I do enjoy the Golden Films Animations, they are cute, charming and entertaining with great music and sweet characters. Before I do get judged for rating this one low, I was hoping I would like it. I loved Golden Films' versions of Thumbelina, Pinocchio and The Little Mermaid especially, and while I was not expecting another Don Bluth Anastasia I was really disappointed with this one. It is not completely bad though. Anastasia is a sweet and likable titular character, and the voice acting is also not bad with the best coming from the voice actors of Anastasia and Rasputin. But the best asset was the music, which was outstanding. Not just the songs, with Anastasia and Alexander's duet the best, but Never Ending Circle is charming and Rasputin's song is enough to make your hairs stick up, but also the classical music choices from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and Nutcracker, Mussorgsky's Night on Bare Mountain, Dvorak's Slavonic Dances to Rimsky Korsakov's Sheherazade and Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries(plus a piece that sounded like one of Brahms' Hungarian Dances. However, the animation seemed rushed and lacking in fluidity, with some of the colours rather flat-looking and of the character designs Anastasia was the only one who convinced. Alexander certainly is handsome, but looks like a less well-animated version of Prince Eric. The characters I was mixed on, again Anastasia was the best and Rasputin showed menace and potential(I found him in his scenes to be more believable than the Rasputin in Bluth's version) but in the last quarter he disappears and is never mentioned again. The Royal Family seemed underdeveloped with Anastasia's mother(Alexandra was it not?) having very little to do, and Alexander was dashing but somewhat bland. The script was uneven for me, the scene where Anastasia and Alexander first meet seemed on the forced side and could've lasted a little longer and the more comedic moments with the bird friends(a sign of political correctness if you ask me) seemed out of place at times. But the story was the biggest debit(if I was to ignore the many inaccuracies for a second) rather thin and takes quite some time to get going. The scenes leading up to the terrible event seemed to lack tension, and even as a child I was underwhelmed by the ending, very abrupt and brought about many questions, especially the business regarding Rasputin and the "greatest adventure" part of the synopsis was misleading(I can't tell you why without giving it away). So all in all, loved the music and Anastasia herself, but I was disappointed by the story and the animation especially. 4/10 Bethany Cox
31 Reviews
Uneven and humdrum
darkghost340026 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The storytelling in this film is awful. It lasts too long to engage with something interesting for much time, and the storyline is actually hollow. The film mostly feels tedious and boring. It lacks focus. The character design is charmless aside from Rasputin and the animation has many flaws (especially with the armies). The jokes are mostly unsuccessful, because they do not coincide with the atmosphere and look completely out of place. Almost all the characters are dull and uninteresting, with the exception of Anastasia, Rasputin and maybe the fat guy who helped Alexander and Anastasia in the ending. Anastasia's family and Alexander are too bland and underdeveloped to be sympathetic -that is worse in the case of Anastasia's family because they are going to die. The birds are not those awful instruments of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", but can come as annoying in many parts.
This film lacked caution in the topic of shooting the Romanov family, and forgets that they are dead. The ending has a happy feel, because Anastasia recovers her memory, but that means that she will never see her family again. Are we supposed to be happy for that? And after Anastasia's memory is recovered, suddenly, this film has ended abruptly and confusingly. Hooray! The music is gorgeous, the voice acting is good and the romance between Anastasia and Alexander feels natural, but those details do not redeem this lackluster film.
This film lacked caution in the topic of shooting the Romanov family, and forgets that they are dead. The ending has a happy feel, because Anastasia recovers her memory, but that means that she will never see her family again. Are we supposed to be happy for that? And after Anastasia's memory is recovered, suddenly, this film has ended abruptly and confusingly. Hooray! The music is gorgeous, the voice acting is good and the romance between Anastasia and Alexander feels natural, but those details do not redeem this lackluster film.
When Fiction is More Faithful Than Fact.
