Kronprinz Rudolfs letzte Liebe (1956)
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Directors
Cast
Rudolf Prack, Christiane Hörbiger, Winnie Markus, Lil Dagover, Erik Frey, Attila Hörbiger
At an icy imperial court, Crown Prince Rudolf finds new hope in Mary von Vetsera, but their love is hemmed in by courtly constraints and a failing marriage.
The story
The film opens with Crown Prince Rudolf’s solemn funeral in 1889, then looks back on his life at an icy imperial court. His father, the Emperor, keeps his every move under watch, and Rudolf is estranged from his wife, Stephanie. Though reluctant to join Archduke Johann Salvator and the Hungarians in overthrowing his father, Rudolf’s world changes when his cousin Countess Larisch introduces him to Mary von Vetsera. The naïve young woman brings warmth back into his life, and he wants to marry her. But his attempt to have his marriage annulled meets an unanswered appeal to the Pope, leaving the couple’s future uncertain.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film begins with the grand and solemn funeral of Crown Prince Rudolf in 1889. A look back at his life, however, reveals an icy atmosphere at the imperial court. The Emperor has every move the Crown Prince makes watched, while Rudolf has long since grown estranged from his wife, Stephanie. Yet Rudolf is reluctant to join Archduke Johann Salvator and the Hungarians in overthrowing his father. Then Rudolf’s cousin, Countess Larisch, introduces him to Mary von Vetsera, the daughter of her friend Helene von Vetsera, and the naïve young woman brings life once more to the Crown Prince’s frozen world. He wants to marry her, but his petition to the Pope to annul his marriage goes unanswered. Rudolf falls into depression and eventually recognizes that his life has become hopeless. Accompanied by his loyal coachman, Bratfisch, and his beloved, who agrees to follow him anywhere, he goes to Mayerling Castle. There, Bratfisch plays the zither for the silent couple. Then he leaves, and a little later the lovers go to their deaths together.
Genres
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