This Tuesday 19th December at 9.05pm, W9 broadcasts the first four episodes of the first season of Sissi, a historical series straight from Germany that retraces the story of the iconic empress.
In the heart of 19th century Austria, Elisabeth Wittelsbach, nicknamed “Sissy”, married Emperor Franz Joseph I. This young woman of noble birth, with a strong character, would then reach the imperial throne.
Under the watchful eye of the strict Archduchess Sophie, and in the context of Austria’s defeat against Napoleon III’s France, Sisi refuses to conform to the strict conventions of the monarchy.
His independent character and rejection of the customs of the Imperial Court made him a standout figure who struggled to establish himself in an environment where every gesture was scrutinized.
who is he with
To play the role of Sissy, previously played by Romy Schneider, the producer called Dominique Davenport, a young American-Swiss actor, who takes on his first leading role here. Her husband, Emperor Franz Joseph I, is played by Yannick Schumann, a German actor whose face you may not be familiar with, having appeared in Enemy Hearts and Monster Hunter. Archduchess Sophie is played by Desiree Nosbuch, seen in the German thriller Bad Banks.
Production was entrusted to Sven Bohse, a regular on the historical series, as he had previously worked on Berlin 56. Elena Helle and Robert Krause were responsible for the script, under the direction of Andreas Gutzeit.
Is it worth checking out?
Sissy’s story has been told many times, with the most iconic version remaining Romy Schneider’s, which continues to fascinate people more than 65 years after its release. Thus, tackling the myth of the Empress was a risky gamble for Beta Films and RTL Deutschland, who nevertheless managed to rise to the challenge.
For this new iteration, series screenwriter Andreas Gutzeit chose to tell a story that is far less slick and embellished than the 1955 version. Realism is the key word in this new adaptation, which is therefore an honorable mention. Placing intrigues in the historical context of the time.
Another very refreshing change: the series is much more sultry than we’ve seen before. Like The Bridgerton Chronicles, which probably influenced the screenwriters, the sexuality of the characters is brought to the fore, from the opening sequence in which an innocent sissy enjoys a bit of solitary pleasure. Way to release the series from the now iconic trilogy.
Even Franz does not lack: wonderful games, visits to brothels, drugs and so on… He spares nothing and that’s good. In the 19th century, a man of his stature rarely had to wait until his wedding night to enjoy carnal pleasure. Yannick Schumann’s Franz is also angry and sane, sometimes bordering on violence, be it psychological or physical, towards his wife.
Apart from this revolution in character building, this 2021 version also shines with its breathtaking visuals. Sven Bohse, the director, offers exterior shots worthy of Hollywood’s biggest productions. Beta Films has invested resources and it shows.
As for the casting, the production has chosen to rest this ambitious series on the shoulders of two actors who are almost unknown to the international community. Dominic Davenport, who had never seen a movie before landing the coveted role, captivates with his big eyes full of innocence and manages to slip into Elizabeth’s skin.
In contrast, Yannick Schumann, one of the hopes of German cinema, offers a nuanced interpretation of Franz that will not convince a few masters. Between them they make a glamorous couple that more than one person dreams of.
If Sissi is primarily a romantic series that tells an epic love story, it remains a fascinating series, very beautiful visually and much more sultry than what we have seen before. It remains to be seen whether the screenwriters will tackle the less rosy aspects of the empress’s story, particularly her unhappy marriage, anorexia and depression, which consumed the empress until she died in 1888.
Source: Allocine
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
