Product Details

• Actors: Helmut Berger, Trevor Howard, Silvana Mangano, Helmut Griem
• Directors: Luchino Visconti
• Format: Import, PAL, Widescreen, Color, Subtitled
• Language: Italian
• Region: Region 2 (Read more about DVD formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Studio: Infinity Arthouse
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000AKWS6O
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #380,439 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful film, October 9, 2007

By 

L. A. Jeffery "tonyandlulu" (England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ludwig (Special Edition) [Region 2] (DVD)

This is a wonderful movie, in fact it was so compelling that three hours flew by and I found myself not wanting it to end.

Overall it's a quiet film with thoughtful performances and seems to be sincere in its attempt to show the central role of King Ludwig of Bavaria as a very sensitive, sad, ultimately self destructive King who loved art and music more than his throne. Here he is gently underplayed by Berger whose dignified portrayal is one of his best performances.


Whether madness or medicine we will never know but our sympathy for this tormented man is enlisted from the start. How much is historically accurate I am not sure but it seems to follow the well known facts and presents them dressed in all the splendour of the day.

Visconti strikes the right note from the very start with sumptuous costumes, ultra romantic settings, and beautiful actors - he has a craftsman's grip on his subject and never once does he allow the film to descend into a clichéd costume drama, nor does the usually irritating dubbing have any detrimental effect on the overall enjoyment of this film - all this accompanied by the strains of Wagner's monumental music and what more could you ask for?

The DVD is value for money, picture quality and sound are excellent and there is a bonus disc containing a documentary on Visconti. A must have for any serious movie collection.

12 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, March 4, 2006

By 

A. Salgado (San Diego) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ludwig - [Import, 2 DVD Set] (DVD)

First of all this movie gets 5 stars.............. Second why would you pay all this much for a movie that does not have English Subtitles? I just hope that the criterion collection or kino gives this the proper release.Otherwise avoid these Imports..................

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly great movie and Helmut Berger is perfect as Ludwig, August 26, 2008

By 

Helen "hw" (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ludwig - [Import, 2 DVD Set] (DVD)

I was fascinated and amazed by this movie which evokes so perfectly what I have learned of this intriguing king during visits to Bavaria and his castles and what I've read about him. His rather sad life and mysterious, tragic death vie with his extravagance and at times to his duties as King. His relationship with Wagner was most interesting and clearly each "fed" off the other - the King wanting this connection with the artist whose work he so admired and the composer who frankly needed the money and didn't like to live in penury.

The stage musical Ludwig II, performed for some years in the specially-constructed memorial theatre in Fussen, was equally fascinating, with some clever on-stage ideas and glorious music. A show well worth seeing if you ever get the chance.

Both highly recommended.