Ludwig (1973): Cast & Plot
Ludwig is a 1973 historical drama directed by Luchino Visconti, starring Helmut Berger as Ludwig, Trevor Howard and Marc Porel. It runs 3 hours 58 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 3h 58m (238 min)
- Director
- Luchino Visconti
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Cinétel
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Ludwig About?
The premise of Ludwig without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
From his 1864 coronation to his 1886 death, the film shows Ludwig as a controversial ruler who pursued women and men, ignoring public opinion. He admired Richard Wagner—later spurned and fell hopelessly for his cousin Elisabeth of Austria, whose rejection fuels his turmoil. Haunted by his sexuality, he descends into madness, a tragic romantic saga.
Ludwig Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- gay aristocrat
- homosexual overtones
- homosexual subtext
- homoerotic
- unmarried man
- man in uniform
- downward spiral
- southern germany
- financial debt
- broken engagement
- psychiatric evaluation
- deposed king
+38 more Show fewer
- wagner
- kingdom of bavaria
- empress of austria
- gay
- richard wagner
- insanity
- drunk
- utilization
- cousin cousin relationship
- talking to the camera
- looking at the camera
- nonlinear timeline
- degenerative disease
- psychiatrist
- waste
- mental impairment
- spendthrift
- loner
- decadence
- royalty
- male nudity
- degenerate
- catholic priest
- period drama
- year 1864
- art lover
- coronation
- etiquette
- benefactor
- opportunist
- reading someone else's mail
- singing out of tune
- planned wedding
- reference to otto von bismarck
- german history
- marriage between cousins
- delusion of grandeur
- paranoia
Ludwig Cast & Characters
Helmut Berger leads the cast as Ludwig, with Trevor Howard as Richard Wagner and Marc Porel as Richard Hornig. Directed by Luchino Visconti; 44 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Luchino Visconti
- Helmut Berger as Ludwig
-
Trevor Howard as Richard Wagner -
Marc Porel as Richard Hornig - Romy Schneider as Elisabeth of Austria
Also Starring in Ludwig
· 40 more- Silvana Mangano Cosima von Bülow
- Mark Burns Hans von Bülow
- Sonia Petrovna Sophie
- John Moulder-Brown Prince Otto
- Umberto Orsini Count von Holnstein
- Helmut Griem Dürckheim
- Folker Bohnet Joseph Kainz
- Heinz Moog Professor von Gudden
- Gérard Herter Prince Luitpold
- Gert Fröbe Father Hoffmann
- Adriana Asti Lila von Buliowski
- Carla Mancini
- Angelo Casadei Priest (uncredited)
- Friedrich von Ledebur Hofmarschall (uncredited)
- Alexander Allerson Secretary of State
- Maurizio Bonuglia Mayr
Show all 44 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Nora Ricci Countess Ida Ferenczy
- Hans Elwenspoek Doctor Rumpler (uncredited)
- Howard Nelson Rubien Ambassador (uncredited)
- Izabella Telezynska Queen Mother
- Karl-Heinz Peters Washinton
- Gernot Möhner Hesselschwerd
- Henning Schlüter Minister Fistermeister
- Eva Axén Maria
- Kurt Großkurth Minister of Finance
- Louise Vincent
- Raika Juri Matilde
- Berno von Cramm Torring (uncredited)
- Karl Menzel Stableboy in Hunding's Hut (uncredited)
- Anne-Marie Hanschke Princess Ludovika, Elisabeth's Mother
- Ian Linhart Maximilian
- Alain Naya
- Wolfram Schaerf Crailsheim
- Alexander Stephan Carlo Teodoro
- Karl-Heinz Windhorst Doctor Müller
- Bert Bloch Weber
- Clara Moustawcesky Hélène
- Alessandro Perella
- Manfred Fürst
- Helmut Stern
More from Luchino Visconti
More films directed by Luchino Visconti: The Leopard (re-release), The Leopard (re-release), Rocco and His Brothers (re-release) and L'Innocente.
Ludwig Plot Summary
What happens in Ludwig from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Munich, 1864. The 18-year-old, idealistic Ludwig II is crowned as the King of Bavaria, stepping into a role that blends youthful fervor with a burdening sense of isolation. His first official act is a lavish show of support for the gifted but financially strapped composer Richard Wagner, who has settled in Munich at Ludwig’s invitation. The king’s entourage cannot fathom the scale of Wagner’s ambitions or the expense of his artistic dreams, and they grow increasingly unsettled by the lifestyle that accompanies them. In his desire to find a steadfast friend in the music he cherishes, Ludwig clings to Wagner, yet the bond strains when Wagner’s private life intrudes: Cosima von Bülow, the wife of Wagner’s conductor Hans von Bülow, becomes entangled with the composer behind the king’s back.
Full summary
The whole story of Ludwig, scene by scene
Ludwig Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Ludwig.
How Well Do You Know Ludwig?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which composer does King Ludwig II initially support in the film?
Ludwig Also Known As
20 alternative titles, including “Ludwig ou le crépuscule des dieux” and “Людвиг”.
- Also known as
-
- Ludwig ou le crépuscule des dieux
- Людвиг
- ルートヴィヒ
- Ludwig: La pasión de un rey
- Ludwig of Schaduw over de Goden
- Ludwig - A Paixão de um Rei
- Ludwig - O Último Rei da Bavária
- To lykofos ton theon
- Rûtovihi
- Luís da Baviera - Requiem para um Rei Virgem
- Ludwig: The Mad King of Bavaria
- Ludwig : Le Crépuscule des dieux
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- Ludwig II.
- Luis II de Baviera, el rey loco
- 路德维希
- Лудвиг
- Luís da Baviera
- 루드비히 신들의 황혼
- Ludwig - A Paixão de Um Rei, ლუდვიგი
- Ludwig II
Seen Ludwig?
Movies Like Ludwig
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Ludwig – Requiem for a Virgin King, Ludwig II, King of Bavaria and Ludwig II.
Ludwig FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Ludwig, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Ludwig?
Ludwig runs 3 hours 58 minutes (238 minutes).
When was Ludwig released?
Ludwig was released on January 18, 1973.
Who directed Ludwig?
Ludwig was directed by Luchino Visconti.
More films by Luchino Visconti Who is in the cast of Ludwig?
Ludwig stars Helmut Berger as Ludwig, Trevor Howard as Richard Wagner and Marc Porel as Richard Hornig, among 44 credited actors.
Does Ludwig have a post-credit scene?
No. Ludwig has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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