Many directors were attracted by the work of the great Russian classic Leo Tolstoy "Anna Karenina." Soviet, Russian, American actors played roles in the films in which the directors tried to express their vision of the work. The plot of the novel is based on a love story, which can be looked at from different angles - both as a vicious passion that has destroyed more than one life, and as a wonderful feeling that crushes all principles and principles in its path.
The American director Joe Wright became one of the lucky ones who directed the large-scale film "Anna Karenina." The actors invited to the auditions were Hollywood stars. The main role was played by Keira Knightley, who shone in many films based on Russian and English classics (Doctor Zhivago, Pride and Prejudice). The next work of the actress was the painting "Anna Karenina." Actors were selected very carefully, the famous Hollywood artists - Robert Pattinson, Jude Law, Saoirse Ronan were tried on the role of Russian landowners.
Director concerns
Joe Wright has always been very sensitive to creating his paintings, carefully considering every detail. Anna Karenina was no exception. Actors, selected for the role, studied Russian culture, history, got used to the characters of their characters. The friendly atmosphere and warm relations between the actors on the set were the most important component in the filming process. Joe Wright grew up in a family where love reigned, and he sought the same warmth between the actors.
the main role
Keira Knightley, already having experience with Joe Wright, again shone in Russian classics. Previous work, created in conjunction with the same director, became the masterpieces of Hollywood cinema. “This story remains relevant today,” Kira said of the film “Anna Karenina.” The film, the actors, the whole process of filming, the very essence of the work became a serious step on the creative path of Keira Knightley.
Film crew selection
The idea to create a picture on the big screen belonged to Joe Wright. Reading the book of Tolstoy, he often saw himself in it when the author described the habits, characters of the heroes, their versatility and changeability in different life situations. The idea to create a picture based on the novel of the same name by a Russian classic captivated Wright with his head. To create a joint project, he invited his partners in past works - Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. “Anna Karenina” - the film, the actors and roles in which were distributed after many trials, became the meaning of the life of the newly assembled team.
Characters of the novel
The American aristocrats, landowners, secular ladies and young ladies, dreaming of love, had to play the Americans and the British - people far from Russian culture and the incomprehensibility of the soul. Samples took a very long time. Robert Pattinson auditioned for the role of Alexei Vronsky. James McEvoy was regarded as Levin, Saoirse Ronan received an offer to play Kitty, but was forced to abandon him due to circumstances. The actress was already involved in two other films at the time of the alleged filming of the film "Anna Karenina." American film, American actors, British screenwriter Tom Stoppard (Oscar winner for best screenplay) - all the components of the shooting were a risky step for the director.
Critic reviews
After the film was released on large screens, it caused a flurry of emotions. Ordinary laymen and professional critics divided into several opposing camps. The painting emphasized the romance of the plot, sometimes going through the roof and even related to serving God. At the same time, a certain depravity and depravity of the main character often passed between the lines in the picture. Critics accused the director of excessive coldness, creating the beauty of the scenery and the stunning outfits, but, alas, the inability to comprehend the Russian soul.
The bold and desperate step of the scriptwriter and director was the idea to realize all the action of the novel in the theater. The characters are found there, the main plot line runs through the walls of the theater, and occasionally the director takes events to fresh air. Such a vision of Tolstoy’s novel did not delight all viewers and critics. A lot of disapproval received the picture precisely for this step.
Costume designer Jacqueline Durran, also not the first to work with Keira Knightley and Joe Wright, surpassed herself in the picture. The fabrics from which Anna Karenina's dresses were made were fascinating. The finest lace, transparency and flying light canvases or, on the contrary, crumpled fabric that looks defiant and at the same time frank, allowed the costume to emphasize the mystery and destructive beauty of the heroine at the same time. Jacqueline Durran won an Oscar for best costume work in the film Anna Karenina.
Russian film adaptation of the picture
In 1967, in the Soviet Union, the picture was released by Alexander Zarha "Anna Karenina" - a Soviet film. Actors of that time played their roles flawlessly. The image of the main character was embodied by Tatyana Samoilova. Many critics and ordinary viewers doubted that the artist would be able to fully reveal the image of the Russian aristocrat on the screen, because before that, Samoilova played modern Soviet girls. But the actress broke all doubts to pieces. The kind of Anna Karenina that she opened to the viewer — amazingly beautiful, kind, in love, desperately suffering, fighting for her happiness and accepting death — could not be repeated by anyone else. Vasily Lanovoi was also completely able to play the role of Vronsky, millions of fans were in love with the actor precisely after this role. Nikolai Gritsenko brilliantly played the role of Karenin, investing a lot of energy in her. Trying to convey to the viewer all the ruthlessness of the essence of Anna’s husband, he worked for a long time on the image of his hero and found reflection of his essence in the peculiar gait of Karenin. The son of Anna was played by Vasily Sakhnovsky, duplicated by Klara Rumyanova.
The picture was presented to the Soviet audience, more than 40 million people watched and fell in love forever with the film adaptation of Tolstoy 's novel . Foreign viewers, unfortunately, could not appreciate the work of the Soviet director: that year the Cannes Film Festival was disrupted due to the unstable situation in the country and the constant skirmishes of students.