Anna Karenina (1997)

26% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(3,331 ratings)

Leo Tolstoy's classic novel is brought to the screen once again in what was the first American-based production of this story to be filmed on location in Russia. Anna (Sophie Marceau) is married to Alexei (James Fox), but while their relationship is not outwardly unhappy, it's clear that neither has… More Leo Tolstoy's classic novel is brought to the screen once again in what was the first American-based production of this story to be filmed on location in Russia. Anna (Sophie Marceau) is married to Alexei (James Fox), but while their relationship is not outwardly unhappy, it's clear that neither has much enthusiasm for either their spouse or their marriage. While visiting her bother Stiva (Danny Huston), who is having marital problems of his own, Anna meets Count Vronsky (Sean Bean). An immediate mutual attraction arises between them, and soon Vronsky has left behind his mistress Kitty (Mia Kirshner) to pursue Anna. Anna is initially uncertain about her feelings, but she soon throws caution to the wind and embarks on a passionate affair with Vronsky. However, Anna's love for the Count is strong enough that Alexei becomes keenly aware of her indiscretion, and when she discovers that she is carrying Vronsky's child, Alexei offers her two options -- she can leave Vronsky, resume her marriage, and keep the baby, or stay with Vronsky and give up her unborn child. This was at least the tenth feature-length production of Anna Karenina to reach the screen, though one of the best known appeared under a different title -- Love, starring Gretta Garbo. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Bernard Rose
Written By: Leo Tolstoy, Bernard Rose
Genres: Drama, Special Interest

In Theaters: Apr 4, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Jun 24, 2008

Critic Reviews

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Only die-hard romantics are likely not to come away disappointed.
Stanley Kauffmann, New Republic
[Rose's] screenplay is a ragbag, nothing like a tragedy in which the nemesis is Time. And his casting!
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Bloodless and shallow adaptation.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
This sleek, Cliffs Notes version of a masterpiece is ... glossy and picture perfect on the surface and hollow at the core.
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle
When [Anna and Vronsky] first lay eyes on each other at the train station in St. Petersburg, the only steam between them comes from the engine.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
A copy of the paperback book should cost about as much as a movie ticket, and will provide a more lasting and worthwhile investment.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
You're better off reading the Cliff's Notes.
Kim Williamson, Boxoffice Magazine
Like its opening, Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina is half-successful.
, E! Online
Doesn't build strong relationships between the characters, relying instead on overheated words and performances to generate false intensity.
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies
Provided you have a burning interest in pretty visuals and less regard for the whys and wherefores of human behavior, this latest adaptation of Tolstoy's classic is a pleasant watch.
Angie Errigo, Empire Magazine
This version manages to be both the most pretentious and anaemic yet.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Leo L

Simply brilliant!

Cast

            Sophie Marceau as Anna Karenina

            Sean Bean as Count Vronsky

            Alfred Molina as Constantine Levin

            Mia Kirshner as Kitty Scherbatsky

            James Fox as Alexei Karenin

            Fiona Shaw as Lydia

            Niall Buggy as Doctor

            Anna Calder-Marshall as Princess Scherbatsky

            Anthony Calf as Serpuhovskoy

            Vernon Dobtcheff as Pestov

            Stefan Gryff as Korunsky

            Phyllida Law as Vronskaya

            David Schofield as Nikolai

            Jennifer Hall as Betsy

            Danny Huston as Stiva

            Sergei Parshin as Doctor's Doorman

            Saskia Wickham as Dolly Oblonsky

            Justine Waddell as Countess Nordston

            Jeremy Sheffield as Boris

            Nora Gryakalova as Myagkaya

            Gelena Ivleva as Lizaveta

            Yuliya Krasnova as Annushka

            Konstantin Lukashov as Moscow Railway Worker

            Kseniya Rappoport as Maria

            Sergei Scherbin as Korney

            Petr Shelokhonov as Kapitonich

            Valerie Braddell as Ambassador's Wife

            Igor Efimov as Servant

            Hamish Falconer as Seriozha

            Victor Gurianov as Peasant

            Mikail Hmelev as Mahotin

            Barbara Horne as Miss Edwards

            Oleg Kosminsky as Titus

            Larissa Kousnetsova as Agatha

            Valery Kukhareshen as Specialist Doctor

            Ludmila Kurepova as Princess Sorokin

            Alexandra Lavrova as Young Anna

            German Maximov as Priest

            Father Vadim Sadovnikov as Inn Priest

            Leonty Varenstov as Peasant

            Tatiana Zaharova as Midwife

            Alexander Godunov
            
            Bolshoi Ballet
            
            Maya Plisetskaya
            
            Vladimir Tihonov
            
            Yuri Simonov
            
            Yuri Vladimirov
            
See full cast