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Mayerling

Mayerling

Drama · Romance · History · 1968

Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria clashes with his father, Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, over implementing progressive policies for their country. Rudolf soon feels he is a man born at the wrong time in a country that doesn't realize the need for social reform. The Prince of Wales, later to become Britain's King Edward VII, provides comic relief. Rudolf finds refuge from a loveless marriage with Princess Stéphanie by taking a mistress, Baroness Maria Vetsera. Their untimely demise at Mayerling, the imperial family's hunting lodge, is cloaked in mystery.

Movie details

Mayerling

“No one woman could satisfy him...until he fell in love.”

1968 Drama · Romance · History 2h 20m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.2 / 10

Community rating

Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria clashes with his father, Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, over implementing progressive policies for their country. Rudolf soon feels he is a man born at the wrong time in a country that doesn't realize the need for social reform. The Prince of Wales, later to become Britain's King Edward VII, provides comic relief. Rudolf finds refuge from a loveless marriage with Princess Stéphanie by taking a mistress, Baroness Maria Vetsera. Their untimely demise at Mayerling, the imperial family's hunting lodge, is cloaked in mystery.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Mayerling?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Terence Young

Written by

Terence Young

Omar Sharif

Omar Sharif

Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria

Catherine Deneuve

Catherine Deneuve

Baroness Mary Vetsera

James Mason

James Mason

Franz Joseph I of Austria

Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner

Empress Elisabeth of Austria

James Robertson Justice

James Robertson Justice

Prince of Wales

Geneviève Page

Geneviève Page

Countess Marie Larisch von Moennich

Andréa Parisy

Andréa Parisy

Princess Stéphanie

Court is in session

Put Mayerling on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Sincerity is not manipulation.”

The film risks embarrassment to make emotion communal, and that openness is harder than fashionable detachment.

The prosecution The Adrenaline Seeker

“The strings are showing.”

Every cue tells you exactly what to feel and when, leaving sentiment to do the work character should have done.