: Against the director's wishes, producers cut the film by over 20 minutes (and in some markets, it was reduced to a mere three hours) for its theatrical release .
: Visconti envisioned a nearly four-hour masterpiece . Ludwig(1973)
The film's history is as dramatic as its subject. During production, Visconti suffered a stroke, yet he continued to direct from a wheelchair . Initially, the film faced severe interference: : Against the director's wishes, producers cut the
Luchino Visconti’s 1973 epic, , is the final installment of his "German Trilogy" (following The Damned and Death in Venice ) and stands as a visually opulent, operatic exploration of the life and psychological decline of King Ludwig II of Bavaria . Production History & Restoration During production, Visconti suffered a stroke, yet he
: After Visconti’s death, his collaborators bought the rights and negatives at auction to restore the film to its intended four-hour length . This version is now considered the definitive "perfect version" . Cast & Characters The film features a prestigious international cast: Ludwig (1973)
