User reviews

...while based on a true story it is far from historically accurate. But don't let that get in the way of enjoying a superb drama and beautifully created production. The acting is first class, and the palace intrigue among all the characters ever vying for power and influence maintains all the suspense.

My hope is that productions like these inspire people to do a little research of their own on these characters, and the history of the times. While this drama takes much license with historical fact, the essence of the Emperor and Empress's plight is not far from reality. Far removed from their subjects by tradition and duty, it took great courage to push the boundaries that even to think of doing so people of those times feared would bring their world crashing down were anyone to even contemplate such. The life of a royal was grand and luxurious but steeped in a mystical and suffocating reality. It took ages, centuries, and wars and revolutions to bring change.

It is a powerful and wonderfully executed drama, one well worth your time...and contemplation.

Being a history buff, I was pretty skeptical. All I can say is, don't come to this for the history, as many, many liberties were taken. Come instead for the gorgeous production and wonderful acting. I was hooked after the first episode in spite of my eye-rolling during parts of it. You can't beat Austria for gorgeous exteriors and interiors, and the costumes are breathtaking. And the performances are stellar all around. I loved hearing it in German. Once in a while there's a slangy clunker in the English subtitles (like "okay"), but for the most part the translation seems to flow very well. Can't wait to see more.

The story of Empress Elizabeth of Austria and husband Emperor Franz Joseph, and their families, told in German.

If you don't mind subtitles then it's much better in its original German with English subtitles.. but dubbed in English is available and also good.

While seemingly true to historical timelines and events for these characters from history books, the series obviously takes liberties with the details and is a work of fiction, and definitely feels romanticized.. yet intensity between certain characters well known in history come through, it does at times fanciful considering it's depicting 19th century royal characters and surrounding families, court and villages.

It is quite lavishly presented in costume and production, with great acting. It's a good series. Romantic. I liked it.

I loved the series. The cast is great, the costumes and setting are amazing. For that alone it's worth watching it. I didn't know much about Sissi except remembering my mother talk about the Romy Schneider movie, which was also before her time. Curiosity made me spend the weekend reading about Sissi and the historical context surrounding her life in court.

This is where I think Netflix (or any other production, for that matter) should change - it wouldn't take much to just add a disclaimer saying it's a fictional account based on historical characters. There's nothing wrong with it and it would give people a fair warning when watching.

Again, worth watching.

I am just a gay man with no talent,just opinions. Netflick does its loyal customers a diservice. They get you hooked on a series then do 6 episodes! If they decide to Do more we wait a year or more for more! In this era of tech,audience sampling Do they really really REALLY need to wait to see how many watchers they get in a month before they decide to renew? This was a great show. I just wanted more! It is tough to wait so long for shows we love. Didn't we have to wait long enough during COVID for shows and movies? The Crown and other Netflick shows have proved 10 episodes should be the minimumum.

What an absolutely stunning series. Everything about The Empress was top notch. From the sets, to the costuming and the acting. It was perfection.

If you love a historical series then this is for you.

I could have quite easily started from the beginning again and gone straight into a second viewing.

I do hope that this series comes back for a second season.

The story is about Princess Elisabeth von Wittelsbach and her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary. Their story is one of love at first sight, however Elisabeth is non conventional and not easily controlled and ready to bow to the rules of being an Empress.

Devrim Lingnau and Philip Froissant have perfect chemistry as Elisabeth and Franz.

Actually all of the acting is amazing throughout this series.

Watch The Empress - the only thing you will be disappointed by - is that it ends.

I never knew this was based on real history so I watched blind not aware of any inaccuracies which I am sure this show has.

I clicked on it because the tag said romantic and 'kilig', I didn't really find this romantic but I ended up liking it anyway. There was some love thrown about, which is what started Sisi's journey to high court, but they didn't really give focus on that. Just a couple of scenes at the first half. Romantic would be something like Pride and Prejudice or Bridgerton. This was more like Downton Abbey or The Crown, where in the drama is the focus.

