Original subtitles

[old man] Do you already know?

Er, no.

[exhales deeply]

Oh, no.

Elisabeth.

Mmm.

-[footsteps approaching] -Mmm.

[door opens]

-[Gisella] Father? -[footsteps approaching]

Who are you talking to?

[Franz] Uh…

Uh, do you have the newspapers?

-Your Majesty. -Yes.

-Bring the papers for my father. -[valet] Certainly.

It is hot in here. The emperor needs fresh air.

Yes, Your Imperial Highness.

[birds chirping]

-Has he had his medicine this morning? -Yes, Your Imperial Highness.

[Franz] It just won't stop.

This war, it destroys everything. Everything.

[coughing]

The court physician will listen to your lungs, Father. Rest now.

I did not prevent it. I did not prevent the war.

Calm yourself, Father.

[wheezing]

Gisella.

Would you please… call Elisabeth in here?

I want to know what she has to say.

Mother is here no more, Father.

[breathing deeply]

I was not always good to her, in all honesty.

[breathes deeply]

He was destined to wed another.

But he only wanted her.

[sombre music playing]

"Elisabeth or no one," he said.

You mean… you only wanted her.

[sighs]

Father?

[theme music playing]

[theme music fades]

[carriage approaching]

[horse neighing]

-[knocking on door] -[door opens]

[Theo] Your Majesty.

The Empress has just arrived.

Very good.

Then bring her straight here to see me.

Yes, Your Majesty.

-Your Majesty, welcome back. -Thank you, Theo.

His Majesty awaits you upstairs.

I wish to change first. Could you tell him that?

[Theo] He wishes to see you at once, Your Majesty.

Of course.

[footsteps approaching]

[Theo] Her Majesty the Empress.

I trust that you had a good journey back home.

I came here as fast as I could.

I am very sorry about what happened.

What are you sorry about?

The battle we lost against Prussia.

The soldiers we have lost.

And that's why you came home?

Yes, I wanted to be with you.

And stand by you with our people.

[breathes deeply]

You do a lot for our people, I know that.

And the Hungarians…

You gave all of yourself to them.

You were seen, Elisabeth.

There is a detailed report.

Two days, one night with Count Andrássy. A cabin in the forest north of Buda.

Sounds delightful.

Is it true?

Yes.

And I was going to tell you about it.

[scoffs]

How considerate.

I'm grateful.

I spent those days with him.

But now I am here.

You're lying.

You had already met with the Count.

Back when you were travelling.

And you have been in contact with him through your reader since.

-Is that correct? -No, you don't understand.

You have been betraying me with him for years.

All your dedication to Hungary was nothing but a sham.

It was anything but a sham. I believe in Hungary.

The affair between Count Andrássy and I only started in the last weeks.

And while I was on the battlefield!

You sought out another woman

when I couldn't give you what you wanted any more.

And you summoned her to you again and again.

-I had no feelings for her. -You had children with her!

Why can I not follow my yearnings like you did?

It is not the same for a man as it is for a woman. Those are the rules.

-And I object. -You are not allowed to object.

You have been permitted many indulgences.

Those that other men would never have allowed.

[breathing shakily]

You wanted me because I am different.

[pensive music playing]

Except, really, you hate it.

I can be unconventional,

but only if no one sees.

I am allowed an opinion,

but only if no one can hear it.

You kept me in a little box, Franz.

And with him, for a moment, I was free.

Hungary is the victim.

No constitution,

no self-determination,

no freedom.

And you have made sure of that.

They will submit to Austria, as has always been the way.

Or they will burn.

Your Andrássy.

Everyone who knows him.

All of Hungary will burn.

You do not mean that.

Theo!

[dramatic music playing]

[door opens]

[breathing heavily]

[door closes]

[footsteps approaching]

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

Does the Emperor know?

What did he say?

[footsteps approaching]

Seize it all. Anything related to Hungary.

No! Wait, sir!

Step aside, please.

This constitutes all of our work.

Everything Hungarian must go.

-[books thudding] -[drawer opening]

Should that include you?

[Pauline] Stop that at once! That belongs to Her Majesty.

[Konstantin] His Majesty has decreed

that the Empress is not to leave her chambers without his permission.

She will remain here until further notice.

May I see our children?

[Konstantin] For the next week they'll stay at the Laxenburg residence.

Under supervision.

If the Prussians marched on Vienna,

the Emperor wants them there to protect them.

