Anastasia

Plot synopsis:
In St Petersburg, Russia, in 1916, a lavish ball is held to celebrate 300 years of the ruling of the Romanov family. Attending the event is the Dowager Empress Marie (Angela Lansbury), whose son Nicolas is the Tsar of Imperial Russia. At the event, Marie is happy to see her granddaughter Anastasia (Kirsten Dunst), who is sad that Marie will be going to Paris, France. Marie has chosen to give Anastasia a music box as a gift, which plays a melody that both of them know. The wind-up key to make the music box work is on a pendant, inscribed with the words, "Together in Paris."The mood of the party is soon silenced as Rasputin (Christopher Lloyd) enters, claiming to be Nicolas' "confidant." Nicolas instead brands Rasputin as a traitor, and orders him out of the Palace. Angered at Nicholas, Rasputin claims that he and his family will be dead within the fortnight, and vows to not rest until all the Romanovs are dead.Rasputin then sells his soul for the power to destroy the Romanov family. With his stronger dark powers, Rasputin uses them to cause dissent among the people, who soon revolt and charge the Palace gates. Anastasia and Marie are in a room in the midst of the chaos, but escape through a secret entrance with the help of a servant boy. As they attempt to make their way across a frozen river on the Palace Grounds, Rasputin confronts them, but ends up on thin ice, which cracks and gives way under him, causing him to sink into the cold waters, leaving behind his magic reliquary and a little fruitbat named Bartok (Hank Azaria).Anastasia and Marie attempt to board a train, but in the process, Anastasia loses her grip on Marie's hand, falling to the platform, where she hits her head and goes unconscious.10 years after the revolution, St Petersburg is filled with gossip that Anastasia (Meg Ryan) may still be alive, with the Dowager Empress Marie (who still resides in Paris) promising to pay a reward for the return of her granddaughter. A conman in St Petersburg named Dimitri (John Cusack) and his assistant Vlad (Kelsey Grammer) are attempting to find a woman to pass off as Anastasia, in hopes of bilking Marie out of the reward.Meanwhile, Anastasia has grown up in an orphanage, under the name of Anya. Having developed amnesia after falling off the train onto the platform, no memory of her past life remains, except for the key/locket to the music box. The head of the orphanage has deemed it time for Anya to go to work, and sends her off to work at a fish factory. Anya soon comes to a fork in the road, with one way leading to the town where the fish factory is, and the other leading to St. Petersburg. Unsure which way to go, Anya is surprised when a little puppy appears, and seems to lead her to St. Petersburg.Once there, she attempts to take a train to Paris, but is denied transit because she does not have an exit visa. A woman who hears this tells Anya to see a man named Dimitri, who she claims can help her. Anya is informed that Dimitri can be found near the now-abandoned Royal Palace, and soon enters. Once inside, she is overcome by various memories, as she enters the now-dusty grand ballroom.Suddenly, a voice rings out, and Anya finds herself face-to-face with Dimitri and Vlad. Looking at her, Dimitri feels that Anya would be perfect for his plans, and convinces Anya that he can help her get to Paris if she will accompany him and Vlad to see the Dowager Empress and see if she may really be the missing Anastasia Romanov. Naturally, Anya goes along with the plan, having no knowledge of who she really is.Meanwhile, in a little alcove of the ballroom, Bartok has been hiding, and notices that Rasputin's reliquary has started to glow. As he lays a hand on it, it suddenly rockets the little bat into 'limbo,' where Rasputin has been for 10 years. Since Anastasia survived, he was not able to die completely, and has been stuck in limbo as a rotting corpse. When Bartok presents him with the reliquary, Rasputin uses its powers to conjure minions to destroy Anastasia.Anya, Dimitri, and Vlad board a train headed to Paris, but end up having to hide in the baggage car when their passports' coloration is overheard to not match the proper color. Rasputin's minions also intend to derail the train, but our group manages to escape before it plunges into a canyon.They continue on foot, with Vlad telling of the Dowager Empress' first cousin, Sophie (Bernadette Peters), who questions anyone claiming to be Anastasia. Anya gets indignant that no one told her she had to prove she was Anastasia. Vlad convinces her that there's nothing for her back in Russia, and that Paris could hold something special. His words convince her, and they begin going over proper etiquette and Romanov history.Eventually, they take a ship from Germany to Paris, where both Dimitri and Anya perform a waltz, which seems to bring the two a bit closer together. That evening, Rasputin invades Anya's dream, and causes her to almost sleepwalk over the edge of the boat, until Dimitri saves her.After the two setbacks, Rasputin decides he will return to the living world and deal with Anastasia himself. Bartok reluctantly follows.Anya, Dimitri and Vlad eventually make it to Paris, unaware that the Dowager Empress has had enough