The last surviving child of the Russian Royal Family joins two con men to reunite with her grandmother, the Dowager Empress, while the undead Rasputin seeks her death.The last surviving child of the Russian Royal Family joins two con men to reunite with her grandmother, the Dowager Empress, while the undead Rasputin seeks her death.The last surviving child of the Russian Royal Family joins two con men to reunite with her grandmother, the Dowager Empress, while the undead Rasputin seeks her death.
- Directors
- Writers
- Susan Gauthier(screenplay by)
- Bruce Graham(screenplay by)
- Bob Tzudiker(screenplay by)
- Stars
- Meg Ryan(voice)
- John Cusack(voice)
- Christopher Lloyd(voice)
Top credits
- Directors
- Writers
- Susan Gauthier(screenplay by)
- Bruce Graham(screenplay by)
- Bob Tzudiker(screenplay by)
- Stars
- Meg Ryan(voice)
- John Cusack(voice)
- Christopher Lloyd(voice)
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 10 wins & 23 nominations total
Videos3
John Cusack
- Dimitrias Dimitri
- (voice)
Hank Azaria
- Bartokas Bartok
- (voice)
Liz Callaway
- Anastasiaas Anastasia
- (singing voice)
Lacey Chabert
- Young Anastasiaas Young Anastasia
- (singing voice)
Jim Cummings
- Rasputinas Rasputin
- (singing voice)
Jonathan Dokuchitz
- Dimitrias Dimitri
- (singing voice)
- Directors
- Writers
- Susan Gauthier(screenplay by)
- Bruce Graham(screenplay by)
- Bob Tzudiker(screenplay by)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn real life, Olga really did say that Anastasia's drawing looked like a pig riding a donkey. This was stated by Anastasia in a letter to her father, and the image used in the movie is a reproduction of the original picture.
- GoofsThroughout the film, Anastasia is often referred to as a Princess, while her proper title was "Velikaya Knyaginya". However, while the literal translation of this title is "Grand Duchess", it is essentially equivalent to the British title of a Princess, so it is a reasonably accurate semantic translation to English, which is the language of the film after all. In any case, Anastasia is also called a Grand Duchess during the film, which means that the filmmakers were fully aware of the alternative translation.
- Quotes
Dowager Empress Marie: Young man, where did you get that music box? You were the boy, weren't you? The servant boy who got us out? You saved her life and mine and you restored her to me. Yet you want no reward.
Dimitri: Not anymore.
Dowager Empress Marie: Why the change of mind?
Dimitri: It was more a change of heart.
- Crazy creditsClips of the characters are shown along with the names of their respective actors during the beginning of the second part of the initial credits.
- Alternate versionsThe version shown on HBO and related channels contains extra credits for the Spanish-language version of the film. The song over those credits, a Spanish version of "Journey to the Past," was on the film's soundtrack album.
- SoundtracksOnce Upon a December (Prologue)
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Performed by Angela Lansbury and Lacey Chabert
Top review
This blew me away!
This is my personal favourite of the Don Bluth movies. I also recommend American Tail, Land Before Time and All Dogs Go To Heaven. Anastasia is just beautiful, and was one of the most requested films when we had our family cinemas. A couple of years ago, I got it on video, and all those memories came back. I love this movie so much. The animation is gorgeous. The characters are well drawn, and the backgrounds and colours are stunning. There is a lot of wit between the characters. Not to mention a truly sweet romance between Anastasia and Dimitri. Whoever hated this movie, must be told, that this is so much more watchable than Richard Rich's King and I. Anastasia herself is so beautiful. The highlights were Anastasia's dream and the scene on the train. The songs are what make this movie. My favourite is "Once Upon a December" as it is so nostalgic, haunting and poignant. All the other songs are well done and move the story forward. Even "Dark of the Night". As for the story, yes it is historically inaccurate, but so is Pocahontas, and this is marginally better. It was so well told. In some Don Bluth movies, they lose the essence right from minute one, but not here. As for the voice talents, they were all impeccable. Meg Ryan was suitably feisty as Anastasia, and Liz Callaway did her singing voice beautifully. John Cusack put an immense amount of charm into his voice-over, although Dimitri was for me was the weakest character in the movie. Kelsey Grammar has great fun as Vladmir, and also check him out as Zozi in Bartok the Magnificent. Christopher Lloyd voices villain Rasputin with over the top menace, and the villain loses his body parts here. We have all had days like that. Hank Azaria is also great as Bartok.Underrated Broadway actress Bernadette Peters has a great french accent, and I had so much fun with her singing "Paris hold the key to your heart." For me, Angela Lansbury provides a completely human and poignant character in the Dowager Empress. Her prologue was so well paced, and there was a side to the great character actress that I never knew she had. In conclusion, a sweet and beautiful animation that is essential to all animation lovers. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•503
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 13, 2009
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- The Music Box
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $50,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $58,406,347
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $120,541
- Nov 16, 1997
- Gross worldwide
- $139,804,348
- Runtime1 hour 34 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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