Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria clashes with his father, Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, over implementing progressive policies for their country. Rudolf soon feels he is a man born at the wrong time in a country that doesn't realize the need for social reform. The Prince of Wales, later to become Britain's King Edward VII, provides comic relief. Rudolf finds refuge from a loveless marriage with Princess Stéphanie by taking a mistress, Baroness Maria Vetsera. Their untimely demise at Mayerling, the imperial family's hunting lodge, is cloaked in mystery.
Omar Sharif
as Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria
Catherine Deneuve
as Baroness Mary Vetsera
James Mason
as Franz Joseph I of Austria
Ava Gardner
as Empress Elisabeth of Austria
James Robertson Justice
as Prince of Wales
Geneviève Page
as Countess Marie Larisch von Moennich
Andréa Parisy
as Princess Stéphanie
Ivan Desny
as Count Josef Hoyos
Fabienne Dali
as Mizzi Kaspar
Véronique Vendell
as Lisi Stockau
Howard Vernon
as Prince of Montenuovo
Irene von Meyendorff
as Countess Stockau
