Mayerling (1968)
on NEW region 2 DVD
Synopsis: Despite a fine
cast, this take on the tragic love affair between Crown Prince Rudolf of
Austria and Baroness Maria Vetsera is too heavy-handed. Relating the story of
Rudolf's doomed romance with his mistress, which ended in a suicide pact at his
country retreat, Mayerling, director Terence Young's version is both overblown
and overlong.
As the star-crossed couple, Omar Sharif and Catherine
Deneuve compare unfavourably with Charles Boyer and Danielle Darrieux in
Anatole Litvak's definitive 1936 version. The presence of James Mason, Ava
Gardner and Genevieve Page merely adds surface gloss to the slow trickle of
syrup.
Cast: Omar Sharif, Catherine Deneuve.
Runtime:
140 min
*Note: USA and Canadian customers should check their dvd
players for PAL format compatibility. |
