The Empress (2022– ) User Reviews

Just watch but know...

[shoshanim · 7/10 · 9 October 2022]

...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.

Inaccurate but highly entertaining

[lcantoni · 8/10 · 30 September 2022]

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.

Beautiful series

[TR604 · 8/10 · 30 September 2022]

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.

A fictional account but worth watching

[autexousious · 2 October 2022]

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.

Great period piece..like the Crown except...

[bgoo-19890 · 10/10 · 30 September 2022]

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.

I didn't want it to end!

[destiny_west · 10/10 · 1 October 2022]

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.

If you like The Crown, you'll like this.

[hazard111 · 8/10 · 29 September 2022]

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?

A DELIGHT!

[ForFemmeOnly · 10/10 · 30 September 2022]

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.

Entertaining, yet historically inaccurate.

[thiagosblancos · 6/10 · 4 October 2022]

When I saw the trailer I was, «méh, another Sissi serie», what is new, right? However, to my own surprise I enjoyed it, greatly.

Now, what I didn't like:

• Loosely based on how have been right instead a presenting this as bio, just a couple of things to prove my point.

A) Sissi never felt for Franz Joseph b) Their first night was an embarrassment since it took them 3 nights to actually do the deed c) Nene cutting her hair?

D) A fake noble getting into the court so easily? Yeah, sure... e) We are missing a brother, Archduke Franz Ferdinand's father so that IS important.

• The dresses felt more like Balenciaga material, divine nonetheless than period pieces, same goes for the jewelry.

• The wedding dance was a huge WTF but I skipped it altogether.

Basically, if you manage to stop thinking this is really based on actual facts you would do just fine (Sissi famously never cared about anyone but herself, and Franz Joseph was lenient enough towards her as to allow Hungary to get bigger within the empire, something that did backfire eventually) mostly as I feel about THE EMPRESS, it is nice but even if the take some events from reality into the plot it has nothing to do with what actually happened.

I hope for a second season for it was fine if not perfect.

Great mix between the Crown and Bridgerton

[mdistelbrink · 9/10 · 30 September 2022]

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!

Great camera work but the real story is mutilated

[starps · 7/10 · 2 October 2022]

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.

MUST WATCH

[tanishasha-49258 · 10/10 · 30 September 2022]

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!

Vaguely based on the real story

[qxmbexhxr · 6/10 · 15 November 2022]

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.

gorgeous set design/strange plot

[sofia36 · 5/10 · 15 October 2022]

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.

good intentions

[Kirpianuscus · 23 October 2022]

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.

This is honestly really great and well done!

[Imme-van-Gorp · 9/10 · 27 December 2022]

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.

One of the greatest series out there

[znsfh · 8/10 · 4 October 2022]

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.

Gorgeous Production, Beautiful Series

[Multifocus · 8/10 · 1 October 2022]

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.

A MUST WATCH FOR ALL PERIOD DRAMA FANS

[karapjackson · 10/10 · 4 October 2022]

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.

A historic period drama!

[UmeshAditya · 6/10 · 20 October 2022]

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!

Fictional, but Good

[kattrambo · 9/10 · 2 October 2022]

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.

Fun to watch, just turn your brain off first

[imdb-3782 · 6/10 · 13 November 2023]

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?

Napoleon died in 1821!! Before empress...

[lolipop_big · 9/10 · 5 February 2023]

It's an amusing miniseries, but I'm not sure about historic accuracy. Napoleon had died 30 years before the empress became anything. So I'm not sure how Napoleon has a role in this miniseries. I do think the actors are far more good-looking than the actual characters . But overall, it's entertaining, and has a touch of history. I didn't know anything about sis, so I read about it. Not even sure which czar was in power at the time, not sure if that's even accurate either. It's interesting to see how just 170 years ago, woman were to just bring heir and kids with no power, and how humiliating even Europen courts wear. We have come so far. Live history...

Good but not real

[alicefparker · 7/10 · 16 October 2022]

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.

Devoid of any historical accuracy

[TheLastBaronW · 3/10 · 1 October 2022]

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.