Anastasia [DVD] [1956]

The legend of Anastasia, the youngest daughter of the last Tsar of Russia who managed to escape whilst her family were shot and killed by revolutionaries, has now been definitively disproved by DNA testing and the discovery of her body in 2008. However before that time, it inspired many films, most notably the 1997 animated musical and this underrrated 1956 film.In 2009, the discovery of a body and some DNA testing proved that the legend really was a legend after all- and yet this fact doesn't harm the film, as the film contains many themes that still resonate: the need for an identity, the grieving process, the need to let go of the past- each time you watch the film you will doubtless uncover more themes.The film is essentially a Pygmalion story (hence the title of my review). Ex-General Bounine (Yul Brynner) intends to make his money by finding a girl he can successfully pass of as the lost Anastasia and therefore claim his financial reward. When he discovers a homeless amnesiac (Ingrid Bergman) who resembles Anastasia, Bounine reckons he's got it made. All he has to do is train this madwoman. But as training progresses, Bounine starts to wonder whether she may be Anastasia after all...The premise could easily have been turned into a sugary insult to factual history but the screenplay is surprisingly witty and knowing. The romance between Bounine and Anastasia is hinted at rather that explicitly stated but the chemistry between Brynner and Bergman is electric. Helen Hayes, as Dowager Empress Marie, adds depth and grandeur to a role that could have come across as sentimental.It's a shame that the 1956 version wasn't a musical- it was perfect fodder for a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. My only criticism is that the film is too short. With film-making of this quality, an epic length film would have been justifiable.

Ingrid Bergmans return to Hollywood. She won the academy award for her portrayal of a "Suspect" Anastasia.Based on the French play, but adapted for the film. This is a classic master performance by Bergman.The other major stars are virtually obliterated by Bergman. Excepting the small role of Martita Hunt as the dowager Tsarina's [Helen Hayes] Lady in Waiting.The major problem with this DVD is the sound level. It goes from near zero to loud and back again in a matter of seconds.Still, this is a "Must Have Classic Movie". Anastasia- Studio Classics [DVD ]

Ingrid Bergman's best performance? And two unforgettable song and dance sequences of russian-gypsy singer and dancer Maroussia Dimitrievitch, a close friend of main actor Yul Brynner. If ever you didn't like gypsies, you will like them as from seeing this film... And that's the great message of this film, the triumph of love and friendship against mistrust. Anastasia (played by Ingrid Bergman) is the daughter of the Tsar, executed in 1918, after the Russian revolution.

The film is a very good classic and good picture quality, but the sound is really disappointing. Too low and you can barely hear it on TV speakers on maximum. Listening through 5.1 receiver is slightly better, but only just. Perhaps there are other versions out there that have done better job transferring to DVD or Bluray, but I wouldn't recommend this particular one.

Such classic movie that you can watch time and again.

I think it's the best film Ingrid made... Helen Hayes is perfect for the haughty Matriarch. Martita Hunt flits aroundlike a hummingbird ...a far cry from her portrayal of the Mad Miss Haversham in Great Expectations. But Ingrid'sperformance as Anastatia is so believable ...little wonder she has won so many Oscars.It's an historic film and a mystery. I hope it's a true story.Roger Asquith

Would recommend this DVD to all Yul Brynner fans. From a historical point of view the filmscript is suspect. I felt nearly all the players in this movie are excellent. My one and only tiny bug bear is that the ending could have been better, but that is the fault of the scriptwriters not the actors.

The movie is well acted but dated. The DVD i received was of bad quality in sound.