Maria Theresa

It is not spectacular but a honest and decent work. The historical accuracy is not the lead virtue but its message is well presented. Its motivational side is more significant than the status of chronic of a remarkable reign. Good acting, the story has more the gift to remind other biographical movies of the last decades. It is a large portrait of Maria Theresa , in basic colors, in nice nuances , so it is not real fair to critic it very hard or to have high expectations. Marie - Luise Stockinger gives a beautiful performance in the lead role but, not surprising, the star remains, for correct image of Eugen of Savoia , Karl Markovics. Short, an impressive "tour de force" of Central European cinematography.

Excellent motivational movie, great actors and great music. If you wish to know what was it that held together the Austrian Empire in the period 1740 - 1918, well you can find the answer in the legacy of Maria Theresia: her faith, courage, honesty, sense of justice, hard work and humanity of Maria Theresia. And the business spirit of her husband, the Duke of Toscany. This movie is a celebration of life and blessings that follow from a pure heart. Watched it already five times. Very witty as well: Maria Theresia "Nobody has asked for my hand yet", the butler in response "Ah, they'll wed you in the end, don't warry your Highness. The red carpet is a bigger problem. It's too short..."

Fantastic European Cooproduction, with excellent story and fantastic European actors from different countries. And the most important: it shows the history and feelings of people, not like the Hollywood bs full from aggressivity and revenge.

Another movie that pretends to be "historic".

The movie and several reviews claim this movie to be historic. In the main lines it surely is, but in all details overdramatized, overheroizing. We see the "so clever" Maria-Theresia teach herself in secret, almost a born genius apparently, highly unlikely to be real. She makes mature proposals about her wedding an must fight hard for the man she wants, in reality there was not much opposition. A kind of affair with an hungarian count, tears and an emotional, desperate appell to obtain hungarian troops, BS, nothing of the sort ever happened.

There is no doubt she was an important figure in the european history. Her major achievements however were several reforms in the state, the army, the education system, the justice, the economy, none of which is represented in the movie at all. Instead we get a view of her rack and get treatened with a lot of footnotes thought to be entertaining. A disgrace. If you really want to know something about Maria Theresia, read in Wiki or in a book.

This is a real annoying and irritating aspect in most of the newer german-language filmmaking. A strong disease called "Zeitgeist" that spreads from Germany, first only in broadcast and newspapers, now having reached also documentaries and the plots of movies and that seems not to be curable. To look at things not how they are, but how they are wished to be by the "progressive" intelligentia, an then sell them as indeed they would be so. Hopeless!

5 stars for production and entertainment, settings and acting, they were all decent and OK, but can't save the production as a whole.

First of all, this movie is not historically accurate, e.g. the real Karl VI. died from either mushroom poisoning or an unknown disease, in the movie he had a hunting accident. If you want to learn about history, better watch a documentary or read a book. This movie concentrates on the person of Maria Theresia, her personal experiences and her feelings. It is not easy to judge the mnovie as a drama. The story largely follows historic events, so there is little room for surprises or interesting side-plots. At the time, people at the court had to act stiff which didn't leave much room for the actors to show their skills. Whenever possible, they did a decent job.

Summary: Not a must see for those interested in the history or those who want to see a good drama, but it's not too bad either. Watch it when you are bored and there is nothing better on.