It arrived like a rumour whispered on the wind – a grand, sweeping animated epic that wasn't from the Mouse House. In the late 90s animation landscape, dominated by Disney's renaissance titans, 20th Century Fox Animation dared to step onto the stage with Anastasia (1997), a film that felt both familiar in its fairy-tale aspirations and refreshingly distinct in its execution. It wasn't just another cartoon; it felt like an event, a lush, cinematic adventure promising romance, mystery, and a journey across continents, all rendered with a visual richness that demanded attention on the biggest CRT screen you could find.
A Different Kind of Magic
At the helm were Don Bluth and Gary Goldman, names synonymous with a certain brand of animation that often embraced darker themes and more complex emotions than their main competitor. Think The Secret of NIMH (1982) or An American Tail (1986) – films with genuine stakes and sometimes startling imagery. With Anastasia, they brought that signature style to a historical, albeit heavily fictionalized, backdrop. The animation is simply gorgeous, possessing a fluidity and detail that holds up remarkably well. There’s a tangible sense of scale, from the opulent Russian palaces shimmering with doomed grandeur to the rain-slicked streets of Paris sparkling under the Eiffel Tower. Fox invested heavily, reportedly around $53 million (a hefty sum for animation then, translating to roughly $95 million today), and it shows on screen. The seamless blend of traditional hand-drawn animation with burgeoning CGI for elements like the ghostly train sequence or intricate backgrounds was quite sophisticated for its time, creating a truly immersive world.
Journey to the Past
The story itself taps into the enduring legend of the lost Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov. We meet Anya (Meg Ryan, lending her trademark warmth and pluckiness), an orphan with amnesia who carries only a faint memory and a necklace hinting at a royal past. Enter Dimitri (John Cusack, perfectly cast as the charmingly cynical con man) and Vlad (Kelsey Grammer, bringing effortless comedic timing), two lovable rogues looking for an Anastasia lookalike to pass off to the Dowager Empress Marie (Angela Lansbury, radiating regal sorrow) in Paris for a hefty reward. What starts as a scheme, naturally, blossoms into something more – genuine affection, budding romance, and the slow unraveling of Anya’s true identity. The chemistry between Ryan's Anya and Cusack's Dimitri is palpable, their witty banter and slowly developing trust forming the heart of the film. You genuinely root for them, hoping this isn't just another con.
Dealing with the Dark Side (and Historical Detours)
Of course, no fairy tale is complete without a villain, and Anastasia gives us a truly memorable, if historically baffling, one: Grigori Rasputin (Christopher Lloyd, chewing the scenery with delightful menace). Reimagined here as an undead sorcerer seeking revenge on the Romanovs from limbo (yes, really), he’s a far cry from the complex historical figure. The writers (Susan Gauthier, Bruce Graham, Bob Tzudiker, Noni White, Eric Tuchman) took enormous liberties, transforming a political drama into a supernatural fantasy. It’s a choice that still sparks debate – is it a brilliant simplification for a family audience, or a slightly jarring tonal shift? Personally, I always found his demonic minions and ghoulish antics wonderfully creepy as a kid, adding a necessary jolt of Bluth-ian darkness. It’s pure fantasy, and viewed through that lens, it works within the film's internal logic. The sequence where Rasputin sends his demonic forces to derail the train is a standout piece of action animation, showcasing Bluth and Goldman's flair for thrilling set pieces.
Echoes of December
And then there’s the music. The score by David Newman is lush and evocative, but it’s the songs by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (who would later find huge success on Broadway with musicals like Ragtime) that truly lodge themselves in your memory. "Journey to the Past" became Anya’s soaring anthem of hope, earning an Oscar nomination, while the hauntingly beautiful "Once Upon a December" perfectly captures the spectral mystery of her forgotten life. Even the ensemble numbers like "A Rumor in St. Petersburg" and the delightfully Parisian "Paris Holds the Key (To Your Heart)" are catchy and well-staged. They don't just feel like tacked-on numbers; they propel the story and deepen the characters' emotions, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the best animated musical numbers of the decade.
Retro Fun Facts & Enduring Charm
Beyond the main cast, it's fun knowing that Bernadette Peters voiced Sophie, Marie's lady-in-waiting, adding another layer of Broadway talent. The film was a significant success for Fox, pulling in over $139 million worldwide and proving that non-Disney animated features could absolutely compete, both commercially and artistically. It sparked a brief, ambitious run for Fox Animation Studios before the full dominance of CGI took hold. I distinctly remember the VHS tape itself having this almost regal quality on the rental shelf, its artwork promising something epic. For many of us, Anastasia wasn't just rented; it was owned, watched repeatedly until the magnetic tape threatened to wear thin, particularly during those glorious musical sequences. Its legacy continues, even spawning a successful stage musical adaptation years later, proving the story's enduring appeal.
Final Thoughts
Anastasia remains a jewel of 90s animation. While its fantastical take on Russian history might raise an eyebrow, its stunning visuals, captivating romance, unforgettable songs, and sheer adventurous spirit are undeniable. It’s a film made with ambition and heart, a non-Disney princess story that carved out its own special place in the hearts of a generation. It balances darkness and light, humour and heart, spectacle and intimacy with remarkable skill. Does it hold up? Absolutely. It’s a nostalgic trip well worth taking.
VHS Heaven Rating: 9/10 Justification: The breathtaking animation, stellar voice cast, iconic musical numbers, and compelling central romance make this a standout classic. While the historical liberties with Rasputin are significant, they serve the film's fairy-tale narrative effectively. A near-perfect execution of a non-Disney animated epic.