Given how I went in blind.. I could feel the tension, I was talking to my screen calling them names since I didn't know what was going to happen so that's a plus on my end. It's a slow burn but at the same time as the plot progresses it also felt fast. There's a certain quiet thrill to it. Not high ecstasy action but just "oh no what's going to happen suspense". And it kept my eyes glued.

The costumes were great, idk if accurate to the time period though. They had plenty of color and the scenery was very royal so that's always a plus for me. The ost was fitting, quite regal in feel. Some of the shots they did I thought felt had good direction in showing the emotions like during more tender scenes or when Sisi was having her moments of feeling strained.

I thought the cast were great. Sisi especially had these transformations to her as she lives the life of being empress. Archduke Maxi as well really conveyed someone who knew his role yet wanted more from it.

I just really wish they had more of the love of Franz and Sisi shown because from what I got it was more like a shallow lusting like an initial high not something deep, emotional, and long lasting to warrant holding on to. Then again this is based on real history so perhaps that was all there was of it?

The female lead nailed it as Elisabeth! In the series, Elisabeth is independent, nonconforming--a breath of fresh air! She reminds me of Elizabeth Bennett of Pride and PREJUDICE with actress, Jennifer Ehle. Actress Devrim Lingnau captivates and lights up the screen whenever she appears. The script, the acting, the music, the cinematography, everything is a 10! I want season 2 right now! What a GEM!

I didn't think I would enjoy this series as much as I did. I received the notification from Netflix way earlier in the day, but I delayed.

At first I wanted to hear the actors in their native tongue, so I began watching with subtitles. The fabulous acting of Ms. Lingnau caught me off guard, so I switched to the English dub. I'm so glad I did because I would have missed the nuances and the class A acting by her and even from the minor characters. Netflix, please renew this delightful series.

To everyone who's reading this, I highly recommend you watch "The Empress". It is truly tastefully filmed.

Amazing sets, costumes and details! Good acting and casting. Sisi has the looks and sas of Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss. Loosely based on the history of Austria and Europe in ancient times.

I was blown away by the sets, they are breathtaking. The dresses are amazing matching with beautyfull Jewelry. I thought that no one could top the previous Sisi played by the legendary Romy Schneider but Devrim nailed it. With a mix between vulnerability and strength she plays the part perfectly! The entire cast is excellent, they match amazing with their roles.

Must see show and looking forward to see more seasons!

The first thing that I noticed was that "Sissi" who was supposed to be 15 years old, looked more like 25 years old. The exaggerated hairstyles of some of the female characters were entirely out of place. Why couldn't they just stick to what was correct for the period? And that troupe dance sequence?? Sorry, but that choreography just didn't fit either. The same went for some of the female costumes. Why did they have some of the female actors with a fifties cowl-like top to their gowns?

And did someone say at one point, "whatever floats your boat". Really, trying to paste 21st century slang into the 19th Century ! What are the script writers thinking? Or was it something that got badly distorted in translation? Anyway, it was jarring. That said, much of the camera work was inventive.

Like "The Crown" the film has little relationship to the facts and thus gives a distorted view of the period and the real Empress Elizabeth's story. The facts are just as interesting, and in my view, quite sustainable for television drama. When will someone eventually make a movie of the "true story"?

In any future series, I hope the writers, costumers and hair-stylists move closer to historical accuracy rather than continuing to pursue the quirky distortions of the first series.

Season One: 8.5/10

Themes: Drama, Royal Court, Historical, Romance, 19th Century, Marriage, Empire, Love Triangle & Austria.

Review: I'm definitely very excited about this! The first season started out really good and I can already see lots of potential for the future! The characterization is great and has plenty of depth; a lot of the characters already intrigue me and I cannot wait to see what will happen to them. The plot, acting and pacing are also pretty awesome. The only thing I am critical of is the romance: Elisabeth and Franz Josef's connection is weak and almost a bit shallow. I know their love story is supposed to be epic, but I'm not really seeing it. If I didn't know any better I would almost say Elisabeth fits much better with Maximiliaan! But I know that will never really happen... Unfortunately.

Top three characters: 1) Kaiserin Elisabeth, 2) Erzherzog Maximiliaan and 3) Erzherzogin Sophie.