Your Majesty.

[footsteps receding]

Could you all leave, please?

Your Majesty.

[door closes]

[sombre music playing]

[Elisabeth sobbing]

Tell me, what did you think would happen then?

[music fades]

Every weekend of amusement in the woods must have its price.

I knew you would not understand.

I had to marry a man whose touch made me feel sick.

And, as you can imagine, my needs were not met.

I could have helped you.

We could have found you a stable boy or a riding instructor.

But you chose that criminal…

Elisabeth.

Our worst enemy.

Wash yourself, ask for forgiveness,

and look to the future.

[birds chirping]

[Marie] I will find support in Europe.

Have faith in me.

I signed a contract saying my brother will not support us, as you well know.

Napoleon has sent two thirds of his troops back to Europe.

We still have more men than Juárez.

He will run out of resources if we bide our time.

And then I will make him my prime minister, Marie.

And then peace will finally come.

-Yes, it is destiny. -It is destiny.

So why must I go?

Because it is safer for you.

For you and the future emperor.

-After our child is born, you will return. -[Marie] Or you come with me.

If I left our people to civil war, what kind of emperor would I be?

Right.

Smissen?

Please look after my wife and…

our child.

Of course, Your Majesty.

[horse neighing]

[pensive music playing]

[Maximilian] Marie!

You are mine.

[laughs]

[sniffles]

[music fades]

[General] In the north, we have lost Tampico to the rebels.

In the east, Río Frío remains impassable.

So our access to the port in Veracruz is cut off.

Access to it is essential. Where do negotiations stand?

Your Majesty, Juárez has no reason to parlay with you.

His rebel forces are gaining more and more land.

That is down to your incompetence, General, not mine.

Instead of executing the rebels when we still had the upper hand,

you, Your Majesty, pardoned them.

Because I do not wish to rule against their will.

It is time for us to contact Vienna and ask them for their support.

No. Have you another idea?

You can abdicate.

Abdicate.

-Crown's mine. -Then we need the Emperor's help.

[shouting] I am the Emperor!

These people need me.

And I have an idea for this land.

A vision. And that is what you all lack!

This is not about your visions. It's about weaponry.

Silence!

I do not need you.

Out.

[José] I believe in your ideas, Your Majesty.

Do not lose heart.

[crickets chirping]

Will you help me, Franz?

[sombre music playing]

-Your Majesty? -Shh.

I am speaking with my brother.

What did you say, Franz?

You will send me troops,

and I should bring you 40 parrots in exchange?

[laughing] That is asking a bit much, would you not say?

Will you write to your brother, after all?

[breathes deeply]

[drink pouring]

Why will Juárez not accept my offer?

Being my prime minister, it is a very good offer. The best.

Juárez says we Mexicans must govern this country on our own.

It is our country.

Your country?

Whose land is this, really?

The French kill you. You are the descendants of the Spanish.

The Spanish, in turn, killed the Aztecs, and the Aztecs took this land from…

Mother Nature? Animals? That is how it was.

Who really owns this country?

You, José?

Your people?

Why not me?

I am here now, José.

Because destiny so wished.

And because I want the best things for this country.

You have made many significant changes.

You gave the land back to the peasants, you refused to pay Napoleon's taxes, but…

It does not suffice.

It is not enough, whatever I try.

I have tried with love, over and over again!

With freedom and graciousness!

Then is the general right?

[melancholy music playing]

Mercy is not the right remedy here.

Write this down.

"Anyone…

[pen scratching]

…who joins forces with Benito Juárez's cause,

or who shows no loyalty to the Emperor,

will be under the sentence of death and executed forthwith."

[music ends]

Why are you looking at me like that?

Write it down.

[music resumes]

[music fades]

[Elisabeth] The colour is just right.

[footsteps approaching]

You paint so beautifully.

Your Majesty.

The Crown Prince must return to the Major General.

What, so soon?

On the Emperor's orders.

But I don't want to.

Go.

I will see you at dinner tonight. Yes?

Father says Rudolf must go to military school.

So he can learn how to rule well.

That is true.

And Father says that a good ruler should think about others first.

And that is true.

I know that you did Father such a great harm

because you only thought of yourself.

It was not like that.

Gisella.

Gisella!

-[cutlery clinking] -[bell rings]

-[knocking on door] -[door opens]

Your Majesty. Forgive me.

I explained to the Empress that Your Majes…

I will have a brief word with him.

