Why did the Sissi myth come about? When were the Sissi films shot and who were the two main actors in the film trilogy? How was their life?
The Life of Empress Elisabeth was filmed in 1955 , starring Romy Schneider and Karlheinz Böhm . The premiere was on December 21, 1955 in Vienna, directed by Ernst Marischka. The first film was called Sissi . When the film proved a huge hit at the box office , the sequels were made. Sissi – the young empress (1956) and Sissi – 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 visitors flocked to the cinemas, everyone wanted to see Sisi. Romy Schneider’s portrayal of the young and lovely empress created a transfigured image of Elisabeth that did not correspond to reality. It was the post-WWII era and people were starving for an idyllic setting like the one featured in this trilogy. In reality, Sisi was aloof and did not want to be portrayed or photographed from the age of 30. Hardly appeared in public and that’s exactly what triggered the great interest and curiosity of the people. Romy Schneider was born on September 23, 1938 in Vienna . 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. All her life she was on the Sissi films “reduced”, but you also the brought a big breakthrough worldwide 20 years she was shooting flirtation of Arthur Schnitzler with Alain Delon. Because of him she went to Paris, the two became a couple. In 1969 she was shooting swimming pool with Alain Delon. This film was also very successful. When the relationship with Alain broke up after a few years because of another woman, Romy Schneider went back 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 do not want to die down. Karlheinz Böhm, who was born in Darmstadt on March 16, 1928 , had a father in Graz and a mother in Munich. He had Austrian citizenship and was a successful actor, appearing in around 45 films. He is best known and famous for his project “People for People” . In doing so, he helped people in need in Ethiopia to have a better life. He passed away in 2014 at the age of 86 years. Karlheinz Boehm was married four times and left ten children. It is still a tradition today to show the Sissi film trilogy on Austrian television at Christmas. In numerous other films, musicals and books , Elisabeth was memorialized. The myth of Sissi has lost none of its topicality to this day and shows a woman who became a legend due to her unusual lifestyle . She was way ahead of her time and would sure be a successful influencer on Instagram these days. Many also compared Princess Diana to Empress Elisabeth. Both lives came to a tragic end and maybe that’s why we will always remember them. Tip from Sisi’s Amazing Journey: The Sissi trilogy is worth seeing and a must for every Sisi fan.
