I admit. I have mixed feelings about this movie. On the one hand, I understand that this is a movie which targets young girls, that it is about enduring friendships, and that it is a fantasy. This becomes evident rather quickly due to the magical elements and effects which are incorporated into the early parts of the story. Taken from that perspective, the film does have its sweet and touching moments.
Yet at the same time, taking into consideration the fact that this movie is derived from actual tragic events in Russian history -- the murder of Czar Nicholas II and his entire family by the Bolsheviks in 1918 -- I almost find it disrespectful and inappropriate that this movie was even made. The movie totally ignores the horror of those events, and some viewers might even say, makes light of them. It just wants to be a feel-good, happy ending movie.
To add injury to insult, part of the plot is based on a longstanding conspiracy theory regarding Anastasia, which, from what I can tell, has no basis in actual historical fact.
So, weighing all of these various points, I can give the film a 5 at best. If you would like to see a movie which more realistically portrays the reign of Czar Nicholas II, and the ultimate demise of him and his family, I encourage you to view 1971's "Nicholas and Alexandra" starring Michael Jayston, Janet Suzman and Tom Baker. Obviously, it is not 100% historically accurate either, but it is a lot closer to the truth than this feel-good fantasy.
Yet at the same time, taking into consideration the fact that this movie is derived from actual tragic events in Russian history -- the murder of Czar Nicholas II and his entire family by the Bolsheviks in 1918 -- I almost find it disrespectful and inappropriate that this movie was even made. The movie totally ignores the horror of those events, and some viewers might even say, makes light of them. It just wants to be a feel-good, happy ending movie.
To add injury to insult, part of the plot is based on a longstanding conspiracy theory regarding Anastasia, which, from what I can tell, has no basis in actual historical fact.
So, weighing all of these various points, I can give the film a 5 at best. If you would like to see a movie which more realistically portrays the reign of Czar Nicholas II, and the ultimate demise of him and his family, I encourage you to view 1971's "Nicholas and Alexandra" starring Michael Jayston, Janet Suzman and Tom Baker. Obviously, it is not 100% historically accurate either, but it is a lot closer to the truth than this feel-good fantasy.