The adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's classic has been brought to screen more than 20 times so far. There are a lot of interpretations of the novel, a lot of visions of the sad fate of Anna Karenina. They are generally faithful to Tolstoy's novel. The minor changes, entailed in adaptations, are not to be criticized since each director has the right to interpret the content of a novel in an individual fashion. Nevertheless, Clarence Brown's movie with Greta Garbo in the main role is the most powerful of all adaptations made so far.
Before seeing this movie, there are some inevitable pieces of information that one should know about this adaptation of Tolstoy's classic. Greta Garbo was cast as Anna Karenina twice in her life. This movie was, in fact, a remake of the silent film by Edmund Goulding LOVE (1927) where Greta played with John Gilbert, one of the most powerful men in her career and private life. That version, however, had not survived in its popularity in the long run. The producers even made two endings, a sad and a happy one so that cinemas could choose an appropriate one for the needs of their audience. 8 years later, in 1935, Clarence Brown made something entirely different: a movie that really fitted to Greta's talent, a sort of tribute to Tolstoy and Garbo, something that the fans of both waited for.
There are a lot of impressive moments in the movie. From the very beginning, the decorations, the splendor do leave an everlasting impact in the viewer. The first time we see Anna Karenina is when she gets out of the train and her face becomes more and more visible from the steam (technically very well made). Very soon, there is an accident on a railroad station, a kind of prediction of Anna's death. Among other scenes, the moment of her death is particularly moving. Although there is a tragedy, the train moves on... And does the world care...?
Touching moments are something that make the movie worth seeing. Most moments of Anna being with her son, Sergei (Freddie Bartholomew) make the eyes tearful. Greta Garbo here beautifully shows someone who wants to be a good mother and at the same time, someone who desires to be loved and who has the right for personal happiness.
The cast are great, absolutely impressive performances. Except for Greta Garbo who raised the value of most of films she performed in, Basil Rathbone's portrayal of cruel and cold Karenin is really worth your attention. After Greta, he is another SHINING STAR of the movie. Freddie Bartholomew as Sergei is memorable, too. He was 11 when he played in this film and he managed so well. Fredric March, the symbol of the 1930s and 1940s Hollywood, did not give his best performance here; however, there are moments where he plays really well.
In spite of some shortcomings of the movie (skipped plot of Kitty and Levin, long scenes or sometimes dated script fitting to its era only - e.g. in Venice Anna Karenina says to Vronsky: "Is there still pain in the world?"), Brown's ANNA KARENINA is a very good film. Although it is 70 years old, it is still a high entertainment, a piece of film art that deserves the attention of today's audience, that deserves being released on DVD.
If you like this genre, this film is really worth seeing. Even if you are not particularly interested in Tolstoy, your pleasure may be reduced to the admiration of real Hollywood elite of the 1930s. WONDERFUL FILM! 9/10!
Before seeing this movie, there are some inevitable pieces of information that one should know about this adaptation of Tolstoy's classic. Greta Garbo was cast as Anna Karenina twice in her life. This movie was, in fact, a remake of the silent film by Edmund Goulding LOVE (1927) where Greta played with John Gilbert, one of the most powerful men in her career and private life. That version, however, had not survived in its popularity in the long run. The producers even made two endings, a sad and a happy one so that cinemas could choose an appropriate one for the needs of their audience. 8 years later, in 1935, Clarence Brown made something entirely different: a movie that really fitted to Greta's talent, a sort of tribute to Tolstoy and Garbo, something that the fans of both waited for.
There are a lot of impressive moments in the movie. From the very beginning, the decorations, the splendor do leave an everlasting impact in the viewer. The first time we see Anna Karenina is when she gets out of the train and her face becomes more and more visible from the steam (technically very well made). Very soon, there is an accident on a railroad station, a kind of prediction of Anna's death. Among other scenes, the moment of her death is particularly moving. Although there is a tragedy, the train moves on... And does the world care...?
Touching moments are something that make the movie worth seeing. Most moments of Anna being with her son, Sergei (Freddie Bartholomew) make the eyes tearful. Greta Garbo here beautifully shows someone who wants to be a good mother and at the same time, someone who desires to be loved and who has the right for personal happiness.
The cast are great, absolutely impressive performances. Except for Greta Garbo who raised the value of most of films she performed in, Basil Rathbone's portrayal of cruel and cold Karenin is really worth your attention. After Greta, he is another SHINING STAR of the movie. Freddie Bartholomew as Sergei is memorable, too. He was 11 when he played in this film and he managed so well. Fredric March, the symbol of the 1930s and 1940s Hollywood, did not give his best performance here; however, there are moments where he plays really well.
In spite of some shortcomings of the movie (skipped plot of Kitty and Levin, long scenes or sometimes dated script fitting to its era only - e.g. in Venice Anna Karenina says to Vronsky: "Is there still pain in the world?"), Brown's ANNA KARENINA is a very good film. Although it is 70 years old, it is still a high entertainment, a piece of film art that deserves the attention of today's audience, that deserves being released on DVD.
If you like this genre, this film is really worth seeing. Even if you are not particularly interested in Tolstoy, your pleasure may be reduced to the admiration of real Hollywood elite of the 1930s. WONDERFUL FILM! 9/10!