Mayerling (1936 film)

Mayerling
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Anatole Litvak
Produced by	Seymour Nebenzal
Written by	Claude Anet (book) Joseph Kessel Irma von Cube
Starring	Charles Boyer Jean Dax Jean Debucourt Marthe Regnier Danielle Darrieux Suzy Prim
Music by	Arthur Honegger
Cinematography	Armand Thirard
Edited by	Henri Rust
Production company	Nero-Film Mercury Films
Distributed by	Pax Films (US)
Release date	29 February 1936 (France) 13 September 1937 (US)
Running time	95 minutes
Country	France
Language	French

Mayerling (1936) is a French historical drama film directed by Anatole Litvak and produced by Seymour Nebenzal from a screenplay by Marcel Achard, Joseph Kessel, and Irma von Cube, based on the 1930 novel Idyll's End by Claude Anet.

The film stars Charles Boyer and Danielle Darrieux with René Bergeron, Jean Davy, Jean Dax, Jean Debucourt and Gabrielle Dorziat, and Jean-Louis Barrault in a bit part. The film is based on the real-life story of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria, his affair with the 17-year-old Baroness Maria Vetsera and their tragic end at Mayerling.

The film was remade in English and in color by MGM in 1968. The remake starred Omar Sharif, Catherine Deneuve, James Mason and Ava Gardner.

Vienna is disturbed by protestors agitating for political change. Crown Prince Rudolph is arrested at a meeting. His father Emperor Franz Joseph insists he get married and settle down. Rudolph reluctantly agrees.

Five years later, Rudolph has become an unhappy playboy. On the night of his wedding anniversary he meets Baroness Marie Vetsera and they fall in love.

A restored DVD was issued in the U.S. by The Criterion Collection (Essential Art House) on September 15, 2009.