Ludwig

Ludwig (German: Ludwig II.) is a 1973 epic biographical drama film co-written and directed by Luchino Visconti. The film stars Helmut Berger as King Ludwig II of Bavaria and Romy Schneider as Empress Elisabeth of Austria, along with Trevor Howard, Silvana Mangano, Helmut Griem, and Gert Fröbe. It is the third and final part of Visconti's "German Trilogy", following The Damned (1969) and Death in Venice (1971). An international co-production by Italian producer Ugo Santalucia and West German producer Dieter Geissler, Ludwig was one of the most expensive European films at the time, and was a moderate success in its home territories, but was more lukewarmly received in the United States, where a heavily truncated 177-minute version was released. It was filmed in Munich and surrounding parts of Bavaria, and at Cinecittà Studios. Ludwig won two David di Donatello Awards, for Best Film and Best Director, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design. Berger and Schneider both received German Film Award nominations for their acting, and Berger won a "Special David di Donatello" for his portrayal of the King.