Anastasia (1956)

An opportunistic Russian businessman tries to pass a mysterious impostor as the Grand Duchess Anastasia. But she is so convincing in her performance that even the biggest skeptics believe her.

Director:

Anatole Litvak

Writers:

Arthur Laurents (screenplay), Marcelle Maurette (play),

Stars:

Ingrid Bergman, Yul Brynner, Helen Hayes

Won 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ingrid Bergman	...	Anna Koreff
Yul Brynner	...	General Sergei Pavlovich Bounine
Helen Hayes	...	Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna
Akim Tamiroff	...	Boris Adreivich Chernov
Martita Hunt	...	Baroness Elena von Livenbaum
Felix Aylmer	...	Chamberlain
Sacha Pitoëff	...	Piotr Ivanovich Petrovin (as Sacha Pitoeff)
Ivan Desny	...	Prince Paul von Haraldberg
Natalie Schafer	...	Irina Lissemskaia
Grégoire Gromoff	...	Stepan (as Gregoire Gromoff)
Karel Stepanek	...	Mikhail Vlados
Ina De La Haye	...	Marusia (as Ina de la Haye)
Katherine Kath	...	Maxime

Storyline

Russian exiles in Paris plot to collect ten million pounds from the Bank of England by grooming a destitute, suicidal girl to pose as heir to the Russian throne. While Bounin is coaching her he comes to believe she is really Anastasia. In the end the Empress must decide her claim.

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Plot Keywords:

russian | exile | aristocrat | cinderella story | imperial family | 

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Taglines:

From the sensational Broadway stage success that had audiences crying its acclaim!

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

13 December 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Anastazja

Filming Locations:

Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky - 12 Rue Daru, Paris 8, Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original Broadway production of "Anastasia" by Marcelle Maurette (English adaptation by Guy Bolton) opened at the Lyceum Theatre on December 29, 1954, ran for 272 performances and closed on September 24, 1955.

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Quotes

Anastasia: The poor have only one advantage; they know when they are loved for themselves.

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Connections

Referenced in What's My Line?: Episode dated 6 January 1957 (1957)

User Reviews

A great argument for letter boxing

This is a great movie with fabulous performances by Brynner, Bergman, and Hayes. My one complaint is not about the movie, but the videotape. Litvak made a beautiful movie and used every inch of the screen. There are multiple scenes where the three principals are located left, right, and center. With pan-and-scan you can never see more than two of them at a time. This movie deserves to be re-released in its original aspect; better yet, release it on DVD. But go ahead and see it; you will be moved by the story.