ExplorerDS678928 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The tragic tale of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicholaievna Romanov and her family seemed like the perfect idea for an animated Golden Films cartoon aimed at children, right? We all know it was made to cash in on Don Bluth's more successful telling of Anastasia, except he took the more appropriate route of turning her story into a fairytale, so you knew going in that it had no basis in truth. Golden Films decided to make their version more faithful to real life events, which was not a good idea as what happened to Anastasia and her family is too heartbreaking to make into a light-hearted family movie. It's clear this thing was put together in a very short time, as far as writing, I think they just banged it out in one draft and they went with it, because nothing makes any sense. So our story begins on young Anastasia's birthday, and does it normally snow in Russia in June? She and her family go on a sleigh ride as we hear a really bad song. I guess this montage is to show what a tightly knit family the Romanovs were. If you don't know their names, as this movie doesn't give them much characterization, we have Anastasia's three older sisters Olga, Tatiana, and Maria, her little brother Alexei, her mother, Tsarina Alexandra, and her father, Tsar Nicholas II. Yeah, they seemed like a very happy, tight family, which makes our story all the more tragic because we all know what's going to happen. At Ana's party, all her siblings get gifts as well, and three of them are talking birds, including one that won't shut up. Not even 5 minutes in and we're introduced to our comic relief who adds NOTHING to the plot. Sadly, Golden Films missed the whole point of Disney having animal (or inanimate object) comic reliefs in their movies: it wasn't just to dick around and act goofy, they actually moved the story along. They took the place of the narrator and had the point of view of the audience. Lumiere, Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts contributed heavily to Beauty and the Beast, as did Sebastian in Little Mermaid, the mice in Cinderella, and so on. But Golden Films' talking sidekicks contributed nothing: the birds in Pocahontas, the ghosts in Beauty and the Beast, and now these birdbrains in Anastasia. Get used to that yellow bird, friends, because he's going to be sticking around for the rest of the film, and no matter how many times you yell "shut up" at the screen, he won't. So not much else happens and Anastasia and her sisters transition into teenagers. One fateful night, our heroine ventures into town to pass out food to the hungry kids on the street. Very sweet and noble of her, but did she have to bring the birds with her? Maybe the starving people can roast them and eat them. While there, she peeks in a nearby tavern and sees a drunk man dancing on a tabletop. It's Rasputin. A very weird introduction to our villain here, as he shows up in the next scene to try and cure Alexei, like what he did in real life. Oh, and he's got a talking dog, as if this movie needed any more talking animals. So yeah, as you know, Alexei was very ill and weak most of his life, and the Tsar found this so-called healer to try and help him. So through a weird series of gasps and a puff of smoke, it seems Alexei has been cured. But enough of that, as we move to the Tsar chastising Anastasia for going out to the village alone, however instead of punishing her, he commends her for having a big heart and bestows upon her the Imperial Double Eagle Medal for compassion and bravery. The yellow bird is upset that he didn't get an award too. Oh, don't worry, I've got one for you: The Most Annoying Animal Sidekick in History Award... it's a ball gag. So as Anastasia heads out to distribute more food, she happens to overhear Rasputin selling the Tsar's top military secrets to a Bolshevik soldier, even showing he has the power of hypnosis to double his deal. Does Anastasia tell anyone about this? No, of course not. Then she and her sister go to a soldier's hospital, where they volunteered. This is actually true to life, but it was Olga and Tatiana who volunteered, as Anastasia and Maria were too young, however they did visit and help entertain the troops. While there, Ana meets a handsome young solider named Alexander, though she doesn't let on that she's a princess... maybe don't wear your fancy dress and jewelry when you're among the commoners, then? While that's going on, Rasputin continues his underhanded plan of deposing Tsar Nicholas. See, when he apparently cured Alexei, he found favor with the Tsar and became his most trusted advisor, though the movie doesn't tell us this as they thought annoying bird shenanigans were more important. I guess Rasputin is doing this for profit, though later it shows him taking charge of the revolution. Guess he must have hypnotized his way to the top. A storm had been brewing for quite some time, as the people are becoming fed up with the tsar's rule. Even the wounded soldiers are being moved out of the hospital incognito, including Ana's love interest that she shared a whopping 1 scene with, and is heartbroken to see him go. He's even all she thinks about as an angry mob stands outside the palace gates, calling for death to the tsar.