The first thing the actress playing Elisabeth does NOT look 16. She's pretty but not drop dead gorgeous like Roma Schneider was in Sissi and she really was 16. The Emperor Waltz indeed was written for Emperor Franz Joseph...in 1889. NOT for his wedding to Elisabeth of Bavaria which was in 1854. And what's with the blonde pageboy hairdo sported by the spurned older sister Helene. And the weird modern dance routine. Wasn't the REAL story of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth interesting enough without these embellishments. And yet all the night scenes lit by torches and candlelight are period authentic and very hard to watch. I will probably continue watching because it's not bad just not great.

I realize it's not historically accurate, but wasn't completely terrible. I accept it as fiction, loosely inspired by historical events. The actors were good looking, and the sets are gorgeous. The pace is slower than necessary and some scenes drag on forever.

The first 2 episodes were interesting. After episode 3 it got more boring. The last episode left everything open and unfinished. The empress behaved in a completely unrealistic way.

Some of the costumes were absurdly modern and a bizarre mix from different centuries.

The fishnet dress was the most ridiculous.

Helena's short hair would have been completely unacceptable. What was the point of that haircut anyway? It served no purpose.

The wedding dance - I don't even know what that was.

The huge problem for me, a humble history teacher , was to like it. I saw the first episode with high expectation. After the next five episodes, not exactly the dissapointment was the state but a sort of fatigue.

The series has only a virtue - two good looking young actors in the main roles.

And nothing more.

Sure, clothes, rooms, a lot of sensuality but each of them represents only details.

The good intentions are obvious, in same measure than the try to be original, ignoring the historical truth. And maybe , for a large public, it is just seductive entertainment. For me not, especially for bizarre excesses.

But I am real grateful to director for this series. It is an enough motif for appreciate little more its "adversary" - Sissi by Sven Bohse.

Such a beautifully made show. The actors have done a phenomenal job, the emotions and the chemistry is flawless!! The story keeps you hooked throughout. Every episode is better than the next. The cinematography is beautiful too. The dialogues are well written, a lot of underlying meanings. It shows us two worlds, and how both the worlds are so different and equally difficult to live in. Just 6 episodes, we could've done with 8-10.

The last episode just left me wanting more,I cannot wait for another season. A special mention to the costume department, absolute 10/10.

Watch it, I promise you won't regret it!

Love love love this one. Get ready to binge. I don't usually watch foreign flics but I'm so glad I did.

Also, who cares if its not exactly what "actually" happened and strays off historical events? Take it for what it is. A great Netflix series. Its not a documentary.

Very disappointing that only 6 episodes were released and it is one of the reasons I'm giving it an 8. Netflix, please don't dilly dally with S2. I really don't want to wait an entire year. Wouldn't it be great to release 6 more episodes now? Trust me when I say that you would win people over. We lose interest when to much time passes. We move on.

You won't be able to stop. Great ending, which doesn't happen often. Top notch actors with fantastic camera work and directing.

The story of Empress Sisi has been told in various productions from the whimsical Romy Schneider's version of 1955 to a darker version also played by her in Ludvig in 1972. The current version seems to bring us a more rounded, more human Sisi. The storyline provides a balanced view of courtly and private life. The production crew is a most pleasant surprise. It must be congratulated all around, especially for the scene following Sisi's wedding, where she faces her adoring crowd. It is worthy of Visconti evoking a combination of surreal beauty and emerging awareness of her coming role. The soundtrack perfectly represents the mood of the characters and their situation. It summons a sense of foreboding; not is all well in the beautiful palace. The characters wonder how things are outside the palace walls. If only they could speak.

Oh. My. God. This show is SPLENDID. The storyline, the plot twists, the cast, the costumes, the scenery!!! I can't find a single fault with the dark fairytale this tv series is unfolding before my very eyes! A perfect period drama. Bridgerton move over, while I would choose that show for a laugh any day, THIS show is so full of angst and ennui you can't help but hunger for more! A must watch. I sincerely pray there is a second season in which we get to see The Empress bear the weight of pregnancy all the while trying to escape the Imperial Empresses' reach and showing her Emperor that the people want a ruler who sees them. A ruler who is also one of the people. Personable. Empathetic. Gracious. All that the lead of the series embodies between fits of rebellion against the suffocating constraints of her position at Court.

