Credited cast: | |||
Maria Dragus | ... | Maria Theresia Paradis (as Maria-Victoria Dragus) | |
Devid Striesow | ... | Franz Anton Mesmer | |
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Lukas Miko | ... | Joseph Anton Paradis, Resis Vater |
Katja Kolm | ... | Maria Rosalia Paradis, Resis Mutter | |
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Maresi Riegner | ... | Dienstmagd Agnes |
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Johanna Orsini-Rosenberg | ... | Mesmers Ehefrau, Maria Anna von Posch |
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Stefanie Reinsperger | ... | Köchin Johanna (as Steffi Reinsperger) |
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Christoph Luser | ... | Graf Pellegrini |
Susanne Wuest | ... | Jungfer Ossine | |
Theresa Martini | ... | Catherine Zwelferin | |
Julia Pointner | ... | Hedi | |
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Sascha Merényi | ... | Barths Begleiter |
Attila Beke | ... | Herr 1 | |
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Thomas Anton | ... | Herr 3 |
Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Christoph Bittenauer | ... | Freund des Hauses |
18th century Vienna. Maria Theresia von Paradis, a gifted piano player and close friend of Mozart's, lost her eye-sight as a child. Desperate to cure their talented daughter, the Paradis entrust Maria to Dr. Mesmer, a forward-thinking-physician who gives her the care and attention that she requires. With the doctor's innovative techniques of magnetism, Maria slowly recovers her sight. But this miracle comes at a price as the woman progressively starts to lose her gift for music. Written by AnonymousB
A fascinating and factual look at 18th century (1700s+) European life as we "look" into the life of Maria Theresia von Paradis an accomplished pianist & composer (possible connection w/Mozart) who was blind (or nearly so) at a young age; gains some vision w/the help of the famous Mesmer & his use of magnetism to affect biology. But, at a cost. Acting was superb especially the in-demand actress Maria Dragus as Paradis. Sets, props, costumes, makeup all aristocratically world class. Remarkable look at the extent people went to achieve a certain appearance from wigs to skin emollients many of which were disgusting at least and even poisonous such as lead. Not uncommon at that time because of the prevalence of skin parasites, diseases, and lost teeth. She died in 1824, and accomplished much despite the visual challenges.