Mayerling

Everyone agrees with this movie's virtues: its sets, costumes, and recreation of the era--all of which are impressively gorgeous. Kenneth Brannagh mentions that the look of the this film version influenced the setting/production design for his version of HAMLET (check out his audio commentary of the DVD, chap. 19). So MAYERLING has had its influence.

And, yes, quite a few of us recognize its shortcomings. Frankly, it doesn't possess the passion/romance one expects. Perhaps both Sharif and Deneuve are too intelligent to be believable for a romantic suicide, but whatever it is, somehow the oomph one hopes for is missing. Nevertheless, it's still fascinating, and while not as involving as the Boyer version, it's got more historical detail and background.

And yes it's worth comparing/contrasting with THE ILLUSIONIST.