Eventually, the people break in, overpowering the useless guards and storm palace, lead by Rasputin, whose treachery is quickly revealed. The Bolsheviks relocate and imprison the royal family while the people go about looting the palace. It's at this point Alexander finally realizes who Anastasia is and tries to save her, and you might think they'd alter the story to have the Romanovs survive and get saved by Alexander, but no such luck, because our story was so realistic up to this point, right? They probably didn't realize that Rasputin had already been killed BEFORE the tsar was deposed. One horrible song later, Rasputin rejects a letter from King George V, requesting the release of his cousins, and then orders the royal family to be shot. Alexander hears of this from another soldier, knowing he doesn't have long to take action. The family is ushered into the basement that night, just as Alexander arrives. Instead of telling her what's going to happen, that she and her whole family are about to be killed, he just tells her not to go downstairs, but she goes anyway... it's not like it's a matter of life and death or anything. Idiot. We also have the delightful sounds of gunshots ringing out, signaling that the Romanovs have been killed. You know, for kids! So with the tsar dead, the people rejoice in their freedom and Rasputin proclaims himself as the new king... so, the people were clearly unhappy with the Russian monarchy, which is why they forced Tsar Nicholas to abdicate the throne, so on that note, why would they appoint a new person tsar?! It's so stupid! Alexander is able to sneak Anastasia's body out of there and discovers that she's still alive, due to that Double Eagle medal blocking a bullet. This happened in real life too, as they girls had jewelry sewn into their clothes, but sadly, that just resulted in them being beaten to death by the Bolsheviks. In real life, Anastasia did not survive, but in this clunky cartoon, she did, and has somehow developed amnesia. Well, we've got 17 minutes of this crap left, so they had to pan it out somehow. Alexander takes Ana and her annoying birds to live with his eccentric Uncle Boris on his farm. Hilarity does not ensue. Despite her memory still being lost, Alexander falls deeper in love with Anastasia and pops the question. They get married soon after, and even have a child. They name him Nicholas, after his late grandfather. It's a shame the real Anastasia was never able to get married, as I'm sure she would have made a gorgeous bride, but as far as having a child, her brother Alexei's condition was genetic, passed from her mother's side of the family but only present in males, so if Anastasia did have a son, he too would have suffered the same malady. Obviously the filmmakers of this cartoon didn't realize that, because little Nicholas is in perfect health. Anyway, Alexander is concerned because Ana is starting to ask questions about her past and Uncle Boris suggests he tell her the truth... and they couldn't do that BEFORE getting married and having a child, because...? Anyway, the three of them take a trip to Ekaterinburg, where the Romanovs were held prisoner before their execution, and it was there that Anastasia found the Faberge eggs that held those stupid birds, and that jogs her memory. She remembers everything. The End. Is that supposed to be a happy ending? She just remembers the deaths of her family and how they were terrorized by Bolsheviks.
This is such a dumb movie. The writing is abysmal, the acting is bad, the animation is stilted and lazy, and it has no reason to exist other than to cash in on the success of the Don Bluth film. I mean, on the one hand, I'm glad they brought to light the actual story of Anastasia and her family and they had all her siblings, while another animated adaptation, The Secret of Anastasia, only featured Tatiana and Alexei, but there was virtually no characterization given to any of them. These characters were flat, shallow, and uninteresting. Let's not forget that these were REAL people. They actually existed, and they were brutally executed. I suggest you ignore this terrible film and instead read up on the history of the Romanov family, and about the REAL Anastasia and her siblings, as in real life, they were very sweet, kindhearted people who did not deserve what happened to them. Same with their parents. Tsar Nicholas II may have been a bad leader, but he was a good husband and a good father. In closing, I don't recommend Golden Films' Anastasia, watch the Bluth version instead. This one is too depressing, sloppy, and kids will not enjoy it.
