Details

Release year: 2012

Storyline

In late-19th-century Russian high society, St. Petersburg aristocrat Anna Karenina enters into a life-changing affair with the dashing Count Alexei Vronsky.

Top credits

Directors

Joe Wright

Writers

Cast

Keira Knightley — Anna Karenina
Jude Law — Karenin
Aaron Taylor-Johnson — Vronsky
Matthew Macfadyen — Oblonsky

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Awards

1 win & 3 nominations

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Did you know

• Joe Wright briefly considered having the actors use Russian accents but later decided against it, fearing it would be hard for him to assess their performances.

• One of Alicia Vikander's favorite experiences from the production was the filming that took place in the countryside outside of St. Petersburg, Russia. The temperatures dropped below -40 °C, and she stayed in a cabin for five days that didn't have hot water and only featured benches instead of beds. Meanwhile, Russian security guards protected her and co-star 'Domhnall Gleeson' from wild wolves and bears that dominated the deserted area.

• Inspired by Orlando Figes's 2002 production of Natasha's Dance, Joe Wright adopted an experimental approach to convey the essence of the story. The majority of the film was shot on a "run-down" theater built from scratch in Shepperton. Locations such as a skating rink, train station and stables were dressed on top of the theater. To create fluid linearity, doors open onto Russian landscapes; some actors walk from one set to another under the stage. For cutaway wide exterior shots, toy trains and doll houses were used. The only main cast member who is allowed to venture out of the theater is Domhnall Gleeson (Levin) because Wright wanted to amplify the fact that Levin is the only authentic character in the group.