Exoticalot
People are voting emotionally.
MamaGravity
good back-story, and good acting
Glimmerubro
It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.
gavin6942
Historical evocation of Ludwig, king of Bavaria (Helmut Berger), from his crowning in 1864 until his death in 1886, as a romantic hero. Fan of Richard Wagner (Trevor Howard), betrayed by him, in love with his cousin Elisabeth of Austria (Romy Schneider), abandoned by her, tormented by his homosexuality (or bisexuality?), he will little by little slip towards madness.Special attention must first be drawn to Romy Schneider, who reprises her role as Empress Elisabeth of Austria (from the 1955 film "Sissi" and its two sequels). Playing the same role four times? Admirable... not uncommon, perhaps, but it definitely makes it a character you know deep in your soul. Perhaps this story should have been told from her angle?This really is a European epic. The "epic film" seems to be mainly an American thing, or somethings a British thing, but not typically a continental thing. This is the exception, and it really chronicles a man who is no longer very well known. I am not sure why, other than that perhaps the Bavarian monarchy doesn't really resonate with modern audiences. Though many films have been made about Ludwig, the fact remains his bloodline is quite distant from any ruling family.The late, great critic Roger Ebert was not a fan of the film, or Visconti in general. He said of this feature that "the movie is so lethargic and persistently uninteresting" and considered it "merciful" to see it cut in order to avoid endless amounts of "penetrating stares". Ebert may have never come around to loving the film (he gave it one star), but its reputation has grown over the years.Luckily for fans, Arrow Academy has given "Ludwig" the royal treatment. A 4K scan of the negative makes the picture look better than it ever has. And, of course, Arrow packs the film with extras: an interview with Helmut Berger, an interview with legendary screenwriter Suso Cecchi d'Amico ("Bicycle Thieves" and many others). A half-hour look at actress Silvana Mangano ("Bitter Rice") and a full hour on Luchino Visconti.
t_atzmueller
"I would like to remain an enigma; to myself and to others", is one of the most memorable (and cryptic) remarks of Ludwig II, the last king of Bavaria. Whether intentional or not, director Visconti seems to have honored the wish of the tragic monarch. Rather than analyzing the person Ludwig, Visconti focuses almost entirely on Ludwig being a neurotic being, alienated from the real world, living in his own fantasy-land of music and mythology, a classic closet-gay, whose entire existence is overruled by his suppressed sexuality.Arguably there has been much more to the historic Ludwig, which was a very complex human. However, this doesn't make "Ludwig" a bad movie.The movie is carried by Helmut Berger who proved with "Ludwig" that is wasn't only a mere pretty face and the toy of homosexual filmmakers, but that he could actually act formidably (and it's rather sad that his carrier declined rather steep after "Ludwig", coming to a point where he only haunted the tabloids with drunken antics, today a mere wreck and definition of a shadow). Equally strong are actors Trevor Howard as the manipulative Richard Wagner and Romy Schneider, who played Sissy, empress of Austria, for the fourth time and finally got to play the character as a real human-being, far off the schmaltzy persona of the Ernst Marischka trilogy.Further points go to the exquisite cinematography and having filmed on the authentic locations ("Ludwig" was among the last films that was permitted to be filmed in Ludwig's castles, which remain among the most visited tourist-attractions in Bavaria, perhaps with the exception of the "Oktoberfest"). Though Visconti obviously has an eye for the aesthetic beauties of the locations, he manages to build up an almost claustrophobic atmosphere which underlines that Ludwig, despite the splendor and grandeur, essentially built himself a golden cage.On the downside are the other supporting actors, which were apparently all chosen on their physical merits, not acting ability. Yes, we all knew that Lucino Visconti was prone to handsome males, but seeing this parade of handsome youths, one almost gets the idea that Visconti cast this crew in his hotel room.In short: "Ludwig" is often overlong, a tad too colorful and occasionally even boring, but it captures the essence of the time. If you're into overlong, colorful epics that can fill an evening, "Ludwig" is highly recommendable.A word of warning and a recommendation: After watching "Ludwig", I'd avoid the 1993 movie "Ludwig 1881", which again stars Helmut Berger in the title role. While generally not a bad film, it pains to see the almost 50-year old Berger reprising his role as (supposedly) youthful king. On the other hand, if one wishes to delve further into the story of King Ludwig, I can only recommend Hans-Juergen Syberbergs 1972 film "Th. Hierneis oder: wie man ehem. Hofkoch wird". It has likewise been filmed on location and despite being a one-man-show of Walter Sedelmayr as Ludwigs former kitchen-aid-cum-master-cook, it does offer many insights into the psyche of the "Fairy-Tale-King" Ludwig.I'd give it a dashing 8/10
Rindiana
So much could have gone wrong with this follow-up to Visconti's deeply flawed "Morte a Venezia": the treatment of Ludwig II's (dream-)life could have resulted in hokey mystification; Helmut Berger's impersonation could have been badly influenced by the actor's frequently mannered performances; re-casting Romy Schneider as Sissi could have been a mere folly; and stretching the running-time to four hours could have been the nail in the coffin.But miraculously, it all works: Visconti's elegant and empathic direction finds the right biographical tone; Berger has never been better; Romy is simply dazzlingly charming and witty in her second, much more mature approach to the Sissi character; and (except for the bumpy last hour) there's not a single unwanted scene.Plus, Trevor Howard's Richard Wagner is a real treat; the other supporting actors are uniformly excellent; Ludwig's dormant homosexuality is subtly handled; the soundtrack is a marvel and visually, it's Visconti's most impressive work.9 out of 10 moonlit horse rides
Ross
During our visits to Bavaria, we have visited one of his castles (hoping to see the others sometime but only managed to view them from a distance as yet), seen the spectacular stage musical that was put on at the special theatre made for it at Fussen, and I have read a fair bit about him, and I watched this movie enthralled. Ludwig II is a truly fascinating, tortured personality and played so magnificently by Helmut Berger who is so perfectly cast - I couldn't imagine a better performance than this nor a better movie about his life although as I don't understand much German, I haven't had the chance so far to see any other versions.No-one could ever forget, I think, their first sight of his "fairy tale" castle Neuschwanstein (the Bavarian Kinds were the Swan kings). This castle is well known over the world as the castle on which Disney's fairy tale castle logo is based. Inside it's said to be amazing. Ludwig inspires, I think, surprise, awe, admiration, and yet much pity and at times considerable annoyance. This highly artistic and yet emotionally troubled man was not fitted to be a King, much as his close relative and friend Empress Elizabeth of Austria was not entirely fitted to be an Empress and the same at times despairing suicidal tendencies and other problems disturbed them both. Both had difficult lives. Yet it's difficult to know if they would have been any happier as nonenties without the money and position to all too often do and spend exactly as they pleased. Ludwig showered Wagner with money, aiding Wagner for a while to produce some of his great work as the composer was often desperate for money. Is that a good way or a bad way to spend your populace's taxes - on someone who was not even Bavarian yet was a genius? Hard to say.It seems no-one knows for sure whether Ludwig eventually killed himself or was murdered. In the stage musical it is shown as suicide in an incredible scene when nearly all the stage is turned into a real lake into which Ludwig walks slowly to his drowning. At the time we saw this, my husband refused to believe it was really water but must be an illusion. Not so. The Making Of video showed the actor swimming away from the stage lake under water. I haven't been able to find a DVD recording of the show, a great shame, as it would make a fine duo with this superb movie.