Eventually, the people break in, overpowering the useless guards and storm palace, lead by Rasputin, whose treachery is quickly revealed. The Bolsheviks relocate and imprison the royal family while the people go about looting the palace. It's at this point Alexander finally realizes who Anastasia is and tries to save her, and you might think they'd alter the story to have the Romanovs survive and get saved by Alexander, but no such luck, because our story was so realistic up to this point, right? They probably didn't realize that Rasputin had already been killed BEFORE the tsar was deposed. One horrible song later, Rasputin rejects a letter from King George V, requesting the release of his cousins, and then orders the royal family to be shot. Alexander hears of this from another soldier, knowing he doesn't have long to take action. The family is ushered into the basement that night, just as Alexander arrives. Instead of telling her what's going to happen, that she and her whole family are about to be killed, he just tells her not to go downstairs, but she goes anyway... it's not like it's a matter of life and death or anything. Idiot. We also have the delightful sounds of gunshots ringing out, signaling that the Romanovs have been killed. You know, for kids! So with the tsar dead, the people rejoice in their freedom and Rasputin proclaims himself as the new king... so, the people were clearly unhappy with the Russian monarchy, which is why they forced Tsar Nicholas to abdicate the throne, so on that note, why would they appoint a new person tsar?! It's so stupid! Alexander is able to sneak Anastasia's body out of there and discovers that she's still alive, due to that Double Eagle medal blocking a bullet. This happened in real life too, as they girls had jewelry sewn into their clothes, but sadly, that just resulted in them being beaten to death by the Bolsheviks. In real life, Anastasia did not survive, but in this clunky cartoon, she did, and has somehow developed amnesia. Well, we've got 17 minutes of this crap left, so they had to pan it out somehow. Alexander takes Ana and her annoying birds to live with his eccentric Uncle Boris on his farm. Hilarity does not ensue. Despite her memory still being lost, Alexander falls deeper in love with Anastasia and pops the question. They get married soon after, and even have a child. They name him Nicholas, after his late grandfather. It's a shame the real Anastasia was never able to get married, as I'm sure she would have made a gorgeous bride, but as far as having a child, her brother Alexei's condition was genetic, passed from her mother's side of the family but only present in males, so if Anastasia did have a son, he too would have suffered the same malady. Obviously the filmmakers of this cartoon didn't realize that, because little Nicholas is in perfect health. Anyway, Alexander is concerned because Ana is starting to ask questions about her past and Uncle Boris suggests he tell her the truth... and they couldn't do that BEFORE getting married and having a child, because...? Anyway, the three of them take a trip to Ekaterinburg, where the Romanovs were held prisoner before their execution, and it was there that Anastasia found the Faberge eggs that held those stupid birds, and that jogs her memory. She remembers everything. The End. Is that supposed to be a happy ending? She just remembers the deaths of her family and how they were terrorized by Bolsheviks.
This is such a dumb movie. The writing is abysmal, the acting is bad, the animation is stilted and lazy, and it has no reason to exist other than to cash in on the success of the Don Bluth film. I mean, on the one hand, I'm glad they brought to light the actual story of Anastasia and her family and they had all her siblings, while another animated adaptation, The Secret of Anastasia, only featured Tatiana and Alexei, but there was virtually no characterization given to any of them. These characters were flat, shallow, and uninteresting. Let's not forget that these were REAL people. They actually existed, and they were brutally executed. I suggest you ignore this terrible film and instead read up on the history of the Romanov family, and about the REAL Anastasia and her siblings, as in real life, they were very sweet, kindhearted people who did not deserve what happened to them. Same with their parents. Tsar Nicholas II may have been a bad leader, but he was a good husband and a good father. In closing, I don't recommend Golden Films' Anastasia, watch the Bluth version instead. This one is too depressing, sloppy, and kids will not enjoy it.
It's a fever dream of a mess.
connorpat26 December 2019
With an art style of a coloring book, and an obnoxiously loud soundtrack, this is the worst movie I've seen. The beginning seemed like any knockoff but it was Soo much more later in the film. If you tied me to a chair and asked me what the plot was, I'd say just end me. The music never stopped and was way to loud, it felt like I was in the basic orchestra that constantly played, there was not one second of silence and when it ended I thought I went deaf. The movie is only less than an hour but it felt like ten years. The animation was atrocious and I feel bad for whatever animation studio that had to make this. The only way to watch this is ether high or drunk, this is the tourture method the CIA uses for the worst of the worst criminals. I can not explain this movie in human words, it's like a duty for you to watch, you just need to get it over with.