Now stand aside.

Elisabeth.

If you no longer wish to see me, I will not force you.

So what are you doing now?

We are still the Emperor and Empress of Austria.

-We need to talk about Hungary. -[scoffs]

Ah, Hungary.

Naturally.

Do not punish your people for how we have hurt each other.

If you had really wanted to help them,

then you surely wouldn't have slept with an enemy of the state.

He is only our enemy because you made him into one.

Please escort the Empress to her chambers.

I know what happened in Arad back then.

At the end of the war.

In Hungary.

[breathes deeply]

I know you had his comrades hanged after they had surrendered.

-Enough! -It is not enough.

This person is not you, Franz.

You're not a ruler who acts out of fear.

Or out of revenge or anger.

You act out of conviction.

[solemn music playing]

Have you finished?

[scoffs]

[door opens]

[footsteps receding]

[door closes]

[soldier in Spanish] By order of His Majesty,

the Emperor of Mexico.

[in English] Shoot them.

[soldier in Spanish] May God be with you.

-Fire! -[guns firing]

[gentle Mexican guitar playing]

[fly buzzing]

[in English] Sit you down, José.

Eat something.

I have no appetite, Your Majesty.

Then have a drink at least.

[José] No, thank you, Your Majesty.

Please don't look at me that way, José.

I had to do that today. I had no choice.

Please say that you believe in me still.

[footsteps approaching]

[valet in Spanish] Your Majesty?

[in English] Marie is in Europe now. In good health.

Is that not wonderful news? [chuckles]

Play something jolly! Come on.

Let us celebrate!

[jolly music playing]

José…

Come on!

To us, José.

[laughs]

To the future of Mexico.

[in Spanish] Long live Mexico!

We recently learned that the Americans gave Juárez an abundance of weapons.

Yes, but with the French troops there,

Maximilian should still have greater strength.

Except Napoleon has withdrawn now most of his troops from Mexico.

To prepare for Prussia, or so he claims.

-[footsteps approaching] -[bell rings]

[valet] Her Imperial Highness the Archduchess.

Your Majesty.

What a surprise.

And I hear congratulations are appropriate.

Yes, our prayers have been answered by the good Lord.

The good Lord, oh, indeed.

How is my son?

With no support from Europe, I don't know how he's supposed to survive over there.

We require 5,000 soldiers.

As soon as possible.

[exhales deeply]

No.

Maximilian must abdicate and return to Europe.

And be branded a failure? Once again? No.

He wanted this crown, so he must weather the storm.

[Marie] Please, Your Majesty.

You know that Maxi won't abdicate.

But without help, he will perish.

Do not let my husband perish.

[sombre music playing]

Please.

Recover from your journey.

And I will see what I can do.

[maid] Your Majesty, come along.

[footsteps receding]

[door opens]

-[door closes] -[music ends]

We must send him troops.

Immediately.

Maximilian has the United States against him.

-Do you want a war with the Americans? -Franz, the Americans do not scare us.

But that is what you wanted to avoid. Habsburg being drawn into their fight.

I am worried about my brother. And you can admit that you are too.

I am worried about the honour of this family.

After the defeat, after your defeat against Prussia,

I will not allow my second son to only be remembered

for how often he did not succeed.

Would you rather he go down in history?

Or would you rather he came home safely?

Maximilian is making his own choices.

That was his wish. And I respect that.

But I will send a ship so he can come back.

What if it turns out how Marie said it would?

What if he does not want to leave?

A wise monarch knows when his time is up, Mother.

You are so naive, Franz!

Emma?

Pack the trunks. We are going to Paris.

[exhales]

-[footsteps approaching] -[bell rings]

[maid] Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

[Elisabeth] Stay seated.

I wanted to see how you are.

And to congratulate you.

-I'm so delighted for you, Marie. -Thank you.

Can you feel your child moving?

Yes.

I was on the ship the first time.

Would you like to feel it?

Yes.

It is kicking wildly.

Like Maximilian.

Just like Maximilian.

It is my fault he is not here.

I pressured him into going to Mexico.

He had many doubts, but I was determined.

It is my doing.

[sombre music playing]

He will hold your baby.

I do not know what will become of your empire.

But you carry new life in your womb, Marie.

Will your husband help him?

[music continues]

Your Majesty. A letter from Vienna.

From my brother.

He wants me to abdicate and to return home.

I have found a land route that would allow us to reach the port unseen.

