After two episodes focused on different dynasties, different 'eagles', here were are again with Vienna and the Habsburgs. Yet, it is no fairy tale of a dreamlike wedding of Franz Josef and Sisi, but...perhaps the most tragic event that the imperial couple had to cope with - the death of the crown prince Rudolph and his mistress at Mayerling. Yes, a well known event in history and cinema though a lot o viewers will probably think of the famous movie MAYERLING with Omar Shariff and Ava Gardner. This episode, however, is short of any unnecessary interpretations but depicts the facts realistically. In the end, the viewer comes to the same conclusion as the emperor Franz Josef (Laurence Naismith) - nothing has been spared them, indeed.
Made as a sort of report with the exact time being printed on the screen, the action takes place on three days, rather short with regard to the long rule of Franz Josef (1848-1916) but immense in its impact upon all the imperial court - from 30th January 1889 till 1st February 1889. The crown prince and his very young mistress Marie Vetsera as found dead at Mayerling. The problem, at first, seems to be not that much the very deaths but what acceptable news to spread. The imperial advisors, one by one seemingly dead prince's soulmates, occur to act the way they should.
The drama is mostly presented from the point of view of the mother, empress Elisabeth called Sisi (Rachel Gunrey). Historically speaking, we can say that Rudolph was far more similar to his mother with all the troubled mind, tormented nature, eager to be free and open to novelties, taking liberties with his position as well as the view of Austrian politics than his father emperor Franz Josef. Therefore, the mother is showed as the one who is informed first. Except for many wonderful scenes that Rachel Gunrey has in the episode (we have had so many actresses who played Sisi on screen that we tend to avoid any comparisons), there is one wonderful moment, a scene that is very well written and acted: the meeting of two mothers: the empress and Baronness Vetsera (played by Irene Hamilton). In order not to spoil more, I would recommend a viewer to pay attention to two different worlds that the mothers reveal, no matter of the fact if she is an empress or a simple woman.
A word of criticism applied to the portrayal of Elisabeth is some exaggeration in her official reactions here and there. In many of the scenes, she appears to be extremely official and her reactions are prefabricated. Sisi was not like that. She was far more spontanous, far more unpredictable and it did not refer solely to her youth when she was not that adapted to the court and its requirements. She was like that throughout her life. But, the theatrical essence that we clearly see in the entire series, perhaps, prompted the actress to act the role this way. She is, after all, memorable. Laurence Naismith as Franz Josef looks similar to the historical figure, he is stereotypically at his desk all the time (that is true what we find in his biography - a lot of visitors, when visiting the glamourous Hofburg Palace in Vienna see the desk of the emperor) but the actor is a little pale in his role. An old granny not wanting to hear worse news than he can handle...
The atmosphere of the episode along with some great supporting performances are truly its strength. The aforementioned Irene Hamilton, the great actor Vernon Dobtcheff as well as Carleton Hobbs are just a few names to point out. It is good to view the entire series in its original language as one can hear wonderful British accent. Yes, the events of Mayerling and the story of the Habsburgs appears to be better in German but...as Franz Josef jokes here, it would be a language of command.
In spite of some minor historical inaccuracies, the episode helps a viewer see history in a more dramatic and in-depth manner. Worth seeing indeed.
Made as a sort of report with the exact time being printed on the screen, the action takes place on three days, rather short with regard to the long rule of Franz Josef (1848-1916) but immense in its impact upon all the imperial court - from 30th January 1889 till 1st February 1889. The crown prince and his very young mistress Marie Vetsera as found dead at Mayerling. The problem, at first, seems to be not that much the very deaths but what acceptable news to spread. The imperial advisors, one by one seemingly dead prince's soulmates, occur to act the way they should.
The drama is mostly presented from the point of view of the mother, empress Elisabeth called Sisi (Rachel Gunrey). Historically speaking, we can say that Rudolph was far more similar to his mother with all the troubled mind, tormented nature, eager to be free and open to novelties, taking liberties with his position as well as the view of Austrian politics than his father emperor Franz Josef. Therefore, the mother is showed as the one who is informed first. Except for many wonderful scenes that Rachel Gunrey has in the episode (we have had so many actresses who played Sisi on screen that we tend to avoid any comparisons), there is one wonderful moment, a scene that is very well written and acted: the meeting of two mothers: the empress and Baronness Vetsera (played by Irene Hamilton). In order not to spoil more, I would recommend a viewer to pay attention to two different worlds that the mothers reveal, no matter of the fact if she is an empress or a simple woman.
A word of criticism applied to the portrayal of Elisabeth is some exaggeration in her official reactions here and there. In many of the scenes, she appears to be extremely official and her reactions are prefabricated. Sisi was not like that. She was far more spontanous, far more unpredictable and it did not refer solely to her youth when she was not that adapted to the court and its requirements. She was like that throughout her life. But, the theatrical essence that we clearly see in the entire series, perhaps, prompted the actress to act the role this way. She is, after all, memorable. Laurence Naismith as Franz Josef looks similar to the historical figure, he is stereotypically at his desk all the time (that is true what we find in his biography - a lot of visitors, when visiting the glamourous Hofburg Palace in Vienna see the desk of the emperor) but the actor is a little pale in his role. An old granny not wanting to hear worse news than he can handle...
The atmosphere of the episode along with some great supporting performances are truly its strength. The aforementioned Irene Hamilton, the great actor Vernon Dobtcheff as well as Carleton Hobbs are just a few names to point out. It is good to view the entire series in its original language as one can hear wonderful British accent. Yes, the events of Mayerling and the story of the Habsburgs appears to be better in German but...as Franz Josef jokes here, it would be a language of command.
In spite of some minor historical inaccuracies, the episode helps a viewer see history in a more dramatic and in-depth manner. Worth seeing indeed.
