Customer Reviews

Anna Karenina (1967)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The picture of this DVD may not be the perfect one (which is a pity) but it is definitely worth watching. This is one on those rare films which prove that a long and complicated book can be filmed. Everything... from actors, who gave some outstanding performances, to sets, is almost exactly as I imagined it while reading the novel. It is not just a romantic story as it is shown in the other film versions, but a very serious, tragic social drama. This film is by far the best adaptation of the great novel.

This movie by far keeps the essence of the classic Russian masterpiece. The English versions were awful, and I was very delighted to have the pleasure of viewing this Russian production. The quality of the film is lacking, but nothing terrible. This movie sticks closely to the story except for the absence of "Levin's story". His relationship with Kitty is there, but briefly. No detailed perspective on the importance of his charcter, and no mention of his brother. Also, there was no revelation for Kitty's transformed outlook on life after her sickness and before marrying Levin.

The main storyline with Anna, husband Karenin, and Vronsky was well done. I enjoyed it.

Overall, it was good. I'm glad to have it on my shelf in my colection of Russian movies.

What a pity! I've been waiting for almost 35 years to see this film. And when I finally do, it feels like taking a cold shower without warning! Produced by the Russian Cinema Counsil, and distributed by Ruscico/Image, this DVD is a visual mess. Originally filmed in 70mm, this ought to look absolutely splendid; instead, the print (or negative?) used for transfer displays dreadfully washed out colors, lousy contrasts, and looks so soft that it almost made my eyes hurt. Was this really the best source material that could be found in the vaults? I do not think so! Old Soviet archives were famous for taking good care of their cultural heritage (provided, of course, that the artists involved did not do something politically or morally "incorrect"), and this film appealed to the powers in the Kremlin as splendid export material. So what went wrong? Better leave this kind of job to the people at Criterion in the future!

I think that Aleksandr Zarkhi's adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's famous novel "Anna Karenina" is one of the best screen versions of the book. It was filmed on the locations where the novel's events took place, its characters speak in the original language, and the spirit of the book was successfully transferred to the screen mostly due to the performances and the cinematography by Leonid Kalashnikov.

Tatiana Samoylova (radiant Veronica of "The Cranes Are Flying") plays Anna exactly as Leo Tolstoy had intended her to be, a victim of overwhelming passion, a woman who had lost herself to love, for whom the whole world had concentrated in her beloved Alexei Vronskiy, and once she felt he had became tired of her, she simply could not and did not want to live. The world famous Soviet ballerina, Maya Plisetskaya took a role of Anna's friend, Princess Betsy Tverskaya and just to see her walk is worth watching the movie. There is much more in it. Some scenes are unforgettable after so many years. Among them, the Vronsky's horse race with the rapid cuts from the faces to horses' heads scene that has to be seen to believe; the first dance of Anna and Vronsky - during the dance the lives of many people had changed forever, or the scene in the theater where Anna dared to show up after she had left her husband and moved in with Vronsky. For a woman of her social position, it was absolutely shocking and totally unforgiving. She was crucified with the looks of the St. Petersburg's Aristocracy but she was standing on the balcony all alone, beautiful and smiling and no one knew what she was going through.

The original music for the film was written by Rodion Shchedrin who would write later the ballet based on "Anna Karenina" and his wife, Maya Plisetskaya will be dancing Anna - but it is a different story altogether

If the flickering of the film doesn't give you a headache, then maybe the fact that the English Audio track has roughly 15 - 20 minutes of russian with subtitles that just come and go. The color is all washed out, though the picture is sharp??? Why did they only go halfway with this? Then there's the two disk thing, this film is only 2hrs 20mins long, it would easily have fit on one disk.

The film itself is okay, a bit short for such a long novel (why can't they just give this a 3hr treatment?) There is still alot missing from this adaptation though it is the most exhaustive I've ever seen.

I recently purchased the movie "Anna Karenina", and wanted to thank you. Excellent quality, wonderful translation.

Great job!!!

I was so excited to see a Russian version of Anna Karenina. The Russians in general have such a flare for romantic drama. This version is a let down. I enjoyed some scenes but in general the camera shot in wide shots of the rooms they were not close ups so that we could feel what the characters are going through. There is a scene that artfully expresses desire. I will continue to search for the perfect screen adaptation of this tragic tale. Has anyone got some suggestions?