The Great Waltz is a 1972 American biographical musical film directed by Andrew L. Stone, and starring Horst Buchholz, Mary Costa, and Nigel Patrick, that follows 40 years in the life of composer Johann Strauss (the Younger, known as the "Waltz King") and his family.

By the time he reaches age 37, Strauss has achieved enormous success, and along the way has had numerous frivolous affairs with women, all while remaining single, leading his friends and his mother to be concerned for his well-being.

At one of his performances, his catches the eye of Jetty Treffz (Mary Costa), who is the mistress of a baron, and seven years older than him.

He also embarks on the most productive time of his career, composing some of his most well-known pieces, including The Blue Danube, which he presents to a disastrous debut by his insistence on using inferior and sarcastic lyrics, against the tearful protestations of Jetty.

Strauss's mother is overjoyed until Jetty confides to her a secret that she has a grown son who lives in Paris, and who will probably blackmail her.