of the various impostors claiming to be her granddaughter, and decides to forgo the search.Just moments after this decision, Anya and the others arrive at the Empress' mansion, and Sophie answers the door. Even though she has been privy to the Empress' wishes, she still questions Anya. Eventually, the questioning turns to just how Anastasia was able to escape from the Palace. Dmitri thinks that they will be found out, but is shocked when Anya explains that a young boy opened a secret passage for her and the Empress to escape through.Sophie explains that Anya appears to have answered all the questions correctly, but explains about Marie's wishes to not see anyone else. Vlad insists that Marie meet Anya, and Sophie hints that Marie will be attending a performance of the Russian Ballet that night. Sophie then takes the three of them shopping for new clothes.Later that evening, Dimitri takes Vlad aside, and explains that with the escape story that Anya told, he is sure that their intended impostor is the real Anastasia, telling Vlad that he was that boy in her story. However, their talk is interrupted as Anya arrives, and they go to their box in the Opera Hall.During the intermission, Dimitri and Anya go to the Empress' private box, where Sophie allows Dimitri to meet with the Empress. However, Marie explains that she's heard about Dmitri, and knows about his schemes to deceive her. Dimitri is thrown out, having failed to see that the door to the box was partially open, and Anya heard the entire conversation. Dimitri tries to explain who she really is, but she storms off and heads back to their residence.Dimitri waits until Marie leaves the Opera House, and then takes the place of her chauffeur, driving her to Anya's residence, and demanding Marie see her. Marie still refuses, until Dimitri produces the music box that she had given Anastasia long before (the music box was left behind after Marie and Anastasia escaped through the secret door).Marie then gives into Dimitri's wish, and talks to Anya. Anya explains that all she wants is to find where she belongs. As they talk, Anya shows Marie the locket she has, and when Marie produces the music box, Anya's memory fully returns, and Marie is overjoyed that she has found her granddaughter again.Marie eventually calls on Dimitri, presenting him with the reward, and her gratitude. Even so, Dimitri refuses the reward, but is glad to see that he has reunited Anastasia with her true family. As he leaves, he encounters Anastasia, and the two exchange few words, with Anastasia believing that Dimitri got his reward after all.Later on that evening, Marie and Anastasia are in attendance at a social function in Paris, in which Anastasia will be revealed to those in attendance. Marie explains that her granddaughter should be happy, but she seems somewhat distant. Marie knows that Anastasia secretly loves Dimitri, and explains to her that he did not take the reward. Marie goes out to join the festivities first, telling Anastasia that whatever path she chooses should make her happy.After Marie leaves, Anastasia is distracted by her puppy, which leads her out into the garden near the building. As she makes her way to a nearby bridge, Rasputin emerges from the fog, and attempts to kill her. However, Dimitri (having had second thoughts) returns to try and save Anastasia. In the process, Anastasia manages to get hold of Rasputin's reliquary, and destroy it, causing the 'mad monk' to finally be destroyed.In the aftermath, Anastasia and Dimitri confess their feelings for the other, and elope, with Anastasia choosing to forgo her royal heritage for love, much to the delight of her grandmother, who declares it a "perfect beginning" for the two young lovers.

Tags: romantic, cute, entertaining

Review:
Ever since, I have been interested in the story of Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanov, her life, and her untimely death.While I know the movie is not historically accurate, I don't care!
The movie is fiction after all- based on a true story (of Anastasia's rumored escape and women who claimed to be her), loosely, mind you- but perhaps it is not as unlikely as it seems: when the remains of the Romanovs were discovered back in 1991, Alexei (her brother,the Czarvitch) and one of the Grand Duchesses were missing.
It draws you into the world of the lost Russian Princess, to a time that is "far away, long ago", that doesn't exist anymore.The music and animation are stunning, and the photo research of St. Petersburg is amazing!
I own the soundtrack- I listen to it frequentlyto help me relax.But what I love best about the movie is the romance that occurs between Anya(Anastasia) and Dimitri.
It's also heartwarming to think that a young boy who saved the girl he liked (princess or not) later helps her restore her identity and find a true place (in this case, happily together with him)."Anastasia" is really my favourite movie of all time, even though now I'm almost 15.
Everything about the film bespeaks loving attention and quality:  the magnificent animation and design re-create lavish Russian and Parisian locations (complete with recognizable artworks and cameos by celebrities of the '20s), and the screenplay balances action, humor, and genuine emotion.
