Anastasia

Movie Trailer

Release Date
November 21, 1997

Genre
Animated, Adventure, Musical, Family

Cast & Crew

• Meg Ryan as Anastasia (voice)
• John Cusack as Dimitri (voice)
• Kelsey Grammer as Vladimir (voice)
• Christopher Lloyd as Rasputin (voice)
• Angela Lansbury as Dowager Empress Marie (voice)
• Hank Azaria as Bartok (voice)

Directors
Don Bluth, Gary Goldman

Other Movies Directors are Known For

• The Secret of NIMH (1982) – Don Bluth
• All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989) – Don Bluth
• Titan A.E. (2000) – Don Bluth, Gary Goldman

Producer
Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, Susan Gauthier

Writer
Susan Gauthier, Bruce Graham, Bob Tzudiker, Noni White

Budget
$50 million (estimated)

Production Company
20th Century Fox, Fox Animation Studios

Running Time
94 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
G

Content Advisory

• Mild peril
• Fantasy themes
• Some dark imagery (villain scenes)

Movie Story
“Anastasia” is an enchanting animated musical that blends historical fiction with fantasy, telling the story of the lost Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia. Set during the early 20th century, the film follows a young orphan named Anya (voiced by Meg Ryan), who suffers from amnesia and has no recollection of her past. Unbeknownst to her, Anya is actually Anastasia, the youngest daughter of the last Tsar of Russia, who was separated from her family during the Russian Revolution.

Years later, with the Russian Empire overthrown and the royal family believed to be dead, the Dowager Empress Marie (voiced by Angela Lansbury) has offered a reward for the safe return of her lost granddaughter, Anastasia. Two con men, Dimitri (voiced by John Cusack) and Vladimir (voiced by Kelsey Grammer), hatch a plan to present Anya as the missing princess in order to claim the reward. As they travel to Paris to meet the Dowager Empress, Anya begins to remember fragments of her past, leading to the realization that she might truly be the missing Anastasia.

Their journey is fraught with danger, as they are pursued by the evil Rasputin (voiced by Christopher Lloyd), who seeks revenge on the Romanov family and uses dark magic to try and prevent Anastasia from reclaiming her rightful place. The film’s mix of adventure, romance, and memorable musical numbers, such as “Journey to the Past” and “Once Upon a December,” creates a captivating experience for audiences of all ages.

Special Effects
“Anastasia” features beautiful animation that combines traditional hand-drawn techniques with early CGI, giving the film a rich, detailed look that enhances its fantastical elements. The scenes involving Rasputin’s magic are particularly striking, using vivid colors and effects to create a sense of otherworldly danger.

Box Office Performance
“Anastasia” was a box office success, grossing over $139 million worldwide. It became a beloved classic and solidified Don Bluth’s reputation as one of the leading figures in non-Disney animation. The film’s success also led to a Broadway musical adaptation in 2017.

Filming Locations

• The film was animated at Fox Animation Studios in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Notable Quotes

• “You are the crown jewel of Russia, and you are my greatest treasure.” – Dowager Empress Marie
• “I am the one who will destroy the Romanov curse forever!” – Rasputin

Behind-the-Scenes
Don Bluth and Gary Goldman, former Disney animators, directed “Anastasia” as a part of their efforts to create high-quality animated films outside of Disney’s influence. The film’s success helped to establish Fox Animation Studios as a competitor in the animation industry during the 1990s.

Awards

• Nominated for 2 Academy Awards: Best Original Song (“Journey to the Past”), Best Original Musical or Comedy Score
• Won 1 Annie Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Directing in an Animated Feature Production (Don Bluth, Gary Goldman)

Final Verdict
“Anastasia” is a beautifully crafted animated film that combines history, fantasy, and music into a compelling story that resonates with viewers of all ages. With its memorable characters, stunning animation, and enchanting soundtrack, “Anastasia” has rightfully earned its place as a beloved classic in the world of animated cinema. Fans of epic adventures and timeless fairy tales will find much to love in this captivating tale of lost royalty and self-discovery.

IMDb Rating
7.2/10