Based on the notorious 1889 romance and murder/suicide of 30 year old Crown Prince Rudolf (Charles Boyer) of Austria and his 17 year old mistress (Danielle Darrieux), this is one of the great romantic films ever made. Before he went to Hollywood to make such films as
THE SNAKE PIT and
ANASTASIA, Anatole Litvak directed this delicate and sublime tragic romance in France and it may be his best film. It's a sumptuous piece from the art direction to the Georges Annenkov costumes to the cinematography courtesy of Armand Thirard (
DIABOLIQUE). Boyer with his liquid sad eyes and Darrieux with her delicate beauty make for a marvelous coupling and that they are both excellent actors is icing on the
gateau. With Jean Dax, Jean Debucourt, Andre Dubosc, Gina Manes and a delightful comedic performance by Suzy Prim as the giddy courtesan who aids the lovers in their deception. Remade in 1968 by MGM with Omar Sharif and Catherine Deneuve in the Boyer and Darrieux roles.
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