Mayerling [VHS]

I have been told that the French predecessor of this film is better, but I don't see how. The compelling true story of the downfall of the Hapsburg family is recounted here with an emphasis on the personal tragedy of Prince Rudolph. Here is a man trapped in a loveless marriage, domineered by his tyranical father, deprived of the love of a mother who tries to dazzle everyone, caught in the uprisings of democratic politics, and addicted to cocaine to dismiss his pain. To add to his personal pain, he meets a beautiful, penniless noblewoman, whose family is basically out of favor, and falls hopeless in love. The politics, the personal manipulation, the suffering of the lovers is beautifully presented by MGM in their grand style. Sharif may not be the optimal Rudolph, but who could be immune to Catherine Deneuve's charm. James Mason is a perfect cold and stern Emperor, and Ava Gardner (miscast) fares adequate as the Emperess. It is James Roberton Justice, who plays the Prince of Wales, who steals the movie. His every scene is a joy. The European character actors who fill out the cast do a fine job, and the story unfolds as the tragic love should. Whether you believe that Rudolph killed his mistress and himself, or that his father had the secret police remove him, you will enjoy this movie. Good musical score too!

IN A NUTSHELL: A FILM WORTH SEEING & HEARING

This seems to be one of those movies that is either loved, hated or ignored by movie fans. Interestingly, most of the reviews I have seen make mostly relevant points both pro and con. Nevertheless, I do admit feeling some very tugging emotions during many parts of the movie and not just the romantic interludes between the Grand Duke and his very charming young mistress "Maria Vetsera" played by Catherine Deneuve. There is a sense of real urgency between "Grand Duke Rudolf" played by Omar Sharif and his father "Emperor Franz Josef" played by a convincing James Mason. A "wall" has been built between the two and the Grand Duke makes it clear to his all powerful sulking father that it will be up to him [the Emperor] to remove it. A task perhaps to great for even the all powerful. I find myself wishing for this universal issue between this father and son to be resolved and its possible historic importance only adds to the urgency.

OKAY - THERE ARE SOME ODDITIES ABOUT MAYERLING

Nevertheless, although there is much good to be said for the movie as a whole, it does contain some very difficult to take flaws. Casting aside, the wardrobe department made itself very obvious in the choice of eyeshadows, blushes and hairdos that are right out of the 1960s. This emphasis on the 1960's howwever only affects the women so they seem a bit out of place when they are seen typically with uniformed high ranking officials whose wardrobe is very accurately right out of antiquity. This is a needless distraction that detracts from the exquisitely time perfect sets that are genuine in most respects. Also, Ava Gardner [Empress Elizabeth] seems out of place and there is a mix of foriegn and English actors that are for better or worse ample and very correctly attired.

AH: BUT THE MUSIC BY KHACHATURIAN

The entire film is lifted quite a bit by the very appropriate and well timed saturation of Khachaturian's Best Music from the ballet Spartacus. Most of it sounds like variations from the Adagio movement which is one of the most longing and romantic orchestral overtures ever written and very strongly suggestive of the last vestages of the Holy Roman Empire and this doomed romance which is of course the setting for the entire film.

----- * THE CAST --*

Omar Sharif - Crown Prince Rudolf
Catherine Deneuve - Maria Vetsera
James Mason - Emperor Franz Josef
Ava Gardner - Empress Elizabeth
James Robertson-Justice - Prince Of Wales
Genevi?ve Page - Countess Larisch
Andr?a Parisy - Princess Stephanie
Ivan Desny - Count Josef Hoyos
Fabienne Dali - Mizzi Kaspar
Veronique Vendell - Lisi Stockau
Howard Vernon - Prince Montenuevo
Irene von Meyendorf - Countess Stockau

----- * THE PRODUCTION CREW --*

Terence Young - Director / Screenwriter
Robert Dorfmann - Producer
Claude Anet - Book Author
Michael Arnold - Book Author
Dennis Cannan - Dialogue Writer
Joseph Kessel - Screenwriter
Henri Al?kan - Cinematographer
Francis Lai - Composer (Music Score)
Monique Bonnot - Editor
Georges Wakh?vitch - Production Designer
Maurice Colasson - Art Director
Tony Roman - Art Director
Marcel Hellman - Executive Producer
Marcel Escoffier - Costume Designer
Jacques Carrere - Sound/Sound Designer
Joseph DeBretagne - Sound/Sound Designer

----- * AWARDS --*

Best Foreign Film - English Language (nom) 1969 Golden Globe

BOTTOM LINE:

Sentimental and very compelling period piece with great personalities brought to the screen by great actors. The tone set by Khachaturian's Spartacus [Adagio Movement] recurs thematically throughout the film and seems just perfect for the bittersweet mood of this tragic romance.

A perfect example of Omar Sharif's brilliant acting, I wish we could see him again in big US produced movies to use his rare talent in new movies instead of losing him again to the Egyptian movie producers. In this movies you can see how much this great man can say just with his eyes to his also incerdible co-star Catherine Deneuve, wonderful movie and beautiful sceneries and acting, a must see. would recomend Doctor Zivago and some of his Egyptian movies .