Well, the show is engaging, colourful and fun to watch. Great scenery, good acting, handsome people and beautiful costumes. A fantastic aid for people learning German.

Unfortunately it's about as historically accurate as watching the Soviet army shoot up Washington in WWII.

Why stick to one time period when you can depict them all? A lady with a bob haircut in Victorian times? An inner-city hobo successfully passing herself off as a country countess for months? Sure, why not? The writers didn't limit themselves to one royal court and revolution -- they conveniently combined them all into one series!

Perhaps the second series will introduce something about the real Sisi?

Without much prior knowledge about Sissi and the Austrian state of affairs in the middle of the 19th century, thus little understanding or need for historical accuracy, this series has a great casting, production design and, most importantly, storyline.

The directing is for the most part nuanced and exquisite. Especially the emotional state of Elizabeth ("Sissi") is captured pointedly by diverse and conscious camera movements, perspective, distance and editing.

From extreme close-ups to landscape shots, the well-picked cast knows how to express their emotions and lines through minor changes in eye-movement in extreme close-ups to big gestures. Overall, the cast encapsulates each of their roles quite well, from the boisterous Empress Elizabeth "Sissi" (Devrim Lingnau), the thoughtful Emperor Franz Joseph (Philip Froissant), his envious brother Maximilian (Johannes Nussbaum), stepmother Sophia (Melika Foroutan) to the revolutionary Leontine von Apafi (Almila Bagriacik).

Of course, not all acting was perfect. As usual in many German-speaking productions, some lines and emotions are "over-acted" which probably stems from theatre-acting, where emotions, rhetoric and non-verbal communication are usually exaggerated to reach the audience even in the last rows. This leads to some scenes or lines jumping from a polite and calm conversation to sudden outbursts of rage, which subside equally swiftly.

The Empress was for the most part spared from the most common weakness of high-budget productions: Weak storylines. Instead, The Empress is a slow-burn where most character actions and dramatic developments feel organic and create constant, yet growing suspense of what's happening next. The last, too-soon arriving 6th episode is a perfect culmination of each major character's storyline. Throughout the series there are multiple key conflicts both on a personal level and on a macro-level, involving major political events. This way, there is a refreshing amount of simultaneous developments that keep the viewer hooked. Add to this characters that are multidimensional for the most part and have both likeable and dislikeable sides, and you have a good mix of surprising new developments, while being compassionate for most characters and genuinely caring for their future.

The storyline has, of course, also room for improvement. The macro-scale gets generally less screen-time than the personal relationships and conflicts. The prospect of war, balancing of political interests and capital is only scratched on the surface to the points where it feels as if Emperor Franz wields in fact very little political power. In this respect, it's by no means comparable to political drama television series like Borgen or House of Cards. The political agenda and influence of Emperor Franz Joseph seems to only be the construction of a rail line or mobilization of troops. The repeated theme of the suffering Austrian-Hungarian-people is never addressed in detail. The revolutionary groups seem to have no constructive demands, other than killing all nobles, while Emperor Franz is unable to build a single rail line - which seems to be the only piece of his political agenda. Instead of covering a whole range of political issues, like famines, working conditions, democratic demands, industrialization, civil reforms or discrimination against minorities in the huge empire, the macro-conflicts focus entirely on a rail line and potential war with Russia over 6-hours of storyline.

This is nowhere as prevalent as with Elizabeth. She is very compassionate to the people of his empire and mentions in multiple instances how bad the living conditions are, making her a key identification figure for the viewer. Yet, until the very end, she does not have a concrete political vision and doesn't actively try to involve herself and advocate reforms. Her role and problems remain almost entirely on a personal and individual level. She feels entrapped and wants more freedom. She feels not always heard. She doesn't want to be treated like a child. But she doesn't use her relationships and influence, as her stepmother does, to solve the problems of the masses.

