Anastasia: Fact or Fiction?
1. Opening Scene
In the opening scene of the movie, a great ball is taking place; celebrating the 300 year reign of the Romanovs. Anastasia's grandmother gives her a jewelry box to compensate for her return to Paris which contains the dancing figures of the Tsar and Tsarina. Anastasia also receives a necklace saying "Together in Paris" from her grandmother. Shortly thereafter, Rasputin appears and darkens the scene; he announces that he is merely the family's "confidant" and means no harm. The Tsar calls him a traitor and tells him to "get out". Angered, Rasputin curses the Romanovs and announces that the entire family will be dead in a fortnight; he then sells his soul to obtain the power to destroy them. Shortly thereafter, rebel armies invade the palace, and Anastasia and her grandmother narrowly escape through the servant's corridor. After another brief encounter with Rasputin, the two successfully find their way to a train station, where Anastasia's grandmother hops on an outgoing train. Anastasia attempts to board the locomotive as well, but falls and hits her head.
While this scene is highly entertaining, it does not contain a lot of historical accuracy. As we know, the Romanovs were being kept prisoners during the Russian Civil War fought between the “red” communists and the “white” autocrats. [1] On June 1918, white forces approached Yekaterinburg, the town where the royal family was kept imprisoned to attempt a rescue. [2] Upon hearing news of this, the government of Moscow, aided by Lenin and Sverdlov, conceived a plan to make sure this mission would not be successful; they planned to execute the Romanovs before the city fell into the white army’s power. [2] On July 16th, the Romanovs and their four servants were ordered to go into the basement for their own safety; and were then told by the red guards to line up in two rows so they could have their photograph taken. [1] Armed men then came into the room, and gunned them all down. [1] While we do see armed red guards entering the winter palace in the film, the rest of Anastasias’s family’s fate remains ambiguous to the audience. However, we can be certain that Anastasia did not escape unscathed from a possessed Rasputin in an attempt to board a train to Paris with her grandmother.
In the opening scene of the movie, a great ball is taking place; celebrating the 300 year reign of the Romanovs. Anastasia's grandmother gives her a jewelry box to compensate for her return to Paris which contains the dancing figures of the Tsar and Tsarina. Anastasia also receives a necklace saying "Together in Paris" from her grandmother. Shortly thereafter, Rasputin appears and darkens the scene; he announces that he is merely the family's "confidant" and means no harm. The Tsar calls him a traitor and tells him to "get out". Angered, Rasputin curses the Romanovs and announces that the entire family will be dead in a fortnight; he then sells his soul to obtain the power to destroy them. Shortly thereafter, rebel armies invade the palace, and Anastasia and her grandmother narrowly escape through the servant's corridor. After another brief encounter with Rasputin, the two successfully find their way to a train station, where Anastasia's grandmother hops on an outgoing train. Anastasia attempts to board the locomotive as well, but falls and hits her head.
While this scene is highly entertaining, it does not contain a lot of historical accuracy. As we know, the Romanovs were being kept prisoners during the Russian Civil War fought between the “red” communists and the “white” autocrats. [1] On June 1918, white forces approached Yekaterinburg, the town where the royal family was kept imprisoned to attempt a rescue. [2] Upon hearing news of this, the government of Moscow, aided by Lenin and Sverdlov, conceived a plan to make sure this mission would not be successful; they planned to execute the Romanovs before the city fell into the white army’s power. [2] On July 16th, the Romanovs and their four servants were ordered to go into the basement for their own safety; and were then told by the red guards to line up in two rows so they could have their photograph taken. [1] Armed men then came into the room, and gunned them all down. [1] While we do see armed red guards entering the winter palace in the film, the rest of Anastasias’s family’s fate remains ambiguous to the audience. However, we can be certain that Anastasia did not escape unscathed from a possessed Rasputin in an attempt to board a train to Paris with her grandmother.
2. Object: The Winter Palace
In the opening scene of the movie, we are introduced to the grandiloquence of imperial Russia by the narrator, Anastasia’s grandmother. An aerial shot of a beautiful palace, gates, and ball room are shown in great detail – but how accurate is the cartoon portrayal of the real palace? As seen below, the recreations of this palace, which is actually Catherine Palace [3], are quite accurate.
In the opening scene of the movie, we are introduced to the grandiloquence of imperial Russia by the narrator, Anastasia’s grandmother. An aerial shot of a beautiful palace, gates, and ball room are shown in great detail – but how accurate is the cartoon portrayal of the real palace? As seen below, the recreations of this palace, which is actually Catherine Palace [3], are quite accurate.
Catherine Palace is located in St. Petersburg, Russia, and was a summer home to the Imperial families of Russia. [3] While Anastasia and her family certainly did spend some time living in this palace, they resided in the nearby Alexander Palace for the last 13 years of their reign after the Winter Palace became too dangerous after the events of Bloody Sunday. [4] From this palace, the Romanovs were sent into exile. [4]
3. Scene: Anastasia's Arrival in Paris
Anastasia's grandmother holds interviews to try and find the authentic Anastasia at her house in Paris. After many impostors, she finally gives up and decides she will be seeing no more girls claiming to be her granddaughter. The real Anastasia arrives in Paris shortly thereafter.
