"Sissi - Schicksalsjahre einer Kaiserin" or "Sissi: The Fateful Years of an Empress" is the third and final film from the Sissi trilogy starring Romy Schneider, her mother Magda and Karlheinz Böhm. I watched all 3 films and I must say it should have ended already after the first, or even never have made. It may be an aesthetically pleasing watch most of the time, because costumes, cinematography and art direction are okay, but it's all very pretentious and style over substance. I have no idea why 2 of these 3 films were nominated at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Anyway, back to this one here. The writer and director is Oscar nominee Ernst Marischka once again. The film runs for 108 minutes roughly, a couple minutes longer than films 1 and 2. And with all the emotional pain, they included previously, especially in films 2, this one is mostly about actual physical pain for Sissi. It's all tear-jerk stuff, but never feels authentic and her complete recovery out of nowhere is as ridiculous as the constant comments about how she is possibly going to die while she wanders around carelessly in the castle as usual and doesn't even look sick. The same antagonist (the evil mother-in-law) adds nothing new and Böhm's character apparently being totally dependent on his wife's health don't help either in making this a credible tale.
Other than this crucial plot point, it is also about Sissi being courted by Graf Andrassy. In reality, there are rumors about the two having a long-lasting affair, maybe him even being the father of one of her children, but in here she blows him off instantly. I really hate it when characters are depicted perfect in terms of character and behavior and it was pretty cringeworthy most of the time. Apart from that, this elaboration (and also many other scenes) make obvious that this cannot be taken seriously as a historic film. Another cringeworthy scene was when Sissi tells her mother that she did not ask her to come because of the long distance and the stressful journey for her mother when she herself was apparently very sick. Still 100% altruist, even if she is dying. Well.. obviously she is not and everybody in the audience knows. Schneiders stunning looks are not enough for me to recommend this movie. The fake harmony alone leaves a very negative note. Only recommended if you enjoyed the first and second movie. I already did not like these either, but if you do, maybe you will appreciate this third film as well. For me, it is a thumbs down.
Other than this crucial plot point, it is also about Sissi being courted by Graf Andrassy. In reality, there are rumors about the two having a long-lasting affair, maybe him even being the father of one of her children, but in here she blows him off instantly. I really hate it when characters are depicted perfect in terms of character and behavior and it was pretty cringeworthy most of the time. Apart from that, this elaboration (and also many other scenes) make obvious that this cannot be taken seriously as a historic film. Another cringeworthy scene was when Sissi tells her mother that she did not ask her to come because of the long distance and the stressful journey for her mother when she herself was apparently very sick. Still 100% altruist, even if she is dying. Well.. obviously she is not and everybody in the audience knows. Schneiders stunning looks are not enough for me to recommend this movie. The fake harmony alone leaves a very negative note. Only recommended if you enjoyed the first and second movie. I already did not like these either, but if you do, maybe you will appreciate this third film as well. For me, it is a thumbs down.