Mayerling (1957)

In late 19th century Austria, the rebellious Crown Prince Rudolf (Mel Ferrer) is forced into a marriage of state to a woman (Nancy Marchand) he doesn't love. But several years later, he meets a young innocent girl (Audrey Hepburn) from a good family and takes her as his mistress which causes a scandal that will end tragically. Anatole Litvak directed a French language film version of MAYERLING in 1936 which was very popular and he produces this version which was done live and in color for television in 1957 and he co-directs this version with Kirk Browning. It's a tasteful if bloodless retelling of the tale (it would be remade in 1968). Ferrer does a competent job as Rudolf but all Hepburn has to do is show up to make a lovely Marie Vetsera. I've seen all three versions and I've come to the conclusion that this "romantic" tale of political intrigue, murder and suicide is more sickly than romantic. It just leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Still, for the legion of Audrey Hepburn admirers, it's an opportunity to see her in a rare TV acting appearance, she wouldn't do TV again until 1987. The large supporting cast is impressive: Raymond Massey, Diana Wynyard, Lorne Greene, Suzy Parker, Nehemiah Persoff, Judith Evelyn, David Opatoshu, Monique Van Vooren, Ian Wolfe, Isobel Elsom, Pippa Scott, Barry Kroeger and Basil Sydney.