Vienna, 1854. Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph is to marry his cousin Helene of Bavaria. The marriage is arranged, as is customary. But he fell in love at first sight with his fiancée’s younger sister, Elizabeth, then aged 16. Normally a disciplined son, he defies his mother Archduchess Sophie and demands to marry “Sisi”. The Archduchess needs an alliance with Bavaria. One niece is as good as the other… But the young woman’s fiery, independent temperament soon causes problems! Elizabeth refused to bow to courtly customs, became depressed and escaped a life too regulated by indulging in the evening pleasures of her brother-in-law, the debauched Maximilian. Despite Franz’s patient love, the young empress no longer knows who she is. Caught up in the turmoil of international conflict and internal unrest, she chooses to turn to the people.
When a love story meets History
The series remains faithful to historical reality. The costumes and sets are superb. The protagonists’ personalities and complex relationships are well described. At the dawn of the 20th century, Europe was in turmoil. A wise and enlightened emperor, Franz seeks to combat the immobility of his family (perhaps the reason why Sisi seduced him). He refuses to give in to the temptation of war, but wants to finance rail infrastructure instead. The series revolves around the young couple’s complicated romance, but it doesn’t neglect to describe life at court and the life of the common people. Very interesting!
2 seasons, 12 episodes (55 mn), 2022 – ongoing, on Netflix
WITH : Devrim Lingnau as Elisabeth von Wittelsbach, Philip Froissant as Franz Joseph, Melika Foroutan as Sophie, Johannes Nussbaum as Maximilian, Elisa Schlott as Helene in Bavaria, Jördis Triebel as Ludovika, Almila Bagriacik as Leontine von Apafi, Hanna Hilsdorf as Amalia, Runa Greiner as Charlotte, Andreas Döhler as Maximilian (Duke in Bavaria, father of Sisi), Wiebke Puls as Countess Esterházy.