Forever in the piggy bank of loved ones When I saw this movie for the first time, I can’t remember. But, I remember exactly, I was amazed at how bright, juicy, colorful it was, as if light were shining from each frame. Years have passed and I want to see it again. And... nothing has changed... it’s been almost 60 years since the film was made, but it’s not out of date! From the beauty of the landscapes is breathtaking, from the outfits, jewelry eyes can not tear, and Romi is gentle, elegant, with eyes that are purer than Austrian lakes, with a mischievous smile, embodied femininity. In her eyes has not yet appeared hidden sadness, which regardless of the roles will be visible after the fateful romance with Alain Delon. She is still a child with the face of an angel. Looking at her, you want to smile, and the plan to see only the first film about the Empress Sissi somehow quietly gives way to the desire to review all three films.
However, it is difficult for me to separate this trilogy into separate films, for me they are a whole. In addition, the Austrians only hinted at how a beautiful real fairy tale ended in a nightmare, and the 3rd part ended before dark events.
I think everyone who has been to Austria knows that Elizabeth there is a national symbol that is found at every step, be it books, postcards, souvenirs, and even chocolate. Therefore, it is not surprising that Romy Schneider, who was loved no less, was chosen for her role. It doesn’t look like a prototype, but it’s also amazingly beautiful, charming, and it seems that any viewer who watches the film falls in love with Franz Joseph, then every Austrian, and then every Hungarian.
Few people do not know that Franz Joseph I, the Emperor of Austria, was actually supposed to marry her sister, and everyone already knew about the upcoming engagement, but he completely lost his head from Elizabeth, and despite all the protests of his relatives, decided that he would marry only her. His mother, I must say, was against - Nene (Helena) had good manners, calmness, gentle disposition, so she chose her as a daughter-in-law, while Sissy was a daredevil - at home she had a menagerie, dogs ran around the rooms, she almost did not get off the horse. But the son did not leave Sofia a choice, for the first time the compliant Franz Joseph went against his mother, and therefore Sofia decided to train the young Empress. The result is broken lives, a ruined marriage, a beautiful fairy tale, which is destroyed by the efforts of a powerful mother-in-law, who was often called “the only man at court.”
A rare story in ancient times is a royal marriage for love and at the same time politically profitable, right? It would seem. But the mother-in-law, presumably, was from the category "there are two opinions - mine and wrong." The conflicts between her and Sissy seemed to be well known. As a result, a beautiful love story ended with Elizabeth almost no longer visiting Vienna, constantly traveling from country to country. Her only son, the heir to the throne, died tragically. It is not clear if he was killed or if it was suicide. Elizabeth herself was also killed. She was killed by a monarchist, who in principle did not care who of the ruling persons to sentence: he was going to kill Prince Philip, but did not have time to plan before his departure from the city, and Empress Elizabeth never walked with the guard, she avoided everything associated with the monarchy, so the choice fell on her. The murderer wanted to provoke a revolt against the monarchy, but it turned out the opposite: he killed the one who did not tolerate the monarchy, was burdened with his duties, and she married not the emperor, but just a beloved man.
But the filmmakers did not make a tragedy out of the film about their favorite, there are only hints about the terrible events in the film (for example, the gypsy does not tell Sissy the truth about her future, only sighing after that God forbid such a fate). As a result, all three parts of the film are more romantic than historical. So I wouldn’t say that this film is more for fans of historical cinema. Not at all. Those who like beautiful love stories that are like fairy tales will also enjoy the film. Especially since it ends before the end, and I'm only happy about it.
The only thing that prevented me the whole film ... well, my skip, let’s say ... in the film the role of Louise, Sissy’s mother, played by Romy’s mother – Magda Schneider. No, she's a great actress, fit in, I won't say anything (yes, I have no complaints about any even episodic actor). But I was haunted by the thought that I would rather see Magda as Sissi’s mother-in-law – the one who ruined her life, as Magda herself had a hand in breaking Romi’s life.
Verdict: look! and then in a few years to see again! and again for sure! Because the eternal classic, and in general, I do not see the shortcomings of this trilogy. A luxurious film with one of the most beautiful women in the history of cinema in the title role.