Private Vices, Public Virtues
The son of Emperor Franz Josef of Austria, Crown Prince Rudolf, is believed to have shot himself and his fan in a tragic suicide pact in 1882. Because of Imperial coverups, the full story may not be known. This story was filmed a few days, in French in 1935 and in English in 1968. Director Miklos Jancso recreates those events because of his own purposes, continuing his favored theme of paternal authority's rejection. In the movie, which has very little dialog, Rudolf can be a goodnatured pan sexual GoldenBoy, that cavorts with a plethora of aristocratic lovers and friends of both sexes on his estate. He won't leave his country idyll although he has been ordered to his daddy. Despite the undeniable fact for a huge region of the film, attractive younger individuals go about unclothed and engaging in experiences, the mood is certainly one of depression rather than prurience.
Released: 1976-05-06