Sissi - Die junge Kaiserin (1956)

The second in a trilogy of movies about Elisabeth "Sissi" of Austria, the film chronicles the married life of the young empress as she tries to adjust to formal and strict life in the palace and an overbearing mother-in-law.

Director:

Ernst Marischka

Writer:

Ernst Marischka

Stars:

Romy Schneider, Karlheinz Böhm, Magda Schneider

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Romy Schneider	...	Sissi
Karlheinz Böhm	...	Kaiser Franz Josef
Magda Schneider	...	Duchess Ludovika of Bavaria
Gustav Knuth	...	Duke Max of Bavaria
Vilma Degischer	...	Archduchess Sophie, Franz Josef's mother
Walther Reyer	...	Count Andrassy
Senta Wengraf	...	Gräfin Bellegarde
Josef Meinrad	...	Major Böckl
Iván Petrovich	...	Dr. Max Falk
Helene Lauterböck	...	Gräfin Esterhazy
Erich Nikowitz	...	Erzherzog Franz-Karl
Richard Eybner	...	Postmeister
Hans Ziegler	...	Dr. Seeburger
Franz Böheim
Karl Fochler	...	Graf Grünne

Storyline

Through her Hungarian teacher the young Empress Sissi is enchanted by Hungary, a country she has never visited, but feels an affinity with. The Council of Ministers wants to punish some Hungarian rebels, but Emperor Franz Joseph gives all the rebels amnesty, including their leader, Count Andrassy. The Emperor is influenced by his wife, who says that you cannot win a country with force, only with love. The Hungarians are deeply affected by Sissi's love for their country, and want to crown Franz Joseph and Sissi to King and Queen of Hungary. At a big ball for the Hungarians the Emperor's mother, Archduchess Sophie, insults Count Andrassy, by refusing to greet him. Sissi rescues the situation by asking Count Andrassy to dance with her. Sissi gives birth to a daughter, but her happiness is broken, when Archduchess Sophie decides to nourish the baby herself, and takes it away from its mother. Sissi runs away to her family in Bavaria. Franz Joseph follows her, and takes her on a honeymoon ...

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Plot Keywords:

young woman | austrian emperor | empress of austria | etiquette | austrian empire | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Did You Know?

Trivia

In real life, the coronation of Joseph and Elisabeth (Sissi) took place in the Castle of Buda in 1867. However, they could't shoot the scene in Buda when this movie was made because the castle was seriously damaged during WWII. In addition , in 1956 there was a revolution in Hungary against the Soviet regime. This made it impossible to shoot the scene at its original location.

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Goofs

While it is a historical fact, that Sisi didn't raise her daughter Sophie first, it was not done by Archduchess Sophie but by Baroness Aja Charlotte Welden. Unlike shown in the movie she didn't get to raise it.

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Quotes

Duchess Ludovika of Bavaria: Don't drink so much!
Duke Max of Bavaria: You certainly don't worship the ground I walk on! You lay into me all the time!
Duchess Ludovika of Bavaria: Come off it!
Duke Max of Bavaria: Look, Vickie, it's all a matter of destiny. I'm not talking about my fondness for beer, but about our Sissi becoming Empress. Nothing in this world happens without a reason. She probably has a mission to accomplish.

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Connections

Referenced in El hincha (1958)

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Soundtracks

Emperor Waltz
Music by Johann Strauss

User Reviews

Second part of Sissi with a profound message!!!

Whenever I see this part, it seems to me that Ernst Marischka wanted to show Sissi as a gentle woman who is exposed to the hardship of royal life. In spite of the fact that the film is full of sweet images (like other parts) which may seem to some people "out of date", it has a certain message conveyed.

In fact, this part's content is built upon two issues: politics and the family life in imperial palace. Sissi, as a young empress, has to get used to the lifestyle in the palace. She finds it difficult, especially due to the attitude of her mother in law, archduchess Sophie. The problems grow when Sissi gives birth to her daughter and the baby is taken from her. Sophie thinks that Sissi is too young to be a good mother. She has to choose: be an empress and forget about mother's feelings or escape from the golden cage...

Another interesting fact about the movie is the political situation of Hungary. Sissi loves this nation and aims at uniting it with Austria. Obstacles, however, are huge. Nevertheless, she does not give in and, in the long run, her goals are achieved.

I loved the scene when she thinks of leaving Vienna due to family problems, but the Hungarians are waiting for the meeting. She decides to take part in it. Here, Marischka shows the price she had to pay. The duty of an empress is more important than the family, the beloved baby and personal happiness. As her mother Ludovika says to her that she has a duty and has to be strong to fight her emotions.

At the end, I must admit that I cried when Sissi becomes the queen of Hungary, swears to fulfill her duties and the Hungarian anthem is being sung (so much forbidden in the time when this nation was persecuted): "Isten, Aldd Meg A Magyart, Jo Kedvvel Boeseggel..." Sissi cries. This is the love for the nation. This is the right attitude of a queen. Sacrifice even her happiness for the sake of fulfilling her duties.

I love this part of Sissi. It has much to say to our times, in which the feeling of duty and a good motherhood have been distorted and lost. Especially, young mothers should see it. Marischka shows the love of a mother to her child and the love of a queen or empress to her nation.

WORTH WATCHING. CLASSIC!!!

Details

Country:

Austria

Language:

German Hungarian

Release Date:

December 1956 (Austria)

Also Known As:

Sissi emperatriz

Filming Locations:

Atelier Rosenhügel, Vienna, Austria

Company Credits

Production Co:

Erma-Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Perfectone Klangfilm)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1