Not unlike most of this film, the components of this scene are largely fictitious. In the movie, Anastasia’s grandmother plays a vital role in the story line; however, the character of the grandmother is very loosely based off of Anastasia’s aunt, The Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia, sister of Tsar Nicholas II. [5] Along with her husband and children, Olga was able to successfully flee Russia after the outbreak of the Bolshevik revolution in 1917 to Denmark. [5] Of the many impostors claiming to be Anastasia following the execution of the Romanov family, Anna Anderson was the most convincing. [6] Olga visited Anna in Berlin only to find no resemblance between her and her niece; she was continually questioned on Anna until her death in 1960. [5] Additionally, the backdrop of Paris is completely irrelevant to the true story of Anastasia, and was likely developed strictly for entertainment purposes.
Anastasia's grandmother holds interviews to try and find the authentic Anastasia at her house in Paris. After many impostors, she finally gives up and decides she will be seeing no more girls claiming to be her granddaughter. The real Anastasia arrives in Paris shortly thereafter.
Not unlike most of this film, the components of this scene are largely fictitious. In the movie, Anastasia’s grandmother plays a vital role in the story line; however, the character of the grandmother is very loosely based off of Anastasia’s aunt, The Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia, sister of Tsar Nicholas II. [5] Along with her husband and children, Olga was able to successfully flee Russia after the outbreak of the Bolshevik revolution in 1917 to Denmark. [5] Of the many impostors claiming to be Anastasia following the execution of the Romanov family, Anna Anderson was the most convincing. [6] Olga visited Anna in Berlin only to find no resemblance between her and her niece; she was continually questioned on Anna until her death in 1960. [5] Additionally, the backdrop of Paris is completely irrelevant to the true story of Anastasia, and was likely developed strictly for entertainment purposes.
4. Character: Anastasia
In the film, Anastasia, or “Anya” is depicted as a strong-willed, stubborn woman who isn't afraid of getting what she wants. The real Grand Duchess appears to have been no different, even though we will never truly know what she would have been like as a young woman. As a child, Anastasia was busy and outgoing; often considered to be the “favourite” of the family. [7] Even though her father was sure to provide an excellent education for all of his children, Anastasia was far from academic. She hated her grammar lessons, was horrendous at spelling, and was even known to bribe her tutors for better marks. [7] Despite being known as a tree climber, prankster, and tom boy, Anastasia was known to be a sweet, charming girl who loved her family dearly. [7] In this sense, the film “Anastasia” depicted her the true Grand Duchess' character well.
In the film, Anastasia, or “Anya” is depicted as a strong-willed, stubborn woman who isn't afraid of getting what she wants. The real Grand Duchess appears to have been no different, even though we will never truly know what she would have been like as a young woman. As a child, Anastasia was busy and outgoing; often considered to be the “favourite” of the family. [7] Even though her father was sure to provide an excellent education for all of his children, Anastasia was far from academic. She hated her grammar lessons, was horrendous at spelling, and was even known to bribe her tutors for better marks. [7] Despite being known as a tree climber, prankster, and tom boy, Anastasia was known to be a sweet, charming girl who loved her family dearly. [7] In this sense, the film “Anastasia” depicted her the true Grand Duchess' character well.
5. Scene: Rasputin's demise in Paris
In this scene, Dimitri and Anya try to escape Rasputin in the streets of Paris. As mentioned above, Paris plays no part in the true story of the Romanovs, but the animated depiction of the City of Lights is actually extremely accurate. When Anastasia and Dimitri battle Rasputin on a boat travelling down the Seine, I couldn't help but notice this accuracy. Having gone on a boat ride down the Seine myself last winter, I immediately recognized the scenery; alongside the view of the Eiffel Tower pictured below. Additionally, Rasputin did not die in Paris, and certainly not at the hands of Anastasia. Rasputin was killed December 29th ,1916 at the hands of Vladimir Purishkevich, Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich, Prince Yusupov, Captain Suhotine and Stanislaus de Lazovert. [8] These men first tried to poison him, and then shot him when he tried to leave the house of Prince Yusupov where they had invited him for food and drink. [8] Having survived the first gunshot, Rasputin ran into the darkness outside, where he was shot again by one of the aforementioned men. [8] His body was then wrapped in a sheet and dumped into a frozen river. [8]
In this scene, Dimitri and Anya try to escape Rasputin in the streets of Paris. As mentioned above, Paris plays no part in the true story of the Romanovs, but the animated depiction of the City of Lights is actually extremely accurate. When Anastasia and Dimitri battle Rasputin on a boat travelling down the Seine, I couldn't help but notice this accuracy. Having gone on a boat ride down the Seine myself last winter, I immediately recognized the scenery; alongside the view of the Eiffel Tower pictured below. Additionally, Rasputin did not die in Paris, and certainly not at the hands of Anastasia. Rasputin was killed December 29th ,1916 at the hands of Vladimir Purishkevich, Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich, Prince Yusupov, Captain Suhotine and Stanislaus de Lazovert. [8] These men first tried to poison him, and then shot him when he tried to leave the house of Prince Yusupov where they had invited him for food and drink. [8] Having survived the first gunshot, Rasputin ran into the darkness outside, where he was shot again by one of the aforementioned men. [8] His body was then wrapped in a sheet and dumped into a frozen river. [8]
Bibliography
- Romanov Family Executed." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
- Shooting of the Romanov Family." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Oct. 2014. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.
- "Государственный музей-заповедник Царское Cело." Государственный музей-заповедник Царское Cело. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014
- "The Alexander Palace." The Alexander Palace. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014.
- "Carolyn Harris: Royal Historian." Carolyn Harris Royal Historian. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014
- "Anna Anderson." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Jan. 2014. Web. 02 Nov. 2014.
- "Prominent Russians: Anastasia Romanova." Anastasia Romanova – Russiapedia The Romanov Dynasty Prominent Russians. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014.
- "Grigori Rasputin." Spartacus Educational. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014