The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II (2013)

The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II (2013) poster

Ludwig II of Bavaria, more commonly known by his nicknames the Swan King or the Dream King, is a legendary figure - the handsome boy-king, loved by his people, betrayed by his cabinet and found dead in tragic and mysterious circumstances. He spent his life in pursuit of the ideal of beauty, an ideal that found expression in three of the most extraordinary, ornate architectural schemes imaginable - the castle of Neuschwanstein and the palaces of Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee. Today, these three buildings are among Germany's biggest tourist attractions. Dan Cruickshank explores the rich aesthetic of Ludwig II - from the mock-medievalism of Neuschwanstein, the iconic fairytale castle that became the inspiration for the one in Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty, to the rich Baroque splendour of Herrenchiemsee, Ludwig's answer to Versailles. Dan argues that Ludwig's castles are more than flamboyant kitsch and are, in fact, the key to unravelling the eternal enigma of Ludwig II.

Director: Alexander Leith
Genre: History, Documentary
Runtime: 59 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Cinematography: Mike Garner
Editing: Safi Ferrah
Production: BBC
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Original Language: en

Keywords

bavaria, germany, castle

More Films by Director: Alexander Leith
More Films in Genre: History, Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II about?
Ludwig II of Bavaria, more commonly known by his nicknames the Swan King or the Dream King, is a legendary figure - the handsome boy-king, loved by his people, betrayed by his cabinet and found dead in tragic and mysterious circumstances. He spent his life in pursuit of the ideal of beauty, an ideal that found expression in three of the most extraordinary, ornate architectural schemes imaginable - the castle of Neuschwanstein and the palaces of Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee. Today, these three buildings are among Germany's biggest tourist attractions. Dan Cruickshank explores the rich aesthetic of Ludwig II - from the mock-medievalism of Neuschwanstein, the iconic fairytale castle that became the inspiration for the one in Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty, to the rich Baroque splendour of Herrenchiemsee, Ludwig's answer to Versailles. Dan argues that Ludwig's castles are more than flamboyant kitsch and are, in fact, the key to unravelling the eternal enigma of Ludwig II.
Who directed The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II?
The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II was directed by Alexander Leith.
Who stars in The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II?
The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II stars Dan Cruickshank.
How long is The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II?
The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II has a runtime of 59m (59 minutes).
What genre is The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II?
The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II is a History, Documentary film.
Where was The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II produced?
The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II was produced in United Kingdom.