A pure whirlwind of love
ocvillaume12 December 2021
Historically accurate, moving, amusing, everything we seek is in this masterpiece. Breathtaking landscapes, extremely realistic dialogues, this film has the gift of going very fast, while telling nothing. Which is unprecedented.
Such well-written songs that have nothing to envy to the original.
However, despite the perfection of this film, there's still some downsides: 1) Not enough flashbacks. Sometimes I forget what had happened just before (like Anastasia lmao) and during these moments, a little flashbask would have been necessary:/ 2) Not enough birds. The little talking birds were my favorite characters, and I regret that they did not appear enough.
If you're passionate about history, a musicals lover or just looking to spend a pleasant moment with your family, then go for it, this movie is for you.
Such well-written songs that have nothing to envy to the original.
However, despite the perfection of this film, there's still some downsides: 1) Not enough flashbacks. Sometimes I forget what had happened just before (like Anastasia lmao) and during these moments, a little flashbask would have been necessary:/ 2) Not enough birds. The little talking birds were my favorite characters, and I regret that they did not appear enough.
If you're passionate about history, a musicals lover or just looking to spend a pleasant moment with your family, then go for it, this movie is for you.
Neverending Circle
mariannerdhn12 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I had a great time watching this. While it was a masterpiece of music and storytelling, merging the two seemlessly in timeless songs, at the same time too short and too long, it only deserves 8 stars because I think the yellow bird, the love interest's uncle and the cook deserved more screentime (half of the movie wasn't enough).
SPOILER: The end scene summing up the entirety of the movie in two minutes was the cherry on top. The overwhelming lack of emotion of the protagonist regarding the death of her entire family was the perfect end to this empty and nevertheless truly compelling movie.
SPOILER: The end scene summing up the entirety of the movie in two minutes was the cherry on top. The overwhelming lack of emotion of the protagonist regarding the death of her entire family was the perfect end to this empty and nevertheless truly compelling movie.
Wow really great
jasperdiamond-9357925 June 2022
Right here I go in telling you guys that this move is amazing because I have watched this movie like 10 times and I have always used to forget to give it a perfect but thank God I remember today after I watched it finished right now The movie is nice.
Fun fun fun!!!
johnhardy-1818018 June 2022
This movie is fun I enjoy it it worth my time watching it and it worth my 10/10 ratings I love the movie this animation type of version is supreme I like the movie I enjoy it Everytime I watched it it nice to watch at any time the story teaches some lessons It's just all incredible and I'll even rate any types of Your movies again
Good luck 🤞🤞🤞
Good luck 🤞🤞🤞
Best movie
bellotbrawon17 June 2022
I already know this movie will be amazing because from the beginning of this movie it's already start leading me ahead that it will be amazing 😍😍 I watched ever part in it it's amazing the character are amazing and the princess is a perfect character and in Addy also I love Golden animation movies
You guys make the all the music amazing characters are just perfect I just don't know what to say this movie deeply make my day more fantastic
Am happy with you guys well-done
Thanks 😊😊😊
You guys make the all the music amazing characters are just perfect I just don't know what to say this movie deeply make my day more fantastic
Am happy with you guys well-done
Thanks 😊😊😊
Ready to referral the movie
christopherdaniel-8751819 June 2022
Nicest movie ever you really try this is a pleasure watching this movie Anastasia because am just so happy for the creator because I know for this beautiful movie she will keep Ratings up and be credited because this movie is the best
Well balanced movie with the best music and more I just can't select why I like this movie
Because it's unimaginable this movie is amazing.
Well balanced movie with the best music and more I just can't select why I like this movie
Because it's unimaginable this movie is amazing.
Right movie to watch.
taiwobella20 June 2022
This movie looks amazing I like this it's make me feel good 😊😊
I use to laugh when I watch this movie and always praised the creator of this movie that this is the best movie that Impress me.
