The Crown Prince (2006)

A retelling of the tragic love affair between Austrian Archduke Rudolf and Baroness Mary Vetsera.

Director:

Robert Dornhelm

Writers:

Didier Decoin, Klaus Lintschinger

Stars:

Max von Thun, Vittoria Puccini, Caroline Athanasiadis

2 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Max von Thun	...	Rudolf
Vittoria Puccini	...	Mary Vetsera
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Caroline Athanasiadis	...	Female Opera Singer
Gabriel Barylli	...	Miguel de Braganza
Klaus Maria Brandauer	...	Emperor Franz-Joseph
Renate Brandtner	...	Gisela
Andrew Burey	...	Albrecht
Wolfgang Böck	...	Bratfisch
Sandra Ceccarelli	...	Empress Elisabeth 'Sisi'
Julia Cencig	...	Marie Larisch
Christian Clavier	...	Prime Minister Taaffe
Hilde Dalik	...	Anna (at Madame Wolf's)
Stefanie Dvorak	...	Ida Ferenczy
Saskia Fanta	...	Maid Erna
Manfred Feller	...	Petitioner

Storyline

The film recounts the last years of the life of the Austrian Crown Prince Rudolf of Hapsburg until his tragic death in Mayerling. They are highlighted the difficult relationship with his father, the Emperor Franz Joseph, and the affectionate bond with his mother, the Empress Sissi; the failed marriage to Stephanie of Belgium; and his romantic relationships with the prostitute Mizzi Kaspar and the young Baroness Mary Vetsera, together with whom he will die in Mayerling. The film endorses the reconstruction according to which the Archduke apparently committed suicide, overwhelmed not only by a role that weighed and imprisoned, but also from the disappointment due to the low esteem that his father would usually express.

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Plot Keywords:

amour fou | female nudity | topless female nudity | sex scene | mesalliance | 

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Taglines:

Rudolf - The true story of a royal rebel and his tragic love.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Austria France Germany Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 April 2006 (Austria)

Also Known As:

The Crown Prince

Filming Locations:

Austria

Box Office

Budget:

€11,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

EOS Entertainment, MR Filmproduktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

180 min (2 episodes) 180 min (original length) 105 min (TV premiere) (heavily cut)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Max Von Thun is a descendant of Sophie Chotek, the spouse of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. He was a first cousin of his character in this mini series.

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Goofs

When Rudolf is having sex with Maria (Mary), a large tattoo on Max's upper left arm is visible through the poor makeup job.

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Alternate Versions

In Germany, broadcasting network ARD cut 85 minutes, leaving out the plot's political aspects to concentrate on the love story. Being a two-part movie in the original Austrian version, it was shown in one part.

User Reviews

Can't wait!

I can't vote as I haven't seen it yet, but am looking forward to that moment, especially as I enjoyed Omar Sharif and Catherine Deneuve in Mayerling. That was a splendid production.

This production will intrigue me though as the late Empress Zita insisted that they were murdered... Was she mistaken, or is that "truth" being ignored by the producer of this version?? I'm writing a script at the moment about the life of the Emperor Charles, and am making references to this part of the family history, so perhaps I'd better see this before I complete my story!

I'll be watching to see when the DVD is available. Or will it be released on TV in the UK? Can't wait!