Anna Karenina (1935)

The wife (Greta Garbo) of a Czarist official (Basil Rathbone) falls in love with a military officer (Fredric March). This liaison ruins her marriage and her position in 19th century Russian society. Based on the classic novel by Leo Tolstoy and directed by Clarence Brown (NATIONAL VELVET). One of MGM's prestigious films (it was produced by David O. Selznick) so it's given the opulent treatment, its art direction and costume design are majestic. Garbo, who had previously played Anna in a silent film version called LOVE (1927), won the New York Film Critics best actress award for her work here gives a moving and complex performance. Of course, it isn't Tolstoy's ANNA KARENINA, how could it be? His 800 page plus novel is reduced to a 95 minute telling with several major characters and incidents eliminated. The problem with most film and TV versions (and there are over 20 at least) is an acceptable Count Vronsky. You have to believe that a woman would abandon her husband and child, her position in society out of passion for this man and it isn't March's stolid Count. For what it is, it's very well done. With Maureen O'Sullivan, May Robson, Constance Collier, Reginald Owen and Phoebe Foster.