Prince Rodolphe : L'héritier de Sissi

The death of Crown Prince Rudolf meant the same thing in its time as the death of Princess Diana a century later. Based on his fate and tragic end, a historical costume film was created, which is not nearly as kitschy as the films about Empress Sissi from the 1950s, but it also did not avoid having a romanticizing and unhistorical approach to the subject. The creators of the film try to build on the legend of the talented prince, who would have been a modern and capable leader of the state after ascending to the throne, but instead became a victim of his position and the pressure from his surroundings. To put it soberly, he was primarily a victim of his health, and today's medicine should be able to provide a specific diagnosis for his mental state. He would have struggled with his high state position, and there is not much mystery surrounding his suicide. The Crown Prince, whether in terms of script quality or acting performances, is easily forgettable. Overall impression: 35%. The film can only please with shots of elegant costumes and historical buildings of its era. (14/08/2008)

A very good treatment of the Mayerling tragedy. It’s realistic, factual, and very inspiring. The film also includes the chapter on the prince's encyclopedia on the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the Prague chapter, and anything of substance that had a significant impact on the portrayal of the prince's character. It’s an ideal choice for those interested in the fate of the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty. Among the older stars, the film features Omar Sharif, who played the lead role in Mayerling from 1968, this time as the prince's teacher, and Klaus Maria Brandauer as Franz Joseph I, who fits perfectly into the collection of TV-movie monarchs. (30/06/2014)