Anna Karenina ( 1985 )

Anna Karenina (1985): A Faithful Rendition of Tolstoy's Tragedy

Franco Zeffirelli's 1985 film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's masterpiece, Anna Karenina, is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant interpretation of the classic novel. While no single film can perfectly capture the sprawling scope and philosophical depth of Tolstoy's work, Zeffirelli's version distinguishes itself through its fidelity to the source material, its impressive cast, and its evocative depiction of 19th-century Russian society. This article delves into various aspects of the film, examining its strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact, providing a comprehensive overview for both seasoned Tolstoy enthusiasts and newcomers to the story.

A Synopsis of the Tragedy

Anna Karenina tells the story of a married aristocratic woman, Anna Arkadyevna Karenina (Jacqueline Bisset), whose passionate affair with the dashing Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky (Christopher Reeve) leads to social ostracism, inner turmoil, and ultimately, tragic consequences. The film also interweaves the parallel story of Konstantin Dmitrievich Levin (Sean Bean), a landowner seeking meaning in rural life and finding love with Kitty Alexandrovna Shcherbatskaya (Fiona Fullerton). Through these two intertwined narratives, Tolstoy explores themes of love, adultery, social hypocrisy, faith, and the search for happiness.

Anna, trapped in a loveless marriage with the powerful government official Alexei Alexandrovich Karenin (Eric Porter), finds herself drawn to Vronsky's charm and ardent pursuit. Their affair quickly becomes the subject of gossip and scandal within St. Petersburg's high society. Torn between her societal obligations and her overwhelming passion, Anna chooses Vronsky, leaving behind her husband and son, Seryozha. However, her happiness proves elusive. Society's condemnation isolates her, and Vronsky, while devoted, cannot fully understand or alleviate her despair. This isolation and the constant scrutiny lead to Anna's growing paranoia and ultimately, her tragic decision to end her life.

Meanwhile, Levin grapples with existential questions about life, faith, and the purpose of existence. He seeks fulfillment in his work on his estate and finds solace in his eventual marriage to Kitty, who initially rejects him in favor of Vronsky. Levin's story provides a counterpoint to Anna's, highlighting the possibility of finding genuine happiness through simple living, family, and connection to the land.

Casting and Performances

The film boasts a strong ensemble cast, with each actor bringing their own interpretation to their respective roles. Jacqueline Bisset delivers a compelling portrayal of Anna Karenina, capturing her beauty, passion, and internal conflict. While some critics found her performance slightly understated, she effectively conveys Anna's vulnerability and growing despair. Christopher Reeve, known for his role as Superman, surprises audiences with his portrayal of the charming but ultimately flawed Vronsky. He captures Vronsky's initial ardor and his later inability to fully comprehend Anna's emotional turmoil. Eric Porter is excellent as the cold and rigidly formal Alexei Karenin, making him appear both pitiable and reprehensible. Sean Bean shines as Levin, bringing a quiet intensity and sincerity to the role, making him the moral center of the film. Fiona Fullerton, as Kitty, portrays her transformation from a naive young woman to a mature and compassionate wife with grace.

The supporting cast also contributes significantly to the film's overall success. Anna Massey's performance as Anna's friend, Princess Betsy Tverskaya, provides a glimpse into the superficiality and hypocrisy of St. Petersburg society. Judi Bowker, as Dolly Oblonskaya, portrays the suffering and resilience of a woman struggling with her husband's infidelity.

Zeffirelli's Direction and Visual Style

Franco Zeffirelli is renowned for his visually opulent and dramatic film adaptations of classic literature. His direction in Anna Karenina is no exception. The film is visually stunning, with lavish costumes, elaborate sets, and breathtaking cinematography that effectively captures the grandeur and beauty of 19th-century Russia. Zeffirelli masterfully recreates the opulent ballrooms, elegant drawing rooms, and picturesque landscapes described in Tolstoy's novel. The attention to detail in the costumes and set design transports the audience to the world of the Russian aristocracy. He emphasizes Anna's beauty through close-ups, soft lighting, and elegant costumes, further highlighting her vulnerability and tragedy. Zeffirelli's theatrical background is evident in the film's dramatic staging and use of music to heighten the emotional impact of key scenes.

