Anastasia (November 14, 1997)

This is a film produced by Fox Animation, one of three and their only success. It has since been adapted into a Broadway musical. The story is loosely based on the legend of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia which claims she escaped the execution of her family during the Russian revolution. It is criticized for its fantastical retelling of the life of the Grand Duchess, who by all accounts died along with her family during the time of upheaval in Russia during the early twentieth century. It is unique for an American film company to produce a film about Russian (not as the bad guys!), especially imperialist Russia. It does however portray the communist rulers as the enemies while the people cling to the hope that their Princess Anastasia lives. The animation is stunning (especially the glittering jewels), rivaling that of the Disney films of the time, while being distinctive. The characters do tend to overexaggerate their movements but that is all part of its charm. The songs are spectacular, with “Journey to the Past” earning a nomination for Best Original Song at the 70th Academy Awards. Other standouts are, “Once Upon a December” which sees Anastasia trying to slowly piecing together her past as princess as a feeling from her past calls to her within the old imperial palace she used to call home (she currently has amnesia) and “Learn to Do It” which follows Dimitri and his companion, con-men who are hoping to use Anastasia’s (who called herself Anya) striking resemblance to the lost duchess for financial gain , as they train ‘Anya,’ who is looking for a train ticket to Paris, to be a proper lady. They plan to bring her to the former empress to, hopefully, cash in on a reward. The main antagonist of the film is Rasputin, who was a real historical figure, who wants Anastasia, as the supposed last of the Romanov dynasty, dead. He is a power-crazed (conveniently dead) sorcerer who cast a curse on the Romanov family after they betrayed him which lead to his untimely death. His side kick is Bartok, a bat who actually got his own, surprisingly good, spin off movie (a prequel). Romance blossoms between Anastasia and Dimitri which is complicated by both the revelation that she is in fact the long-lost Grad Duchess Anastasia and that Dimitri was using her all along. It is a cute, albeit cliqued, romance but it works on the strength of the two characters. Anastasia is a strong-willed young girl who has had to survive in an orphanage all alone; she is somehow held in check by the equally streetwise and surprisingly charming Dimitri. They are perfect for each other as they continually save each other from disaster. Overall, this is a hidden gem of a film with a unique setting, great songs, and larger than life characters. It is often confused for being a Disney film, but it rightfully stands all on its own.

Final Rating: 7.5/10