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| Special Features: |
Widescreen anamorphic format
Chapter selection
Commentary by John Burlingame, Arthur Laurents, James MacArthur, and Sylvia Stoddard
A&E's Biography: "Anastasia: Her True Story"
Movietone newsreels
Theatrical trailer
Restoration comparison
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| Video Format: |
Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)
[SS-DL]
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| Languages: |
English (Dolby Digital 4.0)
French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
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| Subtitles: |
English, Spanish.
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| Captions: |
Yes
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| Casing: |
1-Disc Keep Case
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Anatole Litvak's fairy tale "Anastasia" is the 9th release in FOX's 'Studio Classics Collection.' The lavish production stars Ingrid Bergman, Yul Bynner and Helen Hayes. Miss Bergman won her second Oscar as the disturbed young woman who may or may not be the surviving daughter of Czar Nicholas II. The film's score by Alfred Newman was also nominated for an Oscar.
"Anastasia" is a fictional account of one of the great mysteries of the 20th century. The family of Czar Nicholas II was executed by the communists near the end of the Russian Revolution. Rumors began to rise that the Czar's youngest 17-year-old daughter Anastasia had escaped the slaughter. A year or so later, Anna Anderson, a young woman was rescued from a suicide attempt in Berlin. It appeared that she might me the heir to the throne of Russian. As is the case in Hollywood, a happy ending makes for good box-office. Rather than tell the true tale of Anna Anderson, the woman who was thought to be the princess, FOX produced a fairy tale in which Anastasia did survive...maybe.
"Anastasia" deals with a number of ex-patriot Russians led by Yul Brynner who take the mysterious woman played by Ingrid Bergman and try to pass her off as Anastasia in hopes of collecting on the family fortune. Little do the conspirators know, this woman might just be the real thing.
Great movie, picture, sound and extras. I've yet to come across a DVD from FOX's 'Studio Classics Collection' which is not worth having as a permanent part of your DVD collection. "Anastasia" is no exception.
 Picture Quality: 10/10
Take a look at the restoration comparison on this DVD and you will see how much love and care went into the preparation of this DVD. The picture is flawless. Deep. well saturated colors. This is a Technicolor film. The lavish sets and costumes provided ample opportunity for bleeding of colors and delineation problems. There are none. Sharp picture, crisp edges. Great flesh tones.
Sound Quality: 10/10
Alfred Newman's score for "Anastasia" earner him an Oscar nomination. He lost that year to himself! Seems the Academy liked his score for "The King and I" better. Mr. Newman was nominated for an astounding 45 Oscars during his lifetime! He won nine times. I point this out to let you know that I'm telling the truth when I say the music in this film is wonderful. The soundtrack , along with the picture has been lovingly restored by FOX. Great balance between the ranges. No loss of dialogue. Rich, full tones throughout.
Easter Eggs:
No Easter Eggs found during review.
Extra Features: 10/10
Wonderful commentary track. Film and Russian historian Sylvia Stoddard compares the film with the historical events which inspired it. You will learn more about the true story of Anna Anderson than you ever wanted to know. Ms. Stoddard's contribution to the commentary track is one of the best things on this loaded disk. Musical expert and Alfred Newman biographer John Burlingame discusses Mr. Newman's great score. Most people take a musical score for granted. If the score works, it works, if it doesn't, oh well. Mr. Burlingame gives the listener insight into just how much research and work goes into a top-notch score like this. Arthur Laurents, the movie's screenwriter brings in first hand knowledge of the film's development. Actor James MacArthur (Detective Danny Williams from 'Hawaii Five-0) discusses his adoptive mother Helen Hayes on the commentary track.
Several 'Movietone Newsreels' are included which cover the Film's premiere, New York Film Critic's Awards, Oscar Awards, Redbook Magazine Awards and rare footage of the Czar's family the year before their execution.
The DVD also includes the hour-long episode of "A&E's Biography" devoted t the life and mystery surrounding young Anastasia Romanoff. The episode covers the story from her birth up to the discovery of the Romanoff family bones in 1994 and the subsequent DNA analysis. Won't say how it turns out!
There is also a restoration comparison as I mentioned before. The DVD also includes previews for the eight previous 'Studio Classics Collection' releases.
The Final Word:
I'm very grateful to FOX for devoting this much time and effort to these great classics from Hollywood's past. I especially appreciate the extras and commentary tracks. I know that film buff all over agree. This entire collection should be in every serious film buff's DVD collection.
Rusty White
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