As much as I liked Garbo and Bartholemew, Rathbone was the best actor in the film for me. I thought he was superb as Karinen, truly magnetic and mesmerising. The role itself could have easily been cliched but Rathbone really gives it some depth.
"Life after death is as improbable as sex after marriage"- Madeline Kahn(CLUE, 1985)
He manages to do that very well in many films. I liked him in this role. However, it would have been nicer if they had written his character more like in the book. Karenin had a change of heart in the novel, and from what I remember of this film -- he doesn't!
shareA "change of heart" is a massive understatement. He agrees for Anna to continue her affair with Vronsky, on the sole condition that he not come to the house, which Anna disregards. He offers to allow Anna to divorce him on the ground of his adultery rather than the real one of hers so that under Russian law (a person divorced on the ground of his adultery may not remarry) she can marry Vronsky, and to have custody both of their son and her illegitimate daughter fathered by Vronsky. When this offer is not taken Anna abandons her son and runs off with Vronsky. After Anna commits suicide he saves the daughter's life and adopts her as his own. In this movie he is painted as an unfeeling villain.
shareI agree! I dislike the Sherlock Holmes films so have never liked him much except in The Adventures of Robin Hood; but here he delivers an even more compelling performance than as Sir Guy. He was able to convey the pain hiding under his cruel strictness. I hated him yet felt sorry for him. Excellent! I've never read the book so didn't know Karenin has a change of heart. Maybe the film change was a Code thing--the bad must always pay.
shareI agree about Rathbone being the best actor in this movie. IMO, he was the only one in the movie who didn't overact and chew scenery like mad.
shareI agree about Rathbone being the best actor in this movie. IMO, he was the only one in the movie who didn't overact and chew scenery like mad.
People in the 19th Century, especially wealthy classes, had different conventions and differently mannered behavior than they do now. I thought Garbo was terrific in this, perhaps her best film. Same for Rathbone, of course.
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I agree he was great but Sir Ralph Richardson's Karenin in the Vivien Leigh version was superb. His role was more dimensional, and included the pity he demonstrated towards Anna during her life-threatening pregnancy.
shareRathbone is simply magnificent in this role. I honestly believe that had the Academy introduced supporting actor awards one year earlier, he would have been a strong contender for the first Supporting Actor Oscar.
When I read the novel, I found it impossible not to hear Rathbone’s wonderful voice in my head whenever Karenin spoke.