But now that I've seen it again, it's clear that the songs are well written, along with the storyline.This is not based on a true story, only loosely on a few rumors that the real Anastasia survived the killing of her family.
Dimitri and Vladimir at first are looking to find the ideal Anastasia look alike in order to get the riches from her real mother in Paris.A lot of Bluth's films revolve around a journey and a couple involving some history on Russia.
I really enjoyed the songs that played over the end credits, "At the Beginning" and "Journey To The Past" sung in her own way by Aaliyah, the beautiful angelic voiced R&B singer who left way too soon.Brilliantly animated for its time and enjoyable for adults, Anastasia remains a classic family film..
It feels more real than you'd ever expect from an animated movie like this.Anastasia is a movie about a girl named Anya who lost nearly all of her memory about her past and her family.
So as Dimitri and Anya grow closer to learning the truth about her past they must also make a difficult choice about what to do as they begin to fall in love.Anastasia is a movie that just about the entire family will enjoy.
This is a film I recommend to everyone who wants to find good whole-some family entertainment to watch, because Anastasia is perfect for that very reason..
Not as an educational historical reference, but as a wonderful entertaining musical animated movie!
Some of the most beautiful animation and backgrounds in recent history are a central ingredient of "Anastasia", a charming full-length feature based on the famous title character and set against the period of the Russian revolution.
Expert vocal work by Angela Lansbury (Dowager Empress), Meg Ryan (Anastasia), John Kusack (Dimitri) and many others, make the characters seem more dimensional than in most animated features.
Particularly Dimitri and Anastasia, whose love-hate relationship seems startlingly real given the superb animation.The score is studded with some Oscar-nominated music and the sinister moments have the kind of villain you love to hate (Rasputin).
The music is wonderful, better than in many Disney movies, and the story very good.The only things I don't like about the film, is the things that's dangerous about making movies about real historical events.
Anyone who likes a good movie, rent or buy Anastasia.
Love at first sight, and a good, happy ending that nobody expects.Even the actors and actresses who voiced the characters were perfect and unique, it's what really made the movie beside the plot and music.
It's been a long time since you released such great family hits like "The Secret of NIMH" (avoid the god-awful sequel if you know what's good for you), "An American Tail", "The Land Before Time", and "All Dogs Go To Heaven" and even though your career later went downhill with new films like "Rock-A-Doodle", "Thumbelina", and "The Pebble and the Penguin", I've found them decent and watchable while A Troll in Central Park, although not a terrible movie, was in my opinion not a good film.Then, finally, you made a great comeback by competing with Disney yet again this time with another successful film "Anastasia" based on not only the historical event, but the 1956 movie as well.
Even his dark magic sorcery is great which makes him very original.The story is dark, but not as dark as The Secret of NIMH and although, despite it's historical inaccuracies, it's at least good and the pacing never fails to amuse me, but the strongest aspect goes to the songs/music from David Newman with some great haunting and melodic tunes including "Once Upon a December" "Journey to the Past", "In The Dark of the Night" and more and the voice acting with some great talents like Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Angela Lansbury, Hank Azaria, and Christopher Lloyd since they fitted the characters very well throughout the entire film.Anastasia is this close to becoming a masterpiece of animation.
I know lots of people hated this movie for it's historical inaccuracies, but as an animation fan, I'm recommending this to others highly as one of Bluth's best works yet.
The story/legend of Princess Anastasia of Russia is an unlikely tale to be told in an animated musical.
Their film credits include "An American Tail" and "All Dogs Go to Heaven." No surprise, because the film, "Anastasia," like the other films, is darker than most fairy-tale-Disney-movies.
It's more graphic, gritty and real, which is why the end is so disappointing.In a time when CGI seems to be taking over the animation world, "Anastasia" is a good reminder that cartoon films can still be made good.
A "Monsters, Inc.," it isn't, but it is definitely good.I would give "Anastasia" a solid "4," but the end was ridiculous and predictable, and way out of turn for a film of its nature.
The story is excellent(despite of not being a 100% historically correct), the animation is some of the best that I`ve ever seen in a cartoon-movie, and the soundtrack is mostly stunning.
Although it's based on the story of anastasia the Russian grand duchess, the movie does not try to be biographical...
It didn't take long for Tzar Nicholas Romanov and his family to be murdered and replaced by the Bolsheviks.That was the end of Tzarist Russia in 1917.But this film is something else entirely - a beautiful romance between a peasant palace worker and the impetuous and excitable Anastasia Romanov.
still, it presents the story in an enchanting, magical way that could draw younger children into the mystery without even knowing it, and at the same time is just a great feel-good movie for the entire family.the animation is amazing and the scenery is breath taking despite the lack of true historic content.
