The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II
2013, English. Directed by Alexander Leith.
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.
- Runtime
- 0h 59m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
Start now and it ends at ….
Too new to call
Not enough people have rated it yet for a verdict.
Seen it? Give your verdict.
Saved privately on this device.
Where to watch The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II
The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II is streaming on Britbox and BBC Select in India.
Britbox Apple TV channel
BBC Select Apple Tv channelAvailability in India as of 14 November 2026. Streaming data by JustWatch.
Details
- Released
- 2 July 2013
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Written by
- Dan Cruickshank
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
If you liked The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II
The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story
2019 · 7.3/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Crystal Calls - Making The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
2019 · 7.5/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Our Planet: Behind the Scenes
2019 · 7.7/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20
2022 · 7.2/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
I Am Vanessa Guillen
2022 · 7.5/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)
2026 · 8.4/10
Absolute CinemaRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Kid Stays in the Picture
2002 · 6.6/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
David Bowie: Five Years
2013 · 7.5/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Man
2018 · 6.8/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Gilbert
2017 · 6.7/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II: quick answers
Is The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II worth watching?
The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II?
The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II runs 59 minutes (0h 59m).
Does The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II yet.
Which OTT platform is The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II on?
The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II is streaming on Britbox and BBC Select in India. (Checked 14 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II?
If you liked The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II, try The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story, The Crystal Calls - Making The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Our Planet: Behind the Scenes.
Who directed The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II?
The Fairytale Castles of King Ludwig II (2013) was directed by Alexander Leith and stars Dan Cruickshank.