Sissi, l'impératrice rebelle

I saw this film only for Ariell Dombasle. The expectation about historical accuracy was very low, the predictibility of a sentimental story, too sentimental , maybe, very high. And indeed, the dissapointment was impossible in this conditions. Because the story seems a pretext for the classic series about Sissi in other manner. Arielle Dombasle gives her Elisabeth and she does it well , if you do not ignore the long career of actresss, the surprises are far to be existent. A beautiful pink film. And that is all.

Much has been written, and filmed about Sissy the Empress, and Romy Schneider will always BE Sissy to many. However, this new version, a novel, much more realistic take on her life (and times), is in my opinion the most honest, most succinct, and least melodramatic. It's also as devoid of "Sissy clichés" as is possible, and avoids over romanticizing the character, while giving her real humanity for once.

The French-German co-production makes for an interesting cast. Both young and adult Sissy speak French, as does the mature Franz Josef, and most characters. But to Europeans, this is not a problem. After all, in Sissy's last appearance by Romy Schneider in LUDWIG, the German speaking character (and actress) spoke English (only confirmed by reading her lips) but was dubbed into Italian, as the King Ludwig character did as well, though in historical context, the characters spoke German, and Bavaria-style at that. Anyway, on TV the dubbing is not as obvious. And it is mostly shown on cable TV.

That said, the choice of beautiful French actress Arielle Dombasle was perfect, even though her reputation for her roles as a dumb blonde in her younger days may turn some off before giving this film a chance. The other lead roles are also well cast, and mostly French. The cinematography, the locales, costumes, and art design are sumptuous - something which cannot be said of the low budget "Sissy" films of the late 50s. It is definitely a must for European history lovers, and "Sissy" fans. It's a very entertaining biopic and history lesson even for those who know nothing about Sissy, and are not seeking a history lesson. 10/10.

In reality that happened: the royal mother in law and father in law lunched with the couple the day after the wedding and gave her the money in public. This troubled young Elisabeth so much that she never forgot the issue. We must remember she was only 16. She was so embarrassed that she kept a fear for sex all her life. Perhaps this began to appear as a trauma. Also the constant meddling of her aunt and mother in law. As you say, she kept all her children away from her, critiqued her teeth and manners (which she considered inappropriate for an empress), and when Sissi finally went to Venice with her husband and children, her eldest daughter died, and the mother in law blamed her for that unfortunate and premature death. She never recovered.

This was a movie that could have been great if there were not so many unnecessary historical inaccuracies and if the actors had been chosen or made up to look a little more like the real persons (not very difficult). Sissi did not go to Mayerling to see her dead son, she also did not die in the street; they carried her on to the boat and then back to the hotel, which was much more dramatic. I am not sure about the wedding night, but I find it exaggerated that a lady-in-waiting would undress the empress and leave her completely naked (and that in the 1850's) or that the emperor would announce very proudly "yes I finally laid her" to the assembled court. As far as I know this was done right away on the first night and nobody rewarded her as if she were a streetwalker. The saving grace of the movie is really Stephane Audran, excellent actress and true to character.

Sissi may be forever linked in movie fans' memories with young and lovely Romy Schneider in those saccharine Austrian 50s films that made her life seem like a fairy tale. But Elizabeth of Austria's REAL tormented life was far more interesting and eventful, and this TV-made French-German film tries to reassess and de-glamorize the "myth" -- and half-succeeds.

Her life story was so fascinating that we tend to be condescending with the usual clichés that abound in any "royalty" movie, and also to the unimaginative, hurried, obvious direction (the final assassination sequence really sucks and is historically inaccurate, as are other situations depicted in the film). Production values are OK considering it's a TV production, locations are stunning and costumes are fine. The script links Sissi's troubled spirit and soul-searching with then uprising science of psychology, having her undergo sessions to talk about her life. The strict routine of Austro-Hungarian Royalty is glimpsed in some very good moments -- like when Sissi, to her horror, is literally "paid" in golden coins for having consumed her marriage with the Prince (did that really happen? Anyway, the scene works). Or when we see that the main job of some 2 or 3 of her chambermaids is just to comb her body-long hair. Or when we witness her despair as she realizes she will have no say whatsoever concerning her beloved son's upbringing and education.

The film relies heavily on the thin shoulders of Arielle Dombasle: if you can accept her very 21th century facial lifts and make-up as 19th century Sissi, OK. If you don't, it's going to be rougher. Anyway, this miniseries is far from bad and worth a look, if only to get a glimpse of the Austrian Empress's tumultuous life story. Not for historians, though.