I finally watched POZ on TCM tonight and really enjoyed it even with the sad ending. One thing did puzzle me though. Despite the obvious explanation that it was a device for the movie, why didn't they arrest Michael immediately after the coronation on charges of plotting against the king? Was it explained and I just missed it or was it so the plot could unfold?
shareDid they have actual proof against him at that point? Later, the people associated with handling the wine....disappear or are killed, and the king is kidnapped and held prisoner, of course.
To be honest, Prince Michael probably would have made the more responsible king. Prince Rudolf was an irresponsible drunkard who was in such disrepute that if he missed his coronation Michael felt he would have had enough political support to openly take over as Regent and make it stick.
Michael could not unmask Rasendyll as a fake king because that would mean admitting what he had done to seize the crown.
Equally, though, Zapt et al could not arrest Michael without admitting what THEY had done in having a fake king crowned - and why.
Remember that, by the time we reach "immediately after the coronation", Zapt et al haven't yet set the real Rudolph on his throne and Rupert of Hentzau has taken the real king captive for Duke Michael. Neither side can unmask the crime of the other without unmasking their own crime.