Discovering Russian Literature discussion

 

Film adaptations of Anna Karenina has a similarity to Jane Eyre adaptations: Too many.

I'm aware that there are at least 10 versions on this novel so which is the best? I think the most famous and critically acclaimed version out there is the one starring Greta Garbo in 1930's which I've not seen. 

I've watched 1997 film, (filmed on location in Russia), starring Sophie Marceau and Sean Bean. I thought it was really good, the characters had such a great chemistry and it worked really well for a shorter version but I thought perhaps Sophie Marceau looks bit too young for the character.

Then I watched the 2000 British television adaptation of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, which I thought ok. Agewise Helen McCrory is suitable for the role than Sophie Marceau but it was long but not so good. But I liked Kitty and Karenin. 

Then I learned there will be another version starring Keira Knightley as Anna Karenina!!??? Check it out. 

http://enchantedserenityperiodfilms.b...

So share your favourite version and tell us what you think about this latest one. 
 

 

[показать]I've only seen the '97 version which I really liked. Of course I'm a fan of both actors, though I think you're right, she does seem pretty young for the part. I love Alfred Molina as Levin (well, I love him in general)! 
 

 

[показать]I hadn't heard about the new version coming out! They have an excellent (and very pretty) cast so far. 
 

 

[показать]The best is the 1977 mini series with Nicola Pagett. It is the most true to the novel and covers not only Anna and Vronsky's romance, but Levin and Kitty's romance in it's entirety. Nicola is a convincing Anna, not too young or too old and yet still beautiful. The only downside to this version is that it is filmed in old style videotape, which makes it seem outdated. (And I've seen every imaginable version, movie or made for TV) 
 

 

E.K. wrote: "I hadn't heard about the new version coming out! They have an excellent (and very pretty) cast so far."

Yes but I think Jude Law looks bit too young for Karenin, don't you think? and I'm not a big fan of Keira and she is also too young. 

Now I have to look for 1977 mini series which I've not seen, it would be really nice to see a more convincing and an appropriate Anna. 
 

 

[показать]I don't think Keira is too young; I always got the impression that Anna married Karenin young, and had her son young too. But yes, Jude Law is too young and too handsome to play Karenin. Maybe he should be Vronsky or Levin. 
 

 

Though there is no mention of her age in the novel, I consider her to be in her late 20's, around 27 or 28. Just a personal calculation with the marriageable age of the period and her son's age. Keira looks too young and I don't know whether she can handle such a mature character. I liked her in Atonement but she didn't impress me with any other role, just a personal opinion. 

Now that you mentioned it, does the novel ever mention that Karenin is unattractive? He is much older but I don't think he's unattractive. whatever it is he doesn't seem like a good choice. 
 

 

[показать]Tolstoy doesn’t give a thorough description in the book, but he says things early on that give the impression that Karenin is no Adonis. After Anna gets back from Moscow, there is a description of her disappointment in seeing him, his “ears sticking out”, his “sad, tired eyes,” and Vronsky is smugly self satisfied when he lays eyes on Karenin at the station. I guess it’s just more fun to think of him as unattractive. 
 

 

Curlysloppy wrote: "I guess it’s just more fun to think of him as unattractive. ..."

:) 
 

 

[показать]i'll have to check these films out. except the new one. i think keira knightly would be a terrible anna. 
 

 

[показать]Oh dear, Keira doesn't sound like a good choice! Obviously she's more than pretty enough, but surely acting range should carry more weight than good looks with this role. (and she was toe-curlingly bad as Lara in a tv version of Doctor Zhivago a few years ago!)

Does anyone know who has been cast for Vronsky's role? 
 

 

Morticia wrote: "Oh dear, Keira doesn't sound like a good choice! Obviously she's more than pretty enough, but surely acting range should carry more weight than good looks with this role. (and she was toe-curlin..."

I have no idea there was a Doctor Zhivago version out there with her. It's that bad huh? I've seen 1960's Doctor Zhivago starring Omar Sharif. I love it! I really started to dislike Keira after "Pride and Prejudice." 

