Anastasia (1997)

Anastasia - 1997

For our first animated film, we feature "Anastasia" released in 1997.  "Have you heard there's a rumor in St. Petersburg?"  The Grand Duchess Anastasia is rumored to be alive and in St. Petersburg waiting to be reunited with her grandmother, the Dowager Empress.  Meg Ryan and John Cusack voice the characters of Anastasia and Dimitri in this beloved telling of a famous story.

The supporting cast includes Kelsey Grammer, Christopher Lloyd, Bernadette Peters, Angela Lansbury, Kirsten Dunst, Andrea Martin, Hank Azaria, and Debra Mooney.

This is the story of the Grand Duchess Anastasia and the special relationship she has with her grandmother, the Dowager Empress.  The music box given by the Dowager Empress to her granddaughter is the key to everything.

After being separated from her grandmother while attempting to flee Russia, Anastasia is sent to an orphan asylum and comes to be known as "Anya".  When she finally leaves the asylum, her first stop is St. Petersburg, where "Anya" arrives looking for the key to her past.

She goes to the Winter Palace in search of Dimitri, who can help her get the proper papers to get to Paris.  There, she unlocks memories of long ago, "Once Upon A December".

Of course, the pain in the Romanovs' side, Rasputin, sends his minions from the underworld to stop and kill Anya.

But Anya and company make it to Paris, where she realizes, "Paris Holds The Key To Your Heart".

Anya is reunited with her grandmother, but must face one of the most difficult trials yet: justice for her family in a showdown with Rasputin.

Cast rundown:

   Meg Ryan...............................................Anastasia

   John Cusack............................................Dimitri

   Kelsey Grammer......................................Vladimir

   Christopher Lloyd.....................................Rasputin

   Bernadette Peters....................................Sophie

   Angela Lansbury......................................Dowager Empress Marie

   Kirsten Dunst..........................................Young Anastasia

   Andrea Martin.........................................Comrade Phlegmenkoff

   Hank Azaria............................................Bartok

   Debra Mooney.........................................Actress

That's all for Anastasia.  It's a wonderful film, visually stunning, historically rooted, and with songs you'll be humming for years.  Are you ready for a "Journey To The Past"?

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