L'Impératrice

What an absolutely stunning series. Everything about The Empress was top notch. From the sets, to the costuming and the acting. It was perfection.

If you love a historical series then this is for you.

I could have quite easily started from the beginning again and gone straight into a second viewing.

I do hope that this series comes back for a second season.

The story is about Princess Elisabeth von Wittelsbach and her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary. Their story is one of love at first sight, however Elisabeth is non conventional and not easily controlled and ready to bow to the rules of being an Empress.

Devrim Lingnau and Philip Froissant have perfect chemistry as Elisabeth and Franz.

Actually all of the acting is amazing throughout this series.

Watch The Empress - the only thing you will be disappointed by - is that it ends.

I never knew this was based on real history so I watched blind not aware of any inaccuracies which I am sure this show has.

I clicked on it because the tag said romantic and 'kilig', I didn't really find this romantic but I ended up liking it anyway. There was some love thrown about, which is what started Sisi's journey to high court, but they didn't really give focus on that. Just a couple of scenes at the first half. Romantic would be something like Pride and Prejudice or Bridgerton. This was more like Downton Abbey or The Crown, where in the drama is the focus.

Given how I went in blind.. I could feel the tension, I was talking to my screen calling them names since I didn't know what was going to happen so that's a plus on my end. It's a slow burn but at the same time as the plot progresses it also felt fast. There's a certain quiet thrill to it. Not high ecstasy action but just "oh no what's going to happen suspense". And it kept my eyes glued.

The costumes were great, idk if accurate to the time period though. They had plenty of color and the scenery was very royal so that's always a plus for me. The ost was fitting, quite regal in feel. Some of the shots they did I thought felt had good direction in showing the emotions like during more tender scenes or when Sisi was having her moments of feeling strained.

I thought the cast were great. Sisi especially had these transformations to her as she lives the life of being empress. Archduke Maxi as well really conveyed someone who knew his role yet wanted more from it.

I just really wish they had more of the love of Franz and Sisi shown because from what I got it was more like a shallow lusting like an initial high not something deep, emotional, and long lasting to warrant holding on to. Then again this is based on real history so perhaps that was all there was of it?

Being a history buff, I was pretty skeptical. All I can say is, don't come to this for the history, as many, many liberties were taken. Come instead for the gorgeous production and wonderful acting. I was hooked after the first episode in spite of my eye-rolling during parts of it. You can't beat Austria for gorgeous exteriors and interiors, and the costumes are breathtaking. And the performances are stellar all around. I loved hearing it in German. Once in a while there's a slangy clunker in the English subtitles (like "okay"), but for the most part the translation seems to flow very well. Can't wait to see more.

The first thing the actress playing Elisabeth does NOT look 16. She's pretty but not drop dead gorgeous like Roma Schneider was in Sissi and she really was 16. The Emperor Waltz indeed was written for Emperor Franz Joseph...in 1889. NOT for his wedding to Elisabeth of Bavaria which was in 1854. And what's with the blonde pageboy hairdo sported by the spurned older sister Helene. And the weird modern dance routine. Wasn't the REAL story of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth interesting enough without these embellishments. And yet all the night scenes lit by torches and candlelight are period authentic and very hard to watch. I will probably continue watching because it's not bad just not great.

The story of Empress Elizabeth of Austria and husband Emperor Franz Joseph, and their families, told in German.

If you don't mind subtitles then it's much better in its original German with English subtitles.. but dubbed in English is available and also good.

While seemingly true to historical timelines and events for these characters from history books, the series obviously takes liberties with the details and is a work of fiction, and definitely feels romanticized.. yet intensity between certain characters well known in history come through, it does at times fanciful considering it's depicting 19th century royal characters and surrounding families, court and villages.

It is quite lavishly presented in costume and production, with great acting. It's a good series. Romantic. I liked it.