The Sissi Collection

"The Sissi Collection" is an absolute cinematic treasure, featuring the timeless talent of Romy Schneider and the visionary direction of Ernst Marischka. This box set, which includes the beloved Sissi trilogy and Schneider's earlier film, "Victoria in Dover," is a five-star gem that showcases the beauty of classic cinema.Romy Schneider's portrayal of Empress Elisabeth of Austria is nothing short of iconic. Her grace, charm, and emotional depth bring the character to life in a way that has left an indelible mark on film history. Schneider's performance is a testament to her acting prowess, making it impossible not to fall in love with the enchanting world of Sissi.Ernst Marischka's direction in the Sissi trilogy is a masterclass in storytelling and cinematography. He transports the audience to a bygone era of grandeur and romance, with stunning visuals and a captivating narrative that unfolds over the course of the three films. The box set allows viewers to immerse themselves fully in the captivating world of Sissi and appreciate Schneider's evolution as an actress."Victoria in Dover," a precursor to the Sissi films, offers a unique glimpse into Schneider's early career and her ability to shine even in her formative years. Her portrayal of Britain's Princess Victoria foreshadows the greatness that was to come in her iconic role as Empress Elisabeth.The Sissi Collection is not just a box set; it's a cinematic journey through time, offering a glimpse into the golden age of film. Whether you're a long-time admirer of Romy Schneider's work or discovering it for the first time, this collection is a must-have. It's a celebration of classic cinema and the enduring appeal of romance and royalty. "The Sissi Collection" is a five-star masterpiece that deserves a place in every film lover's collection.

[Note: This review is of the Blu-ray edition; this is also a "verified purchase," but was a gift, so my name does not appear on the original Amazon order.]I have long been fascinated with the later history of the Hapsburg monarchy, of the problematic marriage between Franz Josef and Elisabeth, and the tragedy of Mayerling. This series presents a rather whitewashed version of historical events; a friend of mine who lived in Vienna told me that Austrians think of these films less as history and more as light entertainment, sort of the way Doris Day movies are perceived by Americans. They are also the films that are credited with making Romy Schneider a star, and deservedly so. The historical Elisabeth was widely regarded as the most beautiful woman in Europe, and Schneider's radiant beauty does her full justice. So if you're willing to set aside any expectations of probing psychology and historical details, you can derive an enormous amount of pleasure from these sumptuously filmed excursions into the world of Austrian royalty. I have had the complete set first on VHS, then on DVD and now, finally, on breathtakingly restored Blu-ray. The visuals are absolutely sumptuous, with magnificent costumes and Austrian scenery, and most of the interiors were filmed in actual Viennese locations. Some of them are not the true locations--for instance, the church in which we see Sissi and Franz get married in the first film is not the Augustinerkirche where the historical event took place, but rather the nearby St. Michael's, which is surprisingly used again in the second film as the site of the royal couple's coronation in Hungary. These minor lapses aside, the clarity of the visuals and extraordinary detail make every scene a treat for the eyes, and the soundtrack is in excellent fidelity, showcasing Anton Profes's lush romantic score. Some of the music he has selected is anachronistic, featuring waltzes by Johann Strauss, Jr., that hadn't actually been composed at the time of the events portrayed, but that's neither here nor there; they wonderfully evoke the fantasy of what we would all like to think the imperial lifestyle should have been. An unexpected feature of the set is that the films can be viewed either in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio, or in 1.78:1 wide-screen. Normally I would not be a fan of such "conversion"; obviously something is lost at the top and the bottom of the screen when you try to fill a wide screen with a movie that was not filmed in a widescreen format, but it has been so skillfully edited that you do not notice anything awry in the widescreen versions; the tops of heads are not cut off, vital visual elements are not missing, and the high-definition image makes it look as though the series was actually filmed in widescreen yesterday rather than 60 years ago. I can honestly say I have never enjoyed these films more or been more involved in the story than while watching these incredible faux widescreen adaptations. And for purists, of course, the original aspect ratio is also an option. Life in 19th=century Vienna could be dark and grim, a place where every silver lining seemed to have a cloud. But if you want to travel to the fantasy operetta Vienna in which everything is gilded opulence, whipped cream and prancing Lipizzaner horses, these delightful entertainments will take you there.

I’ve known the original, three part version from my childhood. I was delighted to get a hold of the DVD version. I love that there is an English dubbed version, although it is the one where they combined the three and took out several scenes (side stories). This way we have one version that is a reasonable length and English speaking.The storyline, the actors and actresses are extremely lovable. There is humor, kindness, beauty and history through and through. As a Hungarian descendant I love the way Sissi is portrayed. My daughters (6-7) enjoy the princess story and I don’t have to skip any scenes. Perfectly family friendly!