This classic movie was the impetus for me to delve into Russian history, for a period of time. Revisiting this film reminded me how I had been enthralled with the stellar cast. After her self-imposed exile from Hollywood, Ingrid Bergman (Casablanca, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) returned to triumph in this Oscar winning role. She played the confused Anna Koreff, a woman with a striking resemblance to the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov. For a long period of time, there were stories that Anastasia, the youngest of Tsar Nicholas II’s daughters, survived the execution of the family, that ended the Romanov dynasty. This majestic movie has to be watched, just to see how superb acting generates the story. Take a look at this mighty trio of actors: besides Ingrid, there is Yul Brynner (The King and I, Westworld) as General Sergei Pavlovich Bounine; the Russian businessman who is determined to turn Anna Koreff into a believable grand duchess, hoping to get his hands on a potential fortune. And then there is Helen Hayes (A Farewell to Arms, Airport) as the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovn, Anastasia’s paternal grandmother, who must be convinced that Anna is really her granddaughter. This is a great movie to view in that good old, Hollywood tradition.

3 2/3 stars — DVD 

http://youtu.be/P3c98qN_-9I