Review of Anna Karenina (1935) by Bernard A — 02 Oct 2009

One of these days I'll get around to reading more of the classics. Until I do, viewing film adaptations will have to suffice. I recorded and was watching the 1948 version of ANNA KARENINA (Vivien Leigh), when I decided to stop and play my dvd of the 1935 version instead - which I had sitting on my shelf for the past year now. I suppose I didn't want to spoil the Greta Garbo version.

Produced by David O. Selznick and directed by Clarence Brown...it's not a perfect film, but still highly entertaining and a feast for the eyes with it's beautiful costumes and lavish sets.

Anna Karenina (Greta Garbo) is the bored wife of a government official, Alexi Karenin (Basil Rathbone), who seems to care more for his duties to the state than to his wife. They have a young son, Sergei (Freddie Bartholomew).

During a visit to her relatives in Moscow, Anna meets a dashing army officer, the Count Alexi Vronsky (Fredrik March). Vronsky is instantly smitten by Anna's beauty... so much so that later, during a ball they attend, Vronsky completely ignores his date, Kitty (Maureen O'Sullivan) to be with Anna.

When Anna returns home a few days later... she realizes how loveless her marriage really.

Is... but also excited to be pursued by the handsome Vronsky. They continue to surreptitiously see each other and soon become the subject of much gossip. Karenin is aware of his wife's indiscretions and the impact it could have on his career and social standings... so he bans Anna from the house and refuses her visiting rights to their son when Anna refuses to give up seeing Vronsky.

The one problem I see with this film is that Basil Rathbone as Karenin is very good as the cuckold husband that he completely overshadows Fredric March's Vronsky. Anna's relationship with Vronsky should have played hotter (well, maybe not... considering the code imposed at the time). The script should have been tweaked in that regard. I've read comments that March is miscast here opposite Garbo...but I think it's more the fault of the script. I see no fault with Garbo's performance as Anna Karenina - a tailor made role for her.

There are some interesting shots here also... especially the one tracking shot down a very long dining table. I wondered how the camera could fit between the plates of food and the candelabras...

There is also a nice shot of a sunrise through a train window- symbolizing possibly the start of a new phase in Anna Karenina's life.

Will see how this holds up to the other versions...

8 / 10.