Anna Karenina

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Overview

This 1948 adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina was produced in England by Alexander Korda, and released in the US by 20th Century-Fox. Vivien Leigh plays the title role, a 19th-century Russian gentlewoman married to Czarist official Ralph Richardson. Though her marriage is not intolerable, Anna is swept off her feet by dashing young military officer Vronsky, played by Kieron Moore. The ensuing scandal ruins Anna's status in society. Anna Karenina had previously been filmed twice in Hollywood, with both ...
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DVD (Restored / Subtitled / B&W / Pan & Scan / Dubbed)
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Overview

This 1948 adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina was produced in England by Alexander Korda, and released in the US by 20th Century-Fox. Vivien Leigh plays the title role, a 19th-century Russian gentlewoman married to Czarist official Ralph Richardson. Though her marriage is not intolerable, Anna is swept off her feet by dashing young military officer Vronsky, played by Kieron Moore. The ensuing scandal ruins Anna's status in society. Anna Karenina had previously been filmed twice in Hollywood, with both versions starring Greta Garbo.
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Special Features

Tolstoy: The Man Behind Anna featurette; The Tolstoy Legacy featurette; Film restoration comparison; Still gallery
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler
A fascinating misfire that contains some intriguing elements, Anna Karenina is a frustrating adaptation of the famed Tolstoy novel that drains its of passion and life. Amazingly, this seems to have been the intention of the filmmakers; while it is certainly an interesting way to approach the material, and they are to be credited for trying something different, the end result simply does not work. Staying faithful to the surface of the novel, director-scenarist Julien Duvivier and his co-writers {Jean Anouilh and Guy Morgan alter emphases throughout in such a way that a cold, sterile film is created. This might have worked if this sterility applied only to Anna's married life and was contrasted with genuine heat being generated during her relationship with Vronsky, but this doesn't come off. A great deal of the blame for this failure is the utterly inept performance of Kieron Moore as Vronsky, but even with a richer performance, it is likely that the coldness would have persisted. While the physical production is glorious, Duvivier's direction causes the film to drag inexorably; even though he pulls out some marvelous visual tricks, they do not manage to overcome the lifelessness behind his approach. In the title role, Vivien Leigh is glorious, creating a portrait of self-destruction that is frightening and compelling, and Ralph Richardson is brilliantly frigid. These performances are frequently stunning, but the film in which they are showcased simply doesn't work.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 4/24/2007
  • UPC: 024543425717
  • Original Release: 1948

    • Rating:

  • Source: 20th Century Fox
  • Region Code: 1
  • Presentation: Restored / Subtitled / B&W / Pan & Scan / Dubbed
  • Time: 1:52:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 20,302

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Vivien Leigh Anna Karenina
Ralph Richardson Alexei Karenin
Kieron Moore Count Vronsky
Hugh Dempster Stefan Oblonsky
Mary Kerridge Dolly Oblonsky
Marie Lohr Princess Scherbatsky
Frank Tickle Prince Scherbatsky
Sally Ann Howes Kitty Scherbatsky
Niall MacGinnis Levin
Michael Gough Nicholai
Heather Thatcher Countess Lydia Ivanovna
Mary Martlew Princess Nathalia
Ruby Miller Countess Meskov
Austin Trevor Col. Vronsky
Guy Verney Prince Makhotin
John Longden Gen. Serpuhousky
Beckett Bould Matvey
Leslie E. Bradley Korsunsky
Gino Cervi Enrico
Therese Giehse Marietta
Helen Hayes Countess Vronsky
Martita Hunt Princess Betsy Tversky
Michael Medwin Doctor
Judith Nelmes Miss Hull
John Salew Lawyer
Jeremy Spencer Giuseppe
Technical Credits
Julien Duvivier Director, Screenwriter
Henri Alékan Cinematographer
André Andrejew Production Designer
Jean Anouilh Screenwriter
Cecil Beaton Costumes/Costume Designer
W. Percy Day Special Effects
Alexander Korda Producer
Constant Lambert Score Composer
Russell Lloyd Editor
Guy Morgan Screenwriter
Leo Tolstoy Source Author
Robert Walker Cinematographer
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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Anna Karenina
1. Main Titles/Family
2. Anna's Arrival
3. The Ball
4. Declaration of Love
5. Family Reunion
6. Heartsick
7. Distracted
8. Anna's Shadow
9. Impropriety
10. At the Races
11. A Deceived Husband
12. Light Conversation
13. Forgive Me
14. Listen Carefully
15. Kitty Reconsiders
16. True Love
17. Venice
18. Harsh Decision
19. Sergei
20. Ostracized
21. Suspicions
22. Gone to St. Petersburg
23. Musings
24. Turn Out the Light
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Menu

Disc #1 -- Anna Karenina
   Play
   Language Selection
      Language and Audio
         English Mono
         English Stereo
         Spanish Mono
      Subtitles
         English
         Spanish
         French
         None
   Scene Selection
   Special Features
      Tolstoy: The Man Behind Anna
      The Tolstoy Legacy
      Restoration Comparison
      Still Gallery
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