Anastasia - The Mystery of Anna

We are then taken to Berlin, where a lady is attempting suicide. She has bad amnisia, but slowly begins to believe she is Anastasia. In meeting Prince Eric, they battle to gain her Title as the Hier to the Russian throne.

The story is filled with trouble and Turmoil, as well as heeps of Romance. Amy Irving is Outstanding as Anastasia, her red eyed-teary performance is outstanding. Other good parts are taken By Olivia De Havvilland as The Grand Duchess Maria, and Rex Harrison puts in a regal performance as Grand Duke Cyril.

This film may alter History slightly, but it is something you will fall in love with again and again. Well worth the price for such a gem. Fantastic.

Also available on DVD in the uk, but u have to hunt high and low! Good luck!


Anastasia-The Best Romanov Movie so far   March 2, 2000
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Anastasia is the Compelling drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat from begining to end. Starting with a Grand opening in the court of Tzar Nicolas II, the drama then continues through a whole range of emotions, from the Mass Murder of the Imperial family, the tearful attemped Suicide by 'Anna', the thrilling memorys produced by 'Anna' and the much asked question 'Is she or isn't she!', the drama concludes as it began, without knowing exactly what happend to the much publicised 'Anastasia'. But this does not matter in the slightest, if anything it inspires you to look into the case further. The red eyed performance by Amy Irving has you in tears on many occasions, and grand performances by the great Olivia De Havilland, Rex Harrison, Omar Sharif and Claire Bloom compleet this wonderful story spanning the time of Imperial Russia, 1918, to the Flapping American 20's, this Drama will keep you entertained for years to come. A Classic!


A Glittering Television Adaptation!   May 8, 2006
Bailey (Raleigh, NC)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna was a two-part star studded historical T.V. movie based on the Peter Kurth book, Anastasia: The Riddle of Anna Anderson. It keeps up historically pretty much, names are changed etc. But sticks to the real story quite well. Omar Sharif and Claire Bloom do quite well as the Russian royals, Czar Nicholas and Czarina Alexandra. What stuck out in my mind was the all too short portrayals by Rex Harrison and Olivia De Havilland. All in all it was a pretty classy production with some fine acting. I was quite awestruck by the production values when it first aired on NBC in late 1986. Also starring was the fine German actor Jan Niklas who had previously starred in NBC's other Russian epic "Peter the Great".

I felt that Part 2 skipped over some important details of Anna Anderson's trip to America. It's important to know too, that in 1986 less was known about the Anna Anderson story. Back then it was still not known whether her claim to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia was genuine. By the late 1990's more was known and Anna Anderson is now reputed to have been a fraud.

Too bad the networks aren't making fine made-for-television movies like this anymore.


Fascinating movie with a great cast   January 9, 2008
NoWireHangers (Sweden)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Although we can now be almost certain, due to DNA tests, that Anna Anderson was not the real Anastasia, the story is still fascinating. And there is more to it than whether she was Anastasia or not. It's the story about a person looking for her identity (and I'm sure she believed she was Anastasia) and the story of how people react to her claims.

30 years before this TV movie was made, Ingrid Bergman won an Oscar playing the same character. It's beyond me how Amy Irving didn't win an Emmy for her performance. It is acting at its best. She was nominated for a Golden Globe but didn't win. Jan Niklas, in my opinion giving one of the weaker performances, won a Golden Globe. Irving also gets great help from several legendary actors. Rex Harrison, in his last performance, is the best of the supporting actors.

I can be impatient sometimes and don't usually watch movies this long, but "Anastasia" kept my interest non-stop for over three hours. Don't miss it.


Anastasia-Mini Series   May 30, 2007
Elizabeth Peabody (NYC)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

This mini series has an impressive cast and top production. If you are a Romanoff buff, you will love this production.