Anastasia

Released Dec 13, 1956

1h 45m

Drama

List

93%

Tomatometer

15 Reviews

78%

Audience Score

10,000+ Ratings

Could an amnesiac refugee named Anna Anderson (Ingrid Bergman) truly be the Grand Duchess Anastasia, purported sole survivor of the execution of Czar Nicholas II and his family during the Bolshevik Revolution of 1918, and therefore the rightful heir to the Czar's fortune? Backed by a group of White Russian exiles led by General Bounine (Yul Brynner), she faces her possible grandmother, the imperious Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna (Helen Hayes), and the fortune-hunting Prince Paul (Ivan Desny).

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Mae Tinee

Chicago Tribune

Beautifully balanced with history and fantasy woven into a background of searing sorrow and royal pomp, this is one of the year's most enjoyable films. It is presented with wit, warmth, delicacy, and skill.

Sep 14, 2022

Full Review

Jean Yothers

Orlando Sentinel

After an absence of seven years from American-made films, beauteous Ingrid Bergman returns triumphantly in Anastasia.

Oct 8, 2021

Full Review

Moira Walsh

America Magazine

It is a very entertaining movie. Given a chance, Miss Bergman looks as lovely as ever and gives an effective high-tension performance.

Jul 14, 2021

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Anatole Litvak's Anastasia still stands as the most elegant rendition of a particularly provocative occurrence relating to Nicholas II and his assassinated royal family.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 8, 2020

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

The film's ambiguous ending is mildly disconcerting but its merits are impressive. The excellent cast includes Helen Hayes as a royal old lioness and Yul Brynner as a conspirator with a conscience...

Nov 6, 2019

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

The romance between Anna and Bounine seems like an afterthought, but other story strands prove compelling, particularly those involving the Dowager Empress (a wonderful Helen Hayes).

Rated: 3/4

Apr 16, 2016

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Joel H

I've seen the animated Anastasia movie, so I figured that this 1956 live-action film would be a more realistic & dramatic, less musical version of that story, and I was right. That's exactly what it is. Ingrid Bergman is the real star here. She's able to carry the weight of the film on her shoulders. 1956 was a big year for Yul Brynner, with The King and I, The Ten Commandments, and Anastasia all releasing in theaters, but this role is the least memorable of those three. This is a fascinating true story, yet I have to admit that I still prefer the 1997 adaptation over this version of Anastasia.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/24

Full Review

Liam D

A romance with a interesting story and great performances from Oscar winner (for this movie) Ingrid Bergman (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Bells of St. Mary's) and Yul Brynner (Futureworld, Return of the Seven)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Competent, but not something remarkable, here the best part is the return (in a good form) of Ingrid Bergman to Hollywood, technical merits here are competent and the other thing that really shines outside Bergman is the score from the late and eternal Alfred Newman.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a Classic. Excellent movie. Ingrid Bergman and Helen Hayes are perfect in their roles. Yul Brynner also does an excellent job. Must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

david l

I still prefer the Don Bluth version of this story as 1956's Anastasia has some clunky pacing and underrealized romantic elements, but the costumes, sets and score do make for a sumptuous period piece viewing experience. Ingrid Bergman won an Oscar for her strong turn in the main role, but Helen Hayes also deserved more attention for her fantastic turn as the memorable Dowager Empress. The ambiguous ending is the highlight of the picture.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

steve d

Obviously not true but really entertaining.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Anatole Litvak

Director

Ingrid Bergman

Anastasia

Yul Brynner

Prince Bounine

Helen Hayes

Dowager Empress

Akim Tamiroff

Chernov

Martita Hunt

Baroness von Livenbaum

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Synopsis

Could an amnesiac refugee named Anna Anderson (Ingrid Bergman) truly be the Grand Duchess Anastasia, purported sole survivor of the execution of Czar Nicholas II and his family during the Bolshevik Revolution of 1918, and therefore the rightful heir to the Czar's fortune? Backed by a group of White Russian exiles led by General Bounine (Yul Brynner), she faces her possible grandmother, the imperious Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna (Helen Hayes), and the fortune-hunting Prince Paul (Ivan Desny).

Director: Anatole Litvak
Screenwriter: Guy Bolton, Arthur Laurents, Marcelle Maurette
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 13, 1956, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
Aspect Ratio: 70mm

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