In 1919, the republic abolished the nobility and its legal privileges. But did this also put an end to the vast fortunes and influence of the once most powerful families? This documentary traces their legacy and shows how aristocratic estates survived political upheavals, revolutions, and wars. Today, more than 1,400 square kilometers of land are still owned by formerly aristocratic families, including forests, farmland, mountains, hunting grounds, castles, and bodies of water. The stories of the Schwarzenberg, Liechtenstein, and Esterházy families recount their rise to power, wealth, and prominence, as well as the transformation from feudal landed estates into modern foundations and businesses.
“Österreich - Land in Adelshand - bis heute?” explores how closely the history of the nobility is intertwined with the history of Austria, and how much of this legacy can still be felt in the country today.
A film by Alexander Frohner.
Credits
Documentary
45 Min.
Written and directed by: Alexander Frohner
Producers: Magdalena Pochlatko, Jakob Pochlatko
Line Producer: Heinrich Mayer-Moroni
Production Manager: Ronald Graf
Production Coordinator: Sophie Schwaighofer
Project Coordinator: Franziska Kiefmann
Postproduction Coordinator: Jelka Jeschek
Director of Photography: Dominik Spritzendorfer, Andreas Schinko, Stefan Schmid
Sound: Stefanie Thesak, Martin Stiendl, Lukas Bauer
Music: Victor Gangl
Sound Mix: Sebastian Schwarz | Blautöne
Edited by: Tobias Aigelsreiter, Alexander Frohner
Narrator: Thomas Eichhorn
Commissioning Editor ORFIII: Otto Schwarz
u.a.
produced in: 2026
first broadcasted: 20. Oktober 2026
a co-production by EPO-Film, ORFIII
with the financial support of FERNSEHFONDS AUSTRIA, CINE ART Steiermark, NÖ Filmförderung
Fotos/Downloads
