Anna Karenina (1975)
A landmark Bolshoi Ballet film adaptation of Tolstoy's tragic masterpiece, with Maya Plisetskaya dancing and choreographing the iconic title role.
Anna Karenina - Movie Information
- Original Title: Анна Каренина
- Release Year: 1975
- Directed by: Margarita Pilikhina
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Music
- Runtime: 1h 15m
- Original Language: Russian
- Spoken Languages: Russian
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 18, 1975 (SU)
- Alternative Titles: Ana Karenina (BR), Анна Каренина (RU), Baletti Anna Karenina (FI)
- Production Companies: Mosfilm
- Production Countries: Soviet Union
Anna Karenina - Plot
In Imperial Russia, Anna, wife of the officer Karenin, goes to Moscow to visit her brother. On the way, she meets charming cavalry officer Vronsky, to whom she's immediately attracted. But in St. Petersburg's high society, a relationship like this could destroy a woman's reputation. A Bolshoi Ballet adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's novel with choreography by Maya Plisetskaya, who also took on the titular role.
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Anna Karenina - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Margarita Pilikhina
Main Cast
- Maya Plisetskaya
- Alexander Godunov
- Vladimir Tikhonov
- Yuri Vladimirov
- Nina Sorokina
- Marianne Sedova
- Aleksandr Sedov
- Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra
Writers
- Boris Lvov-Anokhin
Anna Karenina - FAQs
What is Anna Karenina (1975) about?
This 1975 Soviet film is a Bolshoi Ballet adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's celebrated novel. Set in Imperial Russia, it follows Anna, a married noblewoman who falls for cavalry officer Vronsky. The story explores passion, social ruin, and tragedy through the expressive language of classical ballet rather than spoken dialogue.
Who dances the role of Anna Karenina in this film?
The legendary Maya Plisetskaya takes on the titular role of Anna Karenina. One of the greatest ballerinas of the 20th century, Plisetskaya also created the choreography for the production, making this a deeply personal artistic statement as well as a showcase of her extraordinary technical gifts.
Who composed the music for this ballet film?
The score was composed by Rodion Shchedrin, who was also Maya Plisetskaya's husband. He crafted the music specifically for this production, and it was performed by the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra. Shchedrin's score is considered one of his most celebrated works, blending lyrical romanticism with dramatic intensity.
Where can you watch Anna Karenina (1975)?
You can check current streaming availability for Anna Karenina (1975) on JustWatch, which tracks where the film can be rented, purchased, or streamed across all major platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country.
Who directed the 1975 Anna Karenina film?
The film was directed by Margarita Pilikhina, who also served as one of the cinematographers. Produced by the legendary Soviet studio Mosfilm, the production brought together some of the finest artistic talents in the USSR to capture the Bolshoi Ballet's landmark staging of Tolstoy's novel on screen.
Is this Anna Karenina based on Tolstoy's novel?
Yes, it's rooted in Leo Tolstoy's iconic 19th-century novel, though it tells the story entirely through ballet rather than dialogue. The screenplay was adapted by Boris Lvov-Anokhin, and the production distills the novel's central love triangle and tragic arc into a visually and emotionally powerful dance performance.
What makes this ballet adaptation unique among Anna Karenina films?
Unlike the many dramatic film versions of Tolstoy's novel, this 1975 production tells the entire story through classical ballet, with no spoken word. The combination of Maya Plisetskaya's own choreography, Rodion Shchedrin's original score, and the grandeur of the Bolshoi Theatre makes it a singular artistic document of Soviet ballet at its peak.
What are some similar films to Anna Karenina (1975)?
If you enjoyed this film, you might also appreciate The Bolshoi (2016), The Nutcracker (1977), Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty: A Gothic Romance (2013), or Father Sergius (1978). For other Anna Karenina adaptations, the 1997 and 2012 film versions offer compelling dramatic takes on Tolstoy's story.
More About Anna Karenina
Explore further details about this film on these authoritative resources.