Nice and fantabulous I can see that all the characters and music is even cool to hear.
Everything about this movie is just special.
Nice and fantabulous I can see that all the characters and music is even cool to hear.
Everything about this movie is just special.
Good movie so far
jeffreyjustin-6454423 June 2022
This is a really good movie to chill out with anytime I feel bored I used to try to watch this movie because I've already watched it once before and I'm trying to get more about it and watch more and more to make myself feel fine anytime I'm lonely.
Best of the most
henrygeorge-8448821 June 2022
This is one of my favorite films of all times. The love story between the two separated by war but then reunited after the tragic death of Anastasia's family is so beautiful
I watched the movie and am like so happy this movie is just the best.
I watched the movie and am like so happy this movie is just the best.
This movie Is Indeed A Massive Fun 😊😊
ptom-9797117 June 2022
I enjoy the movie by all the scenes in it it's just amazing I have every fun and enjoyment in this movie it's indeed fun the casts of this movie are incredible I've been watching IMDb movies since before I meet this Anastasia movie it's indeed amazing all of you enjoy this I'll even refers this movie
Thanks 👍👍
Thanks 👍👍
Real good movie
jeffdammy20 June 2022
Anastasia animation movies is unstoppable to the way of success because I see that this movie is from golden film for real because it's possess with all golden features I like this movie.
And I can watch this all day I even added it to my watchlist because I know I can't afford to miss out on this movie o really deeply enjoy this .
And I can watch this all day I even added it to my watchlist because I know I can't afford to miss out on this movie o really deeply enjoy this .
Nicest animation
techpicker24 June 2022
Nice and the best
jamesmike-2903218 June 2022
Really nice
collinsjames-7482425 June 2022
Best movie ever
richbacky24 June 2022
The movie with the Great and the best animated character I have ever seen this movie shut down all other movie version this movie's is seniority to any other movie because this movie is amazing when I watch this movie for the first time my life I really really love this movie this movie is amazing I watched it and I am happy.
Exactly the movie I liked.
michaeldonald-5074420 June 2022
This is one of my favorite films of all times. The love story between the two separated by war but then reunited after the tragic death of Anastasia's family is so beautiful
- The song "just believe" Is amazing. It literally made me cry.
Just too amazing
kabylord18 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Too incredible I can't stop my yes from watching this movie it's irresistible for only people that have the best sense I like this movie and will rate this 30/30 if this website allows but it just 10/10 so I appreciate this workings guy...
Everything is Nice.
carlosmike24 June 2022
Incredible movie I love this Anastasia movie this version of this movie is like more amazing and surpassing any other versions of this I can see that this movie is nice and cool nice movie to watch for any ages
Golden films are doing the best.
Fantastic movie!
kunlejohnson17 June 2022
This movie has the best music sounds and great characters in it I love all the part of the movie I use to watch day by day and I'll continue watching it infact this is the best IMDb movies I've ever watch it's amazing all this movie creators are the best and that's why I rate you 10/10 infact if IMDb have 20/20 rate I would have rate this more and more
All the characters in the movie are nice kep the great job moving forward I saw this advertisement online and I decided to come in because I love IMDb movies and indeed it's amazing.
All the characters in the movie are nice kep the great job moving forward I saw this advertisement online and I decided to come in because I love IMDb movies and indeed it's amazing.
Beautiful!
scottmiller-1386218 June 2022
The Anastasia movie is the best I watch it and rewatch like 7 times because Everytime I use to want to have a fantastic moments by enjoying the movie music with all the best character in the movie everything is just fun and fantastic 😊😊😊
If you haven't try this movie out then you are missing out quickly watch this so that you also will rate this 10/10 as I do mine also now because it's satisfying.
If you haven't try this movie out then you are missing out quickly watch this so that you also will rate this 10/10 as I do mine also now because it's satisfying.
Better!!!!
chtistanaisrael18 June 2022
This Movie was absolutely amazing to Watch with Kids. This Great Animation captured my vision better than I could have expected. The Characters Are top tier This Creator's Are A Gem! Don't Miss Out Check This Video Out Also It's Fun.
See also
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