Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna (1986) (TV)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Marvin J. Chomsky

Writers:

James Goldman (writer)
Peter Kurth (book)

Release Date:

7 December 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery

Plot:

Story of Anna Anderson, who claimed to be Anastasia Romanov, the only surviving daughter of the Czar and Czarina of Russia. |

Plot Keywords:

Russia | Czar | Amnesia | 1910s | Russian History

Awards:

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Amy Irving	...	Anna Anderson
Olivia de Havilland	...	Dowager Empress Maria
Jan Niklas	...	Prince Erich
Nicolas Surovy	...	Serge Markov
Susan Lucci	...	Darya Romanoff
Elke Sommer	...	Isabel Von Hohenstauffen
Edward Fox	...	Dr. Hauser
Claire Bloom	...	Czarina Alexandra
Omar Sharif	...	Czar Nicholas II
Rex Harrison	...	Grand Duke Cyril Romanov
Jennifer Dundas	...	Anastasia
Christian Bale	...	Alexei
Andrea Bretterbauer	...	Sonya Markov
Sydney Bromley	...	Herbert
Arnold Diamond	...	Dr. Markov

Also Known As:

Anastasia (USA) (working title)
Anastasia: The Story of Anna (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

200 min

Country:

USA | Austria | Italy

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Australia:PG | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Vienna, Austria

Company:

Consolidated Entertainment

Trivia:

At the time this drama was filmed, it was not then known that Anna Andersen was not the Grand Duchess Anastasia; this fact was only discovered later, through DNA comparison after her death.

DNA test results

I wouldn't be so sure to accept the DNA tests as irrefutable evidence against Anna Anderson. First, read Peter Kurth's book on which this film is based. Anna Anderson knew things that only the real Grand Duchess Anastasia could possibly have known (forensic evidence in Anna's favor aside). Second, compare the pictures of Anastasia and Anna Anderson. Anyone can see that they are one-and-the-same person. Third, visit Peter Kurth's website (url below) where you can read detailed information about the DNA tests, as well as why Franziska Schanzkowska and Anna Anderson are not the same person (scroll down to the link, "ANNA-ANASTASIA NOTES ON FRANZISKA SCHANZKOWSKA"). Even Schanzkowska's relatives believed that their sister and Anna Anderson were not the same person.

I for one will always believe that HIH Anastasia Nicolevna Romanova and Anna Anderson were indeed the same person; I will never be swayed to the contrary .

www.peterkurth.com