No, I will not abdicate and that is that.

Your Majesty, the Juaristas are just outside the city.

Bazaine must defend the city as long as he can

until fresh troops arrive.

Bazaine left on the last French ship.

[objects rattling]

Well…

I must negotiate with Juárez now, then.

I heard

that Juárez will only allow you to live if you abdicate.

Your Majesty, shall I prepare the carriages?

No!

[breathing heavily]

[birds chirping]

[footsteps approaching]

[Theo] I was asked to escort you here, Your Majesty.

I saw Marie.

Will you help Maximilian?

Yes.

A ship has now been sent for him to return home.

Please.

[Elisabeth] What is that?

It is the Hungarian crown.

The revolutionary leaders buried it. After Arad.

As a sign of resistance, so that…

[inhales deeply]

…I would never wear this crown.

I'll give the Hungarians back their self-determination.

Their constitution.

I will offer to divide the empire.

Austria will be no more.

Austria-Hungary.

So do you love him?

Count Andrássy?

[inhales deeply]

I had started to fall in love with him.

I don't perceive love to be just one thing.

Not just one single person.

You also experienced that.

I didn't love her in the same way.

You can go to him.

I will not make this your prison.

You need freedom.

I want to be at your side.

You are my home.

[inhales sharply]

But are you sure?

Yes.

Do you remember the day before our wedding?

[chuckles]

[emotional music playing]

Of course I do.

[Franz chuckles softly]

I never asked you.

Asked me what?

If you wanted to be Empress.

But rather, I just declared it.

I thought my heart was going to explode.

Because it was me you chose.

[music stirring]

[laughs]

[Franz laughs]

[music continues]

[music fading]

[door opens]

[valet in French] This way, please.

PARIS - FRENCH EMPIRE

One moment, please.

[woman laughing]

[Napoleon laughing]

[indistinct chatter and laughter]

[Sophie inhales sharply]

[exhales deeply]

Your Imperial Highness. His Majesty is ready to receive you.

[exhales deeply]

[curious music playing]

[Napoleon] Do you like it?

Sire.

[Napoleon] Your Highness.

I finally have the honour.

I was told that an urgent matter brings you to me.

The Emperor of Mexico needs your help.

Ah.

Alas, Emperor Maximilian did not keep to our agreement.

I know you're awaiting gold.

Finally, someone who understands me.

[Sophie] If you send your troops, I'll make sure you get that gold.

How?

It wouldn't be the first time

I have brought happiness to my sons.

And what does your other emperor say?

He wants to go save his little brother and bring him back.

That is certainly the best thing to do.

Mexico was a beautiful dream.

But it no longer interests me. It's over.

Besides, I need my troops against the Prussians.

The Germans will be the downfall of us all if we don't stop them.

You and I.

"You and I"?

You and I could accomplish great things together.

I'll tell you the story of five sisters.

You may know it.

Four of them, the story goes, were fearful and silly.

But one of them was very different.

Fearless.

Ruthless.

A woman like her comes along only once a millennium.

Does this story sound familiar to you?

You would not have given in,

not in Lombardy, not against King Wilhelm and that nasty Bismarck.

You would have let the Prussians approach Schönbrunn Palace,

and you would have strangled them with your own hands.

If you were on the Habsburg throne…

Turn your ships around. That is my only wish.

I beg you.

[in English] I am afraid

it is too late to do that.

[breathing shakily]

[insects chirping]

[frogs croaking]

[melancholy music playing]

[laughs softly]

[laughing]

[exhales deeply]

[music intensifies]

-[bird flutters, squawks] -[gasps]

[music stops]

[Franz] Maximilian?

[Maximilian] Franz?

Your garden is quite the labyrinth.

So you did come?

[both laughing]

Your empire is paradise.

-[gentle music playing] -[exotic birds calling]

And you have truly become a great emperor.

[chuckles softly]

No, I am not great.

I had people executed, Franz.

Now you have learnt how hard it is to wear a crown.

I can never put right that wrong.

Do you know what the Aztecs believed in, here in Mexico?

That people had to keep making sacrifices to the gods above.

For the morning sun to rise

over your domain once again.

[chuckles]

What do you know about the Aztecs, hmm?

[both laugh]

[inhales deeply]

I think you have sacrificed quite enough already.

It is time to come home, Maximilian.

[music ends]

[dramatic music playing]

[coachman] Gee up!

Run!