Morticia check the link in massage 1. According to that Vronsky will be Aaron Johnson, but I'm not familiar with his work, I've not heard anything actually. 
 

 

Amalie wrote: "Morticia wrote: "Oh dear, Keira doesn't sound like a good choice! Obviously she's more than pretty enough, but surely acting range should carry more weight than good looks with this role. (and s..."

Hey Amalie :) I've read this week that actor Matthew Macfadyen (Mr. Darcy in Keira Knightley's version of Pride and Prejudice) has joined cast of new A. Karenina in the role of Oblonsky. I've also read somewhere that they were in talks with James McAvoy to perform Levin, but I don't know if it's official. Aaron Johnson performed starring roles in "Kick-Ass" and "Nowhere Boy" (bein a young John Lennon) I watched both and thought he was a fine actor, but I agree he's too young for the idea I had of Vronsky while reading. 
For the other members, I used to moderate here but for personal reasons I had to quit and limit my time in internet, for those I could cause any doubt regarding the group, my apologies and thanks to Amalie for making it such a wonderful group. 
 

 

[показать]Amalie, thanks for your reply. Sorry I missed the reference to Aaron Johnson - I don't know anything about him either; if he's a young actor as Antia suggests, he might be a bit hard to swallow as Vronsky. I've always imagined Anna and Vronsky to be around their late 30s! 

I think the Dr Zhivago version I saw was a British television production - it was pretty awful generally and was panned by the critics. I really enjoyed the older film version, even though it might not have entirely caught the spirit of the book. And I just loved Julie Christie as Lara - which is probably one of the reasons I couldn't take to Keira Knightley. 

Best wishes
Mary (NB that's my real name which seems more appropriate for discussion than Morticia!) 
 

 

I watched the BBC (2000??) Anna Karenina recently. I thought the actress was too old for the role. I liked Sophie Marceau's version better but I don't mind waiting for another better adaption. As for the one you've talked here with Keira Knightley, I hope it won't be a disaster. Not a fan of Joe Wright's melodrama. 
 

 

[показать]Amalie wrote: "Though there is no mention of her age in the novel, I consider her to be in her late 20's, around 27 or 28. Just a personal calculation with the marriageable age of the period and her son's age. Ke..."I have gotten the impression that the women in Russia fiction of this era married fairly young (late teens)and married older men. Karenina would like be, as suggested, in her mid-20's. For the record Keira Knightley is 26.

When deciding which film is best, I believe you have to first determine what is "best". The best film based on the story, the most faithful to the original, etc.

The 1935 version with Greta Garbo is the most critically acclaimed. She also did an earlier silent version. The 2000 Masterpiece TV version also well. TV miniseries sometimes have an advantage in that they can explore the story in more depth and are not limited to the typical 100 minutes or so of cinema versions. The star of the Masterpiece version, Helen McCrory, was 32 when the film was released. And Garbo was 30. I don't think any of these mentioned actresses are either too young or too old (sounds like Gogol's Chichikov), it depends on their skill as actresses and our personal preconception of what Karenina looks like. 
 

 

Robert wrote: "I have gotten the impression that the women in Russia fiction of this era married fairly young (late teens)and married older men. Karenina would like be, as suggested, in her mid-20's. For the record Keira Knightley is 26...."

I've not seen Greta Garbo's version. I've heard it's good. Have you seen it? 

I think what most of consider is true to the novel and great performing, at least that was what I was considering. As for the age, the correct age is a part of a great production, don't you think, so then Keira's age is more suitable but Robert do you personally think Keira Knightley is good enough to be a good Anna? 
 

 

[показать]Shanez wrote: "Robert wrote: "I have gotten the impression that the women in Russia fiction of this era married fairly young (late teens)and married older men. Karenina would like be, as suggested, in her mid-20'..."

I cannot say that I am particularly a Keira Knightley fan, but her credentials are quite impressive for a young actress both on screen and stage. So who is good enough? 
 

 

[показать]the best adaptation is here, 1967, mosfilm, it had english subs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5YutO...