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Two crown princes, two world empires – and two completely different dramas, fatefully connected to each other: Rudolf of Austria and Wilhelm of Prussia. Both princes suffer greatly from the role assigned to them of maintaining a world that is collapsing. And both endure childhood traumas in their relationships with their parents, which they will struggle with for the rest of their lives. Yet their goals and worldviews could not be more different – the liberal Rudolf has a vision of a united Europe, while the conservative Wilhelm primarily wants to strengthen his own empire and rule authoritatively. A docudrama about two heirs to European imperial houses of the same age, but who follow completely different paths – for one, it culminates in personal triumph, for the other in tragedy.
Status
Released
Original Language
DE

Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria clashes with his father, Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, over implementing progressive policies for their country. Rudolf soon feels he is a man born at the wrong time in a country that doesn't realize the need for social reform. The Prince of Wales, later to become Britain's King Edward VII, provides comic relief. Rudolf finds refuge from a loveless marriage with Princess Stéphanie by taking a mistress, Baroness Maria Vetsera. Their untimely demise at Mayerling, the imperial family's hunting lodge, is cloaked in mystery.

Mizzi Kaspar
A 9th century woman of English extraction born in the German city of Ingelheim disguises herself as a man and rises through the Vatican ranks.