Next to this, the production design is on an extremely high-standard, especially the costume design. The intro is amazing and music perfectly fitting to the current emotional state of most scenes, while immersing the viewer in the time period and creating a unique atmosphere.

It's a great watch, I loved it. But afterwards - because I didn't want to spoil it beforehand - I wikipediaed the characters and found that the story is far from the truth which makes me feel like they have put a lot of false emotion onto history. *note that I know nothing about Austrian history so my understanding is merely through the English language wiki pages. Apart from the divergence from history I think this is worth the watch. I do wonder how season two (if it's happening?) will continue in accordance to historical truth or if it will put false hope onto what is perhaps not a fairy tale.

It is not based on reality. If you can put that to the side, it is really, really good. Good acting, good plot, and interesting characters. Sisi had good chemistry with Franz, but it was almost as if her chemistry was even better with his brother Max, but maybe it was just because he was a bad boy and we all want to see the bad boy truly have a good heart. You can figure that out for yourself if you watch, I won't spoil it for you. For those of you that really dislike woke stuff being shoved at you during a show, you will be relieved to know that this is pretty safe from that nonsense. However, on the last episode, in the last 10 minutes of the show, it showed his little brother putting on a dress, which had nothing to do with the plot, so being non-woke may not last. I know that people did that back then also, so as long as they don't make it a plot point to use to push a narrative next season, then I will continue to watch. Yes, that stuff happens, but if it has nothing to do with the story line, then why show it unless you have other motives? I dunno, I just hope they don't use it for preaching opportunities. I just want to enjoy the series without all that.

Anyway, it was pretty good and I hope it gets another season and it's done well.

Watch this limited series of 6 episodes if you like historic period dramas. Blended with gorgeous sets, good script, great acting. Centred around Queen Elizabeth who by nature is rebel, independent, nonconforming.

My ratings 6/10!

Watch this limited series of 6 episodes if you like historic period dramas. Blended with gorgeous sets, good script, great acting. Centred around Queen Elizabeth who by nature is rebel, independent, nonconforming. My ratings 6/10!

Watch this limited series of 6 episodes if you like historic period dramas. Blended with gorgeous sets, good script, great acting. Centred around Queen Elizabeth who by nature is rebel, independent, nonconforming. My ratings 6/10!

History cannot and should not be changed, even if Netflix thinks it's a good idea to completely warp it for ratings. The Austro Hungarian empire is so grossly misrepresented in this lavish but completely fictionalized account of the love between Franz-Josef and Elisabeth that it drfies any semblance of credibility whatsoever.

Maximilian, the younger brother of Franz-Josef was indeed popular, and there was a rift between the two, but the fictional romance between him and Elisabeth is absurd, as is his olotting to overthrow Franz-Josef who ruled from 1848 until 1916 and was a very strong monatch.

In reality, Maximilian was happily married to Charlotte of Belgium. He served as commander-in-chief of the Imperial Austrian Navy (1854-1861), thereafter as viceroy of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia until 1859, when Franz-Josef, angered by his brother's liberal policies, dismissed him. After a few years of comfortable early retirement in Trieste (now Italy), he accepted the crown of Mecico and ruled there as Emperor Maximilian I. Until his overthrow by Republican forces and subsequent court martial in 1867, after which he was summarily executed by firing squad Elisabeth, who was indeed a love match with Franz-Josef, did indeed suffer under the oppressive rules at the Hapsburg court and was very much at loggerheads with her mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie, but did produce several offspring, most notably Crown Prince Rudolf (who died at his own hand with his mistress Mary Vetsera in a murder-suicide at his hunting lodge at Mayerling in 1889).

Elisabeth was not the utter failure depicted in this production, but rather was instrumental in bringing about the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary in 1867.

Elisabeth was was mortally wounded by an Italian anarchist named Luigi Lucheni while travelling in Geneva in 1898.

With a storyline as provided by history, why was it necessary for the writers and producers of The Empress to come up with this absolute codswallop?

I've given the rating of 3 stars mainly because of the superb acting and lavish production, but don't think rewriting history for whatever reason Netflix did is acceptable or necessary.