Fidelity to the Novel

While any film adaptation inevitably requires some degree of simplification and condensation, Zeffirelli's Anna Karenina remains remarkably faithful to the source material. The film captures the major plot points and themes of the novel, and the dialogue is often directly taken from Tolstoy's text. However, some critics have argued that the film focuses more on the romantic aspects of the story and downplays the philosophical and social commentary that is so central to the novel. The complex political and economic issues that Levin grapples with, for example, are given less attention in the film. Additionally, the film omits some of the novel's minor characters and subplots. Despite these omissions, Zeffirelli succeeds in capturing the essence of Tolstoy's tragedy and conveying the emotional depth of the characters. He maintains the overall tone and spirit of the novel, making it a relatively faithful adaptation.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Faithful adaptation of Tolstoy's novel, capturing the major plot points and themes.
• Strong ensemble cast, with compelling performances from Jacqueline Bisset, Christopher Reeve, and Sean Bean.
• Visually stunning cinematography, lavish costumes, and elaborate set design.
• Effective use of music and dramatic staging to heighten the emotional impact of key scenes.

Weaknesses:

• Simplification of the novel's complex philosophical and social commentary.
• Focus primarily on the romantic aspects of the story, potentially at the expense of other themes.
• Some critics have found Jacqueline Bisset's performance slightly understated.

Themes Explored

The film, like the novel, explores a multitude of profound and timeless themes:

• Love and Passion: The destructive power of passionate, adulterous love is central to Anna's downfall. The film explores the conflict between societal expectations and personal desires.
• Social Hypocrisy: The film exposes the hypocrisy of 19th-century Russian high society, where appearances are more important than genuine morality. The characters are judged harshly for their transgressions, even as they engage in similar behavior behind closed doors.
• Marriage and Family: The film examines the complexities of marriage and family relationships, contrasting Anna's unhappy marriage with Levin's eventual contentment. It highlights the importance of love, trust, and mutual respect in a successful marriage.
• Faith and Spirituality: Levin's search for meaning and his eventual embrace of faith provide a counterpoint to Anna's despair. The film explores the role of faith in providing solace and purpose in life.
• Isolation and Alienation: Anna's social ostracism and her inability to find acceptance lead to her increasing isolation and alienation, contributing to her tragic fate.
• The Search for Happiness: Both Anna and Levin are on a quest for happiness, but they pursue it in different ways. Anna seeks fulfillment in passionate love, while Levin seeks it in simple living and connection to the land.

Critical Reception and Legacy

Anna Karenina (1985) received mixed reviews upon its release. Some critics praised Zeffirelli's visually stunning direction and the strong performances of the cast, while others criticized the film for its simplification of the novel and its focus on the romantic aspects of the story. Nevertheless, the film has endured as a popular and widely seen adaptation of Tolstoy's masterpiece. Its visual beauty and emotional resonance continue to appeal to audiences, and it has introduced many viewers to the world of Anna Karenina. The film remains a valuable contribution to the cinematic history of literary adaptations.

Comparative Analysis with Other Adaptations

Numerous film and television adaptations of Anna Karenina have been produced over the years. Each adaptation offers its own unique interpretation of the story, with varying degrees of fidelity to the source material. Zeffirelli's 1985 version is often compared to the Greta Garbo versions (1927 and 1935), the Vivien Leigh version (1948), and the more recent versions starring Keira Knightley (2012) and Sophie Marceau (1997). While the Keira Knightley version is visually innovative and stylized, some critics argue that it sacrifices emotional depth for spectacle. The Sophie Marceau version is praised for its romanticism and emotional intensity. Zeffirelli's version strikes a balance between visual beauty and emotional resonance, making it a relatively faithful and accessible adaptation for a wide audience.

Key Differences and Similarities with the Novel

While striving for fidelity, the film inevitably makes changes to the original text. The pacing is altered, and certain subplots are trimmed. The complex inner monologues of characters, particularly Levin, are difficult to translate directly to the screen. However, the core narrative and the central conflicts remain largely intact.

Character Analysis

Each character in Anna Karenina is complex and flawed, contributing to the tragic narrative.

Visual Elements and Production Design

Zeffirelli's meticulous attention to detail significantly enhances the storytelling.

Conclusion

Anna Karenina (1985) remains a compelling and visually stunning adaptation of Tolstoy's classic novel. While it may not fully capture the depth and complexity of the source material, it succeeds in conveying the essence of the story and the emotional depth of the characters. The film's strong performances, lavish costumes, and elaborate set design make it a memorable and enduring cinematic experience. Whether you are a longtime fan of Tolstoy or new to the world of Anna Karenina, Zeffirelli's film offers a rich and rewarding viewing experience.