[José] It will take us a few days to get to the harbour.

The frigate is already loaded and awaits you.

I have not asked you yet, José.

Will you come with me?

To Europe?

Mexico is my home, Your Majesty.

Take this ring.

No, Your Majesty, please.

You have been so loyal.

Take it.

[breathes deeply]

[coachman] Stop!

What is this?

[carriage halts]

I'm sorry, Your Majesty.

[dramatic music playing]

[in Spanish] In the name of President Benito Juárez,

you are under arrest.

Come, blondie. Move along!

Come along!

Mr President.

We have him!

[Juárez] Bring him here.

Finally.

President Juárez.

"President"?

I wasn't expecting that.

I've wished to meet you for some time.

[Juárez] Hmm.

I've been very busy.

[laughs]

Mr President.

I love this country.

I tried to build something here.

Can you not see that?

Yes.

And you may be the noblest of all the colonialists.

But in the end, you're still a colonialist.

I offered you a position as my prime minister.

Why can we not work together?

Because there's no right way to do something wrong, Maximilian.

This continent doesn't belong to you.

This is the New World.

[dramatic music playing]

I am leaving now.

I'm so sorry.

But I can't let you go.

My people would never forgive me.

[music intensifies]

[door closes, locks]

[music stops]

[thunder rumbling]

[rain pattering]

[crow cawing]

[bell rings]

[valet] Her Majesty the Empress.

[footsteps approaching]

Your Imperial Highness.

We are leaving for Buda.

To celebrate the union.

Just look at your smirk.

How terribly proud you are of yourself.

An "Austro-Hungarian Monarchy". What on earth is that?

-It is the right course for our people. -It is the end of Habsburg.

It is our end.

I'm sorry that is what you think.

Are you sure you will not come with us?

I would rather hurl myself out of the window.

I still hope that our ship will reach Maximilian.

And that he will come back to us.

Go to Hungary, Elisabeth. Go and let them cheer you.

Maybe I was wrong.

Maybe you will be remembered.

And not any of us.

You made the people love you. They worship you.

All throughout the Empire.

But I know you, Elisabeth.

You will not be here when we meet our end.

[Maximilian in Spanish] Is anyone here?

Is anyone here?

[chains clank]

Please!

How much longer must I wait?

[panting]

[grunts]

You must not cry.

[panting]

[voice breaking] Do not cry!

[matchstick strikes]

[breathes shakily]

So you brought them?

[gentle music playing]

That was what you told me.

[chuckles softly]

[breathing shakily]

[matchstick strikes]

[laughs]

I am so scared, Franz.

Who do you think will cry for me the most?

Mother.

[sombre music playing]

Yes.

Mother.

Maybe I am the sacrifice.

A sacrifice for the gods.

So that the sun may rise again.

[bell tolling]

[indistinct chatter]

BUDA - KINGDOM OF HUNGARY

DAY OF UNION

[Ida in Hungarian] Where is the jewellery?

[in English] No, those are the jewels for the coronation.

[in Hungarian] Pardon me. These aren't the crown jewels.

Please assist me.

[in English] Everyone.

This is a joyous day for the Empress. And for Hungary.

So, ladies, hurry up. We do not have much time.

[maid] Your Majesty, may I?

-Are the carriages ready? -[Ida] Yes, Countess.

[Pauline] Wonderful. All is going according to the schedule.

-[retching] -Your Majesty?

Your Majesty, are you unwell?

[Elisabeth coughs]

Out now, please. Ida, a glass of water.

[water pouring]

Majesty, perhaps you have an upset stomach.

Or it is all the emotion.

I can send for the doctor.

[exhales deeply]

No, I…

I am not sick.

[chuckles softly]

Oh, such wonderful news.

You are with child again.

[footsteps approaching]

-Is it… -[valet] I apologise, Your Highness.

[in Hungarian] Miss?

[Ida] What is it?

[valet whispering]

[in English] He says that Count Andrássy has arrived.

-Pardon? -The Emperor himself asked him to come.

[door opens]

[valet] His Majesty the Emperor.

Your Majesty.

You wanted to speak to me.

I wanted to meet the man who will rule Hungary.

The great Deák will lead us, not me.

Deák is an old man.

You will be the next leader.

Or will you not?

Yes.

That is likely, Your Majesty.

And? Do you know what it takes to lead a nation?

Your Majesty, for 25 years I have fought for this day to finally come.

