MovieChat Forums > Anna Karenina (1978) Discussion > Favorite actress for 'ANNA KARENINA?'

Favorite actress for 'ANNA KARENINA?'

posted 16 years ago by philboleyn-1
5 replies | jump to latest

I suppose every generation has it’s “favorite” actresses for specific characters. It would be hard to imagine another Scarlet O’Hara other than Vivien Leigh; Genevieve Bujold is the consummate Anne Boleyn. For ANNA KARENINA, Greta Garbo was it in the 1930’s...and Vivien Leigh in the 1940’s. I saw Nicola Pagett as Anna when it came out on the BBC in 1979 and was instantly smitten. The second BBC version left me cold and as for Sophie Marceau, although absolutely beautiful, was virtually impossible to understand (even though French is my second language; her accent was too heavy). Nicola was perfection; I wonder if playing “Anna” influenced her own tragic breakdown.

[–] tiderolls 16 years ago

I've wondered the same thing; I don't know if her breakdown happened before or after this role. I think Nicola Pagett captured Anna completely (and I might add Stuart Wilson was the perfect Vronsky, and Eric Porter did a wonderful job with Karenin--I didn't feel that much sympathy for him in the novel, but Porter's portrayal made me understand Karenin's pov).

[–] trpdean 16 years ago

I think Pagett is the best Anna Karenina I've seen - she's superb. However, according to her (brilliantly written) book, "Diamonds Behind My Eyes", she suffered her breakdown much later - in 1995.

[–] ekta-srivastav 14 years ago

I couldn't agree more ... I've seen several adaptations and Nicola wins hands down.
Strangely every time I re-read the novel, I picture her as Anna straight away ... just feels very natural.
She was completely immersed in the character .
The only other alternative to her that I can even imagine would be Vivien Leigh

[–] greenegg 12 years ago

Pagett inhabited Anna's soul. You're so right about seeing her as Anna when reading the novel. Wilson and Porter also fleshed out their characters in every sense. They had just the right chemistry the story demands. The supporting cast also performed quite ably.

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[–] cluciano63 11 years ago

I think I liked Nicola best too and know I loved S. Wilson's Vronsky best. I loved him in a small role in the Pallisers and he is the perfect Vronksy, dignified. And handsome enough to run away with. I liked the 2000 version too, though, as well as Vivien Leigh in the role, although the production code killed that version. And I absolutely disliked the Kiera Knightley version across the board, terrible casting.