Sissi

The film is based on Empress Elisabeth of Austria, Sissi, a bavarian princess who falls in love and marries Emperor Franz Joseph, but finds the rigid world of the austrian court a challenge. Amid palace intrigues and family pressures, Sissi's independent spirit makes her a beloved figure among the people. Due to its success, the film started a trilogy, Romy Schneider established herself as one of the most beloved actresses in Europe and the film became a classic of Austrian cinema.

After her wedding, Sissi begins a new life as Empress of Austria, but the strictness of protocol and above all the relationship with her mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie, make this new stage in her life quite difficult. When Sissi's daughter is born, Sophie objects to the child being raised by her mother because of her supposed inexperience, and the family scandal explodes when Sissi leaves Vienna to visit her parents. This second part of the Sissi trilogy was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

The young Empress Sissi is staying at the Gödölle Palace in Hungary with her little daughter and some court people. Here she can be herself, liberated from all the strict court rules in Austria. She spends her days with Count Andrassy, riding in the woods. At a ball in his castle he declares his love for her. Because of this Sissi feels forced to break her relationship with him, and moves back to Vienna. It is soon discovered that she is seriously ill with tuberculosis. Dr. Seeburger doesn't think she will survive the winter, but a change of climate might help. After some months on Madeira Sissi's illness is even worse. Her mother, Duchess Ludovika, then decides to go to Madeira to help Sissi recapture the joy of life. When Dr. Seeburger examines Sissy at Corfu several months later, he finds her fully recovered. The Austrian ministers suggest that Emperor Franz Joseph should combine his reunion with Sissy with an official visit to Lombardy-Venetia. Austria is much hated there, but needs a good relationship with this country. The ministers think that Sissi can bring forth a miraculous change of sentiments in Lombardy-Venetia, just as she did in Hungary.