Customer Reviews

Anna Karenina [VHS]

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

 

 

This beautiful classic love story with its beautiful classic stars has been slashed almost beyond recognition. What is even more upsetting is this version of this movie in its original presentation was at least 2 hrs 18 mins. long. I know this to be true because I saw it on TV and taped it at that time. (Since giving this review, I have learned that even the version I taped had been cut. I understand this movie originally ran about 2hrs & 40 mins.) I have been hunting for this movie as it was originally meant to be seen for years. I bet there are many, many people who would have been happy to pay additional cost to get "the whole thing". I rated it 5 stars because the costuming & locations are so beautiful and the chemistry between Christopher Reeve and Jacqueline Bisset is a sight to behold. But whoever made the decision to produce this short version should be ashamed. My big hope now is that it will be rerun and I will be fortunate enough to catch it and tape it again.

Of all the various versions of Anna Karenina, this is my favorite. Christopher Reeve is the definitive Vronsky. Beautifully filmed and full of passion, it's a beautiful film to watch over and over. The only fault, is the failure to include the vitally important character of Levin.

I loved this movie and keep watching it over and over. Leo Tolstoy would have been very proud of this movie. The ending is just as sad and tragic as in the book. The actors are superb and the movie sure captures the beauty of Russia in the 1800's. It is a beautiful story of the classic love triangle. But there are a few things that are wrong with it. It is too short for a great love epic ( the movie is only 94 minutes long) and the director should have not used too many scenes with trains. But this is a great movie with beautiful sets and the spirit of the aristocratic Russia in the 1800's (unlike the 1997 version with tons of porno shots and miscast actors.) Trust me, You have to get this movie. It will be enjoyed by generations to come.

This is one of the best versions of this remarkable story. When is it coming on DVD? With Christopher Reeve, Jacqueline Bisset and Paul Scofield what could be a better cast. It is a engrossing film. Not to be missed...

Whoever created the shortened version didn't do the actors justice. The filming was beautiful but shortening it really reduced the credibility of the character portrayals. Would love to see a longer version.

It is abeautiful epic of the classic love triangle. Tolstoy would have been very proud of this wonderful production. The ending is just as sad and dramatic as in the book. The actors are wonderful.But the movie is very short for such a great story (it is only about 94 minutes long) and the director might have been more wise not to include so many scenes with trains. All inall it is a great movie and I enjoyed it. But I cried for an hour because of the ending. It is the most beautiful Anna Karennia.Trust me, you just have to get this movie.

I felt that Jacqueline Bisset, as Anna Karenina, and Christopher Reeve, as Count Vronsky, were miscast. To me they did not appear to be passionate lovers willing to give up everything for each other. Anna Karenina is a very powerful story however this version seemed to lack the necessary intensity to make it believable. There seemed to be no real attraction on the screen between Anna and Count Vronsky. They gave the impression of reading a script. I thought the best performance in the movie was given by Paul Scofield as Karenin, Anna's husband. The 1948 version starring Vivien Leigh as Anna Karenina seemed much more convincing. I think the best version I have seen is the 1934 Anna Karenina starring Greta Garbo and Frederick March. Of course it is all a matter of personal taste which performance is more enjoyable and which actor and actress are more believable.