Summary: Animated adaptation of the tale of young Anastasia who finds herself in the care of a peasant family in Siberia. Her memory has failed her so she doesn't realise that she is the only member of the royal family to have escaped the Bolshevik revolutionaries who have taken over Russia. Slowly her memory returns...

ANASTASIA is the animated tale of a Russian princess who escapes a revolution and awakens in Siberia with a severe case of amnesia. Slowly Anastasia's memory begins to return, and she eventually reappears after being thought dead by most of the country. Only with the help of certain loyalists can she escape the dangers that wait for her.

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Stomping out their usual cuteness and carbon copying Disney's grand animation style to a tee, directors Don Bluth and Gary Goldman (An American Tail) create a successful musical comedy from the story of the lost Russian princess. Adapting the story of imperialism and revolution is tricky, and subsequently the film's opening is weak. Once Anya (voiced by Meg Ryan, sung by Liz Callaway) is a teenager and on her own (suffering from some degree of amnesia), Anastasiais quite pleasing though never refreshingly new.

20th Century Fox's big-money gamble to horn in on Disney's realm is worthy. The songs, especially the recurrent "Once Upon a December" by Broadway team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, are better than Disney's recent efforts. It's worth picking up the soundtrack. The mix of cell animation and computer work is vivid. The collection of vocal talent is also strong, from John Cusack (as Dimitri, who wants to earn the reward by bringing Anya to Paris) to Hank Azaria as an amusing albino bat. Kelsey Grammer helps turn a roly-poly sidekick into a warm and strong supporting character.

The biggest drawback is Bluth/Goldman's insistence on having a typical villain. Surprisingly, the story would be strong enough without one and the undead corpse of Rasputin (Christopher Lloyd) is unneeded and unoriginal. --Doug Thomas

Aspect Ratio:	4:3
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Interactive Menus, Scene Access
Year:	1997
Release Date:	April 2, 2001
Runtime:	50 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	I M C 347 D
Keywords:	Animated, Family, Anastasia, General, Animation, Childrens
Genre:	Childrens