MovieChat Forums > Anna Karenina (1948) Discussion > The 2 film versions don't jive

The 2 film versions don't jive

posted 15 years ago by mojo2004
6 replies | jump to latest

I just saw this version today for the first time but I see Garbo's version multiple times. The differences make sorta made me stand with husband rather than feel sorry for Anna in this version.

In the Garbo version Anna has a cold husband and a weak lover who eventualy drops her for his old life without the guts to tell her he's moved on.

In this version her husband is forgiving and gives her the option of leaving with a divorce making him a very sympathetic character. Yet she unnecessarily makes a fool of him with society.Then she hounds Vronsky with accusations of dumping her when it's all in her head. After he finds out she lied about her situation with the divorce he tells her she's the destroying what life they have together.

Even the ending is completely different. In the Garbo version Vronsky has gotten his commission back and is leaving for duty.Anna goes to the train station only to watch the princess,who is now his fiancee, & his mother see him off. She is heartbroken.

In this version after an argument Vronsky leaves a note saying he'll be gone for 2 days. Anna who has become quite delusional catches a train.At the next stop she sees thru the train window an officer she thinks is Vronsky. She gets off but after realizing it's not she doesn't get back on the train as her mind is now gone.

The final scene in both films is the same.

[–] KatharineFanatic 15 years ago

This film is more accurate to the book. It is not entirely true to the source material but the changes you noted are more like what Tolstoy wrote than what appears in the Garbo version. Alexei Karenin is MEANT to be empathetic, because he is the wronged individual in the novel. Certain of his actions later show a rigidness to religion and make Anna's life more difficult, but Tolstoy intended for the truth of his nature to be shown. (For awhile, he hates Anna, but when he sees her on her deathbed and forgives her, his forgiveness is genuine and his treatment of her changes.)

I didn't find Basil Rathbone's character too cold, but I agree that leaving out his forgiveness of Anna keeps him a "villain" rather than sympathetic. I am rather disenchanted with that version as a result -- it left out too much. This one changes some things as well, but so far I am surprised how well it meshes with the novel. (I'm watching it for the first time just now.)

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] mojo2004 12 years ago

I just need to read the book now because I love both films versions and I want the entire story. (lol)

Just for the record, I'm not a Dude, I'm a Dudette!

[–] kenny-164 11 years ago

I found the husband (Ralph Richardson) in this version to be very off putting and a cold fish. He seems to want his wife to be some kind of trophy without any real love, and yes that includes sexual contact, between them. Not a real marriage, in short.

Excellent film, btw. Leigh is incredible.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] irvberg2002 9 years ago

You mean "jibe," not"jive."