Why did the Sissi myth come about? When were the Sissi films made and who were the two main characters in the film trilogy? How did their lives develop?
The life of Empress Elisabeth was filmed in 1955 with Romy Schneider and Karlheinz Böhm in the leading roles. It premiered on December 21, 1955 in Vienna under the direction of Ernst Marischka. The first film was called Sissi. When the film proved to be a great success at the box office, sequels were made. Sissi – The Young Empress (1956) and Sissi – The Fateful Years of an Empress (1957). The film series is one of the most successful German-language film productions and made both actors famous. Millions of viewers flocked to the cinemas, everyone wanted to see Sisi.
Romy Schneider’s portrayal of the young and charming empress created a glorified image of Elisabeth that did not correspond to reality. It was the time after the Second World War and people were starved for the kind of idyllic life portrayed in this trilogy. In reality, Sisi was aloof and did not want to be portrayed or photographed from the age of 30. She hardly ever appeared in public and it was precisely this that aroused people’s great interest and curiosity.
Romy Schneider was born in Vienna on September 23, 1938. Her mother was the German actress Magda Schneider, who also played her mother in the Sissi trilogy. Her father was the Viennese actor Wolf Albach-Retty. Romy later distanced herself from the role. Throughout her life, she was “reduced” to the Sissi films, which also brought her her big breakthrough worldwide. At the age of 20, she filmed Liebelei by Arthur Schnitzler with Alain Delon. She went to Paris for him and the two became a couple. In 1969, she made Swimming Pool with Alain Delon. This movie was also very successful. When her relationship with Alain broke up a few years later because of another woman, Romy Schneider returned to Germany heartbroken. She was married twice and had two children. Her son died in a tragic accident while climbing over a fence. Romy Schneider was found dead over her desk at the age of 43. To this day, the rumors of suicide will not die down.
Karlheinz Böhm, who was born in Darmstadt on March 16, 1928, had a father from Graz and a mother from Munich. He had Austrian citizenship and was a successful actor who appeared in around 45 films. Karlheinz became known and famous above all for his project “Menschen für Menschen.” This helped people in need in Ethiopia to a better life. He died in 2014 at the age of 86 years old. Karlheinz Böhm was married four times and left behind ten children.
To this day, it is a tradition to show the Sissi film trilogy on Austrian television at Christmas. Elisabeth has been memorialized in numerous other films, musicals and books. The Sissi myth has lost none of its topicality to this day and portrays a woman who became a legend due to her unusual lifestyle. She was far ahead of her time and would certainly be a successful influencer on Instagram today. Many also compared Princess Diana to Empress Elisabeth. Both of their lives came to a tragic end and perhaps that is why we will remember them forever.
Tip from Sisi’s Amazing Journey: The Sissi trilogy is well worth seeing and a must for every Sisi fan.
