Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27499 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-02-01
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: German
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 103 minutes

Customer Reviews

The best Western film version!
As a Russian who has seen several film versions of Tolstoy's novel Anna Karenina, I should say that in my opinion this is the best. There is an outstanding Russian film filmed in the 60s, but it's impossible to find it in an English translation. So, this is really the best Western film! All the others just stylised the Russian life and showed a Russia which has never existed.

But this film shows the real Russian atmosphere of the 19th century (and by the way, there are some Russian actors playing in the film, and sometimes the heroes even try to speak Russian!). What is more, it was filmed in Russia. And although the directors of the film very strangely mixed Moscow and St. Petersburg (there is a shot there showing the choreographic school and the Academic theatre in St. Petersburg with the sign "Moscow"!), this film is definitely worth seeing!

Beautiful production, poor editing
I have read this book and was looking forward to the acting performances of some of my favorite actors. They did not disappoint me. The scenes were set beautifully, costumes likewise. Music was enchanting. I feel I saw more of the secondary characters than Anna and her paramour who were supposed to be the focus in the film. Sean Bean is convincing as the man obsessed with another man's wife. Sophie is tiny in stature but commanding in her role. I feel half the novel is missing and the story is no longer an epic in the hands of this editor. Much of the meaning is lost. As a strong Sean Bean fan, I'm sorry he wasn't allowed more screen time, to help develop his character. As it is, I am not sorry I bought it because much remains of what was shot, but I wonder what it could have been like with another film editor.

A Beautiful Version of a Classic Ruined!
I first saw this version of Tolstoy`s Classic some years ago. I was enchanted and captivated by the sheer beauty of the production, the superb performances of the actors and the breathtaking tragedy of Anna as portrayed by Sophie Marceau. I have waited with patience for this wonderful film to be released on DVD. This version, originating in Germany has been cut to shreds. So much of the original is missing, it`s like watching a ` highlight show`. Furthermore, the English language Dolby 2.0 film is stuck with German Sub Titles which cannot be removed. As one who now lives in Denmark, although familiar with this practice (The Danes do it too), I found it nonetheless irritating to have words printed across the chests of the actors, diverting attention from the film on screen. Why is is that with digital technology allowing the viewer the choice as to whether to have or have not these annoying subtitles, the producers of this DVD have decided to make that decision for us. Please understand that my low appraisal and rating applies to this particular DVD issue and not the film itself, which is sublime. I just hope that an English Language version will be released, with the uncut version in all it`s glory.