Sissi: The Young Empress

Sissi: The Young Empress is exactly the kind of film the title promises. It's incredible how the lead actress Romy Schneider matured after only a year. After the first film, which was "only" a reinforcement of the legendary story that took place before the wedding of Franz Joseph I and Elisabeth of Austria in the years 1853-1854 in the Ischl thermal baths and afterward in Vienna, we now come to the beginning of the discord of the young imperial couple and their duties. In 1855, their first daughter Sophie is born and Sissi becomes actively involved in the Austro-Hungarian Compromise. The fact remains that this was her most important political act, which, however, did not culminate until 1867. We could equally argue about the ideal household environment of the Empress' parents, Ludovika and Maximilian Joseph of Bavaria. However, in the depiction of the situation at the Possenhofen Castle on Lake Starnberg, the late period of the couple, when they were already reconciled, was also appropriately chosen. Despite all the theoretical criticisms, it is thus possible to fully accept this film as a magnificent historical story, excellently shot and standing above all on the great set design and authenticity of the setting. After more than 50 years, it is quite striking that the method of Marischka's work has found a certain, though unintended, resonance only in Coppola’s contemporary Marie Antoinette. In this case, I am referring to the appropriate choice of events from the life of the monarch without necessarily depicting situations familiar from a textbook to the benefit of the main message that even a monarch can be human. Often, they are even a young person with perfectly ordinary worries. The Elizabeth that the opponents of this trilogy are calling for became the Elizabeth in her later years, and if these films only describe her youth, there would be no point in rushing forward and looking forward to her death. It was about improving on all the good things that the first film brought us and even adding something a little extra. The best part was the literal reign of the established cast, who felt more confident and natural in their roles with each shot. Alongside Romy, Karlheinz Böhm also got more acting opportunities, Magda Schneider and Gustav Knuth were simply irresistible, and Vilma Degischer and Josef Meinrad once again made wonderful opposites. (02/06/2009)

Simply put, it is a continuation that carries the spirit of the first film and relies on how beautiful and innocent Romy Schneider is. And it works for the movie. It truly relies on this actress, and once you succumb to her charm, you are lost and will believe that this is a good film. It can touch your heart. Perhaps, even if you are Hungarian. (08/14/2015)