But can you rule now you have won the battle?

[sighs]

If I may say, Your Majesty,

I will be an entirely different ruler than you are.

Really?

What does that mean?

I am not prepared to hang anyone who begs me for mercy.

Is this the really right moment to speak to me that way?

[tense music playing]

[exhales]

Your hatred of me

has taken you far in your time.

Elisabeth…

My closeness to her came not out of revenge.

Nothing will ever bring back the brave men who died by your hand.

[sighs]

But today

can herald in a new day.

Yes.

A new day.

[eagle screeching]

[wind whooshing]

[in Spanish] Through this holy anointing and by His most merciful grace,

may the Lord forgive all of your sins.

Amen.

[solemn music playing]

[bell tolling]

[solemn music continues]

[bishop in Latin] May the Lord crown you

with the crown of glory, justice, and strength of virtue.

Receive the crown of the kingdom from the Lord God

bestowed upon you by the hands of the bishops.

[in English] For Austria-Hungary.

For Austria-Hungary.

[Maximilian] Shoot here.

[General in Spanish] Aim at his chest.

[in English] Not at my face.

[General in Spanish] Not at his face.

[in English] For my mother.

So that she should still recognise me.

[man] Elisabeth!

[people] Elisabeth!

Elisabeth!

[people clamouring]

[people] Elisabeth!

[Juárez in Spanish] Does the condemned man have anything else to say?

The sun

is rising again.

[sombre music playing]

[inhales deeply]

[General] Present arms!

Ready!

Aim!

Fire!

[guns firing]

[exhales deeply]

[gasps]

[dramatic music playing]

[people cheering]

[music slows down]

[music fades]

[birds chirping]

[exhales]

[Franz] Good morning.

Good morning.

[Elisabeth exhales]

[Franz] We did something good yesterday.

Thanks to you.

It was you who did it.

What is it?

I don't know if I can always be her.

Who?

The Empress.

[gentle music playing]

Who would you like to be?

I do not know yet.

Then you must go and find what you are looking for.

Yes, I might.

One day.

We are having another child.

[both chuckle]

[Franz kisses]

[music fades]

[Franz] Where is she?

Valerie.

Valerie?

Father wants to see you.

[footsteps approaching]

Here I am.

Papa, the first edition of Heinrich Heine's poems.

-I assume they belonged to mama? -[Franz] Mmm.

You have her glowing eyes.

Do you know that?

Hmm. Have you found them?

-The letters. -He wants Mother's letters.

They're over there in the box.

Gisella, there are dozens here.

Corfu, Antibes, London, Madeira. Which one do you want?

I could never hold her back.

She adored travelling.

So I let her go, again and again.

-Valerie? -Yes, Papa.

Read one.

Read one aloud.

"My beloved Franz."

"Do not worry. I arrived back safely…"

[Elisabeth] …at my beloved sea.

I wish you could see it.

[melancholy music playing]

Be here with me once.

I know you cannot leave.

Someone has to stay until the end.

"There is a small restaurant here, down by the harbour.

You would like it.

It's very simple.

"And no one would recognise you, believe me."

"I hope you will visit me very soon."

[Franz chuckles softly]

She wants to meet me now.

Elisabeth.

[Elisabeth] Maybe… I could not change enough.

I could not achieve more.

But I tried.

Is that not worth something?

[inhales deeply]

[exhales]

[Valerie sobbing]

[Elisabeth] Take the girls in your arms and hold them tight.

As tight as you can.

Until we meet again.

[music fades]

[solemn music playing]

EMPEROR FRANZ JOSEPH I DIED ON 21ST NOVEMBER 1916 AT SCHÖNBRUNN.

HE HELD THE THRONE FOR 68 YEARS,

MAKING HIM ONE OF HISTORY'S LONGEST-REIGNING RULERS.

IN THE YEARS AFTER THE UNION WITH HUNGARY,

ELISABETH TRAVELLED ACROSS EUROPE FREQUENTLY.

SHE AND FRANZ EXCHANGED OVER A THOUSAND LETTERS IN THAT TIME.

ON 10TH SEPTEMBER 1898, SHE WAS ASSASSINATED IN GENEVA.

TO THIS DAY, EMPRESS ELISABETH IS REVERED ACROSS THE GLOBE

FOR HER QUEST FOR FREEDOM AND STRUGGLE FOR A SELF-DETERMINED LIFE.

[music continues]

[music fades]