FICTION

Johann Strauss - Der König ohne Krone

Johann Strauss - The King Without a Crown

Franz Antel
The Opera Ball in Vienna. 'The Fledermaus' is back on the boards for the first time since Johann Strauss died. The different periods in the life of the composer are viewed in retrospect by flash-backs, his love affair with the gorgeous Olga Smirnitzky in Moscow, the triumphant success of 'The Blue Danube' at the Paris World Fair in 1867 and the exciting Yvonne, a French woman who inspired him to compose 'The Fledermaus', his bitter-sweet love story with Marie Geistinger, a celebrated prima donna of Vienna and co-director of the Theater an der Wien, his disastrous second marriage with the young and ambitious soubrette, 'Lily' Dittrich, and finally the great and final love of his life, his third wife, Adele Deutsch. For the sake of this love - he was still bound to Lily by the holy vows of their catholic marriage and Adele was the widow of a railroad official, Anton Strauss, and of Jewish faith - the Waltz King affronted Viennese society and also the Emperor. However, helped by Duke Ernst II of Sachsen-Coburg-.Gotha, Adele brushed all obstacles aside. After his personal life was running smoothly, his most famous operetta 'Die Fledermaus' was shown in the Vienna Hofoper. The emperor was present and it was a smashing success. Spectacular biographical film about Johann Strauss.
Technical Data
Running time: 113
Format: 35mm
Screen ratio: 1:1.85
Sound: Herbert Koller
Language spoken: German
Production year: 1987
Credits
Director(s): Franz Antel
Writer(s): Frederic Morton in collaboration with Tom W. Priman, Georg Kövary, Klaus Eidam, Franz Antel, Carl Szokoll
Cinematography: Hanns Matula
Editing: Karlheinz Scholz, Michel Lewin
Key cast: Oliver Tobias, Mary Crosby, Audrey Landers, Mathieu Carriere, Dagmar Koller, John Philipp Law, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Karin Dor, Mike Marshall, Rolf Hoppe
Producer: Franz Antel
Producers: Franz Antel
With
Johann Strauss Film GesmbH & Co.KG, ViennaDEFA Studio für Spielfilm, Potsdam-Babelsberg (D)