Product Details

• Actors: Tatyana Samojlova, Nikolai Gritsenko, Vasili Lanovoy, Yuriy Yakovlev, Boris Goldayev
• Directors: Aleksandr Zarkhi
• Writers: Aleksandr Zarkhi, Leo Tolstoy, Vasili Katanyan
• Format: Anamorphic, Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: Russian (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: December 10, 2002
• Run Time: 145 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000714AV
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #107,174 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The classic novel by Leo Tolstoy comes to life in this sweeping, romantic epic, a tragic story of love, infidelity, and the destiny of a woman who irrevocably changes her life for the sake of passion. Driven into the arms of another man, Anna Karenina is separated from her son and denounced by high society for following her heart and paying a very high price.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An example of excellent book adaptation, March 15, 2003

By	Ekaterina Smoldyreva (Dubai, UAE) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sad DVD of interesting film!, February 21, 2003

By A Customer

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!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good movie, but film quality somewhat poor, March 8, 2004

By	Lisa Arnold (TX, USA) - See all my reviews

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.