Sisi: Austrian Empress

Elisabeth in Bavaria is known as Sisi. Sisi’s sister Néné is set to marry Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria and Sisi is reluctant to travel to Bad Ischl for the engagement. There, Sisi and Franz find themselves caught together in a perilous ambush.

Her engagement to Franz changes Sisi's life; she has to be prepared for life at court in a short time. Even with her love for Franz, she can't understand him. Sisi finds a friend who becomes her lady-in-waiting. Now comes the great event: the wedding.

The wedding night is a failure. But to his mother, Franz pretends that they have consummated the marriage. On their honeymoon, the couple slowly get closer. In the first big official reception, Sisi helps Franz to appease the rebelling Hungarians.

The imperial couple appear happy. Franz's political war escalates. Pregnant Sisi meets Fanny in secret. Countess Esterhazy organizes a meeting to smooth things over between the nations. Later, during Sophie’s baptism, there is an assassination attempt.

Franz survives the assassination attempt. The war is a disaster for Austria. Sisi tries to convince Franz to meet Count Andrassy. She succeeds in reconciling the two. But the Emperor is attacked again, and then their daughter Sophie becomes very ill.

Sisi and Franz ride back to Vienna. Relations with Hungary improve, but Franz sees war as the only alternative. Again, it is Sisi who puts Napoleon III in his place and makes peace between the nations - Sisi has grown into a worthy empress.