The film starts Part 1 in December 1916, at a lavish ballroom gathering just before the Russian Revolution, then moves to 1917's February Revolution, the family's forced exile to Siberia that summer after Nicholas II's forced abdication in March, the late-1917 October Revolution Communist takeover, the start of the Russian Civil War, and the July 1918 mass shooting of the Romanov family. Afterwards, it revolves around Anna Anderson, who believes that she is Anastasia Romanov, daughter of Nicholas II of Russia. Anna first tells her story in the 1920s when she is an inmate in a Berlin asylum after her suicide attempt. Her story of escaping from the Bolsheviks who killed the rest of her family in 1918 seems so vivid that many Russian expatriates are willing to believe her. She slowly gains more trust, but Europe's Romanov exiles are very hesitant to believe her tale and send her away. In Part 2, she travels to the United States' branches of the family in New York City in 1928, while Nicholas' mother, Maria Feodorovna, dies in her native Denmark. America's expatriate Romanovs also eventually publicly denounce her as an impostor and coldly snub her at Feodorovna's funeral, causing her to leave the U.S. in 1931 to return to Germany. The movie culminates in 1938 with Anna deciding to sue the Romanovs in Germany's courts to force them to recognize her as Anastasia, but it never reveals if Anna really is Anastasia. The ending epilogue narration says that the court case ended in 1970 with Anna not being able to either prove herself or to be disproven as Anastasia Romanov, she eventually moved back to the U.S. and settled in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she died in 1984.
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Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna
(1986) " The Great Romantic Enigma of the Twentieth Century"
| Country | |
| Spoken Language | english, hungarian |
| Runtime | 1 hr 30 min |
| Premiere: World | December 16, 1987 |
| Premiere: USA | December 7, 1986 |
| Production Companies | |
| Also Known As | Anastasia United States |
Description
Story of Anna Anderson, who claimed to be Anastasia Romanov, the only "surviving" child of the last Czar and Czarina of Russia.Сast and Crew
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About the Book
The film "Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna" is based on the book Anastasia: The Riddle of Anna Anderson by Peter Kurth. This book delves into the life of Anna Anderson, who claimed to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. The book explores the mystery surrounding her identity and the historical context of the Romanov family's tragic fate.Author
Peter Kurth is an American author known for his works on historical figures and events. His detailed research and narrative style bring depth to the complex story of Anna Anderson and the Romanov dynasty.Film Adaptation
The film adaptation, while based on Kurth's book, takes creative liberties in its portrayal of events and characters. It dramatizes the story for cinematic effect, which may lead to deviations from the book's detailed historical account. The essence of the mystery and intrigue surrounding Anna Anderson's claims is maintained, but the film may not fully capture the depth of research and historical context provided in the book.Historical Background
The film "Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna" is based on the real-life mystery surrounding Anastasia Romanov, the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. The Romanov family was executed by Bolsheviks in 1918 during the Russian Revolution. However, rumors persisted for decades that Anastasia had survived the execution.The Claim of Anna Anderson
In 1920, a woman named Anna Anderson surfaced in Germany, claiming to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia. Her story captivated the world, as she alleged that she had escaped the execution and was living in hiding. Anderson's claim was supported by some who knew the Romanovs, but many others, including surviving relatives, dismissed her as an imposter.Scientific Investigation
For years, the mystery of Anastasia's fate remained unsolved. It wasn't until the late 20th century that DNA testing provided conclusive evidence. In 1991, the remains of the Romanov family were discovered and identified through DNA analysis. Further tests in 2007 confirmed that all the Romanov children, including Anastasia, were killed in 1918.Film's Correspondence to Reality
The film "Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna" dramatizes the story of Anna Anderson and her claim to be the lost Russian princess. While it captures the intrigue and controversy surrounding her life, the film takes creative liberties and does not fully align with historical facts, especially given the later DNA evidence that disproved Anderson's claims.Notable Contributors
- Marvin J. Chomsky - Director
- James Goldman - Writer
- Peter Kurth - Author of related works
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