Fox Home Entertainment has combined star power (Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Angela Lansbury) and expert animation for this memorable, musical feature.
Of  course,  Anastasia  can't  challenge  the  Disney  films,  but  it  has very  beautiful  animation  and  especially  good  songs.
The story and character acting is at least as good as the best of Disney's princess movies.
My Take: First-rate animation, terrific voice cast and brilliant old-fashioned storytelling.It's hard not to mention Disney when it comes to talking about "Great Animated movies".
With colorful animation (rivals any of the studio's recent creations), tuneful music and no lack of energy (be it as an adventure, a romance or a comedy), ANASTASIA takes a big chance, and succeeds magnificently.It's probably best to mention that ANASTASIA is helmed by director/animator Don Bluth, who once had work at the Mouse House, and after leaving, tried to challenge Disney's work with his own efforts with other studios.
The standout is Meg Ryan, as the voice of orphaned Anya (with singing voice by Liz Callaway) who may just be the long-lost-but-rumored-to-be-alive Grand Duchess of the title, who rivals any Disney princess simply for her spunk.As Anya's own leading man, a love-hate relationship (a more topical subject for a G-rated effort) with con man Dimitri (voiced by John Cusack, singing-voice by Jonathan Dokuchitz), who plans to get all the money and acclaim he wants when he delivers a convincing Anastasia stand-in to the very-worried Dowager Empress Marie (the great Angela Lansbury).
He's a distraction to be sure, but thanks both to Lloyd's eccentric energy and the animators limitless imaginations (Rasputin's little demons are quite original, not to mention bold and a little scary, for an animated film), he's a welcome distraction.Overall, the Mouse House is still on top, but ANASTASIA may be one of the few non-Disney movies that gave them a reason to worry.
And as Dimitri and his friend take Anastasia to try and meet her grandmother, Rasputin plots to destroy her.Despite all of that, it ends up being one of the better movies of it's year, and one of the greatest of all animated.
Anastasia is a fantastic movie, you just have to realize that the film is not trying to be historically accurate.
Once you move past this partial problem the film is incredibly enjoyable, beautiful animation by Don Bluth that has fantastic character design, realistic movement, and color.
Combine that with a fun and entertaining story, cute characters and fantastic music on par with Beauty and the Beast or Aladdin and you have a can't miss movie not just for kids but the entire family.
The color was lush, much of the animation was excellent (almost Disney-quality), the music was enjoyable, and the voice talent was fantastic.The fact that it is historical fantasy was not a problem, because it prompted my daughter to ask relevant questions about the history behind the story, and then want to go get out the Encarta to learn more about what really happened during the Russian Revolution.
Both were so "in character" that I didn't place their voices until halfway through the movie, and didn't even mind that niggling feeling you get when you hear a voice you recognize but can't identify.One final comment, which my daughter made me promise to include, and that is that she wonders why with such beautiful color, the animators chose that lackluster yellow for Anastasia's gown in the final, climactic scene.
Fox have out-Disneyed Disney with this masterpiece, a superb blend of romance, comedy and adventure set to some of the best visuals ever seen in an animated film.The stellar cast of voices is certainly worth the big bucks which it must have cost Fox to land them.
Meg Ryan and John Cusack are both excellent, but Kelsey Grammer steals the show as Vladimir, with some fine singing and a decent Russian accent to boot.Where Anastasia beats most Disney films is in the music.
Liz Callaway's 'Journey To The Past' and 'Once Upon A December' are my personal favourites, but the entire soundtrack is worth buying, something you can't say for most movie soundtracks.A lot of these comments here criticise Anastasia for it's historical inaccuracy, which I find totally ridiculous.
'Anastasia' is a wonderful story, with some excellent songs, especially 'Journey To The Past' and 'Once Upon A December', and some of the scenes are just pure magic, like when Anya is inside the old castle dreaming of how it once was there.
Very few animation scenes can compete with the train scene here, which looks extremely realistic.'Anastasia' has a great story, some wonderful songs and fantastic graphics.
What do you get when you put together greats like John Cusack, Meg Ryan, Kelsey Grammer, Christopher Lloyed and others, with extremely detailed animation and a fun and entertaining story filled with a beautiful soundtrack?
And, the more you watch it the more of the little things you notice, like the wonderful facial expressions of the characters at different points of the movie.
All of the characters converse in a realistic and amusing way, and this movie has the best dialogue by far than any other animated flicks.2).
The "Animated Kid Film Requirements"-Cute but not sappy romance {CHECK}-A vile and awful villain that makes the children shudder {CHECK}-Animal sidekicks {Two checks}-Great visuals and outstanding animation {CHECK 10x}-Action scenes {CHECK}-A lovable hero/heroine {CHECK FOR BOTH}There are many other things that I adore about this movie, but sadly I have a word limit and I'm not sure if I'm going over or not.
The first reason I loved this movie was because the voices for the characters were actually singing.
I know it's an animated movie, but it was sort of based on a real story, and and undead corpse that can basically pull itself apart at will isn't exactly 'realistic.'.
Even though the facts and history shown through out the movie isn't always correct, that still shouldn't stop you from loving the characters, story, and above all, the music!
This is the kind of movie you will want to watch over and over and over.It starts out at a Russian ball,were Anastasia receives a gift from her grandmother,the dowager empress.Then the evil Rasputin crashes the party and curses the Romanovs.Then,soldiers attack the palace and they try to kill the royal family.Anastasia's Mother,Father,brother,and sisters are killed.But,She and her Grandmother get away safely.Well,at least her grandmother did.they tried to board a train but Anastasia fell off and hit her head on the tracks.Ten years later,Anastasia is alive,but because of the fall she took,She can't remember who she is.The only clue she has is the gift her grandmother gave her,a necklace that says "together in Paris".It would be wrong of me to say anymore.This is a great Movie!!!.
And Anastasia is drawn to look like a real girl and not the "Barbie Doll, no rib cage women" famous Disney animation!
I usually am not one to see animated movies unless it's the new summer Disney musical (e.g. Mulan, Hercules, Aladdin), but Anastasia caught my eye in the previews.
One good example of this is Disney's "Jungle Book" where, although the child returns to live with humans, the animals who cared for him lose a friend.The difference here is that at least the Disney films have at least a few tolerable songs - some even memorable ones.
The only good song was probably the one Anastasia sings herself.If Don Bluth is going to continue churning out such inferior material, then Disney really has nothing to fear.
If you really want to watch an enjoyable non-Disney animated flick with good music and story, try "The Prince Of Egypt" from Dreamworks!.
I watched all Fred Astaire's movies, I love "Singing in The Rain", so I usually don't have a problem with musicals, but I couldn't cope with "Anastasia"!
For a long time, it seemed like only Disney could make great traditionally animated films.
Hank Azaria does a good and funny job as Rasputin's bat sidekick, Bartok.Overall, "Anastasia", is a great animated film that's worth watching..
But I loved the songs most of all in this movie especially "A Rumor in St. Petersburg," for that particular scene looks and feels like a live Broadway show.
Needless to say, one of the men is Dimitri, a young man who inevitably falls in love with the princess.The animation is spectacular, creating a classical feel that has been absent for a long time, but has never left Don Bluth's films over twenty years.
She finds that she is Anastasia and after defeating Rasputin (who's been out to get her from the start of the movie) Anastasia and Dimitri elope.Rich in animation and music, the songs are a haunting reminder of the actual Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicholaevna, and her downfall as well as her siblings and parents.
Anastasia may be historically incorrect, but it's a just plain fun movie with beautiful animation and music.
Also, if there was an award for 'best costumes in an animated film,' I think this would be a winner.Other characters: Rasputin makes this movie something u definitely don't want to see after a big lunch...as far as villains go, he's good for laughs but not essential to the story (although his existence makes the nightmare scene that much more powerful).
The snappy little animated film that Disney doesn't want you to see..
In fact, Anastasia has it all: a smooth and flowing storyline (despite the hocus-pocus with historical events one expects from such movies), stunning artwork, and a memorable song ("Once Upon a December") that Disney only wishes it could slap on one of their soundtracks.
I feel that Anastasia is one of the best animated films I've seen; and believe me, at twenty years old I grew up watching animated films from Disney and the like.
That movie was a great combination of animation and music.
What I liked best in "Anastasia" was the wonderful combination of the BEAUTIFUL music and the wonderful animation.
The melody, the lyrics, everything is GREAT in the music of "Anastasia" What I can do at last is to thank the makers for the beautiful animation, and to wonder from where to take untranslated cassette of that wonderful movie..
So if the plot doesn't flow with the real story, the actors don't...well talk well, plus the animations were outdated for that time...it equals to one bad movie.And as for anyone that thinks this is comparable to Disney movies is joking themselves, and needs to actually watch Disney movies along with Anastasia.
The real story would have been way too dark for kids :P and I remember thinking once that Rasputin was pretty scary actually, and fugly xD but this movie is a MASTERPIECE!!!.
Anastasia is by far the only good Don Bluth movie from the 90's.