Anna Karenina

Always in my dream,

I'm clinging to a branch,

Knowing full well that

death inevitably awaits me.

The fear of dying without ever having

Known love was greater than the fear

of death itself I Know now I was not alone

in the horror of this darKness.

So, too, was the fear

of Anna Karenina.

It was then that a drop of honey

sweet enough to divert my eyes

from the cruel truth

came into my llfe.

She was the princess

EKaterina ScherbatsKy.

Thank you, Constantine Dmitrich.

I didnt know that

you were in Moscow.

I arrived yesterday.

I mean, today.

I was going

to come to see you.

I didnt know

you could skate so well.

I'm awful.

But the rumor is that

you are a superlative skater.

Oh, years ago. It used to be

my passion.

Skate with me.

Must be dull in the country

in the winter.

Not at all. I'm very busy.

Mama said that you live

like a barbarian out there

and wear peasant clothes.

Theres a lot more to it

than you think.

Its very scientific.

Are you here for long?

I dont know.

That depends on you.

Mamas waiting for me.

- May I call on you?

- Were at home on Thursday as usual.

Today, then.

Au revoir!

You said you wanted my advice

on a delicate matter?

Yes, Stiva.

I think I'm in love...

but I'm plain and too old.

She may be able to love me as a friend,

but I wouldve to be handsome

and more remarkable to make

her love me as a husband.

Who is the lucky girl?

Cant you guess?

I'd be your brother-in-law.

Kitty.

Do you think theres

any possibility?

Oh, why shouldnt

there be?

For Gods sake, be absolutely

frank with me.

I'll tell you something.

My wife Dolly is a most

wonderful woman.

- She can see through people.

- What do you mean?

Well, I mean, not only that

she likes you,

but she says Kitty is certain

to be your wife.

They are sisters,

after all.

She... she said that?

Constantine Dmitrich Levin.

Oh, God.

Hes come early.

I dont think I've come

at the right time.

- I'm too early.

- Oh, no.

This is what I wanted...

to find you alone.

The guests should be

here in a moment.

I told you that I didnt know

whether I would be here long...

that it depended on you.

I meant...

I meant do say...

be my wife.

I cannot be.

Forgive me.

It was not meant to be.

Why, Constantine Dmitrich.

Do stay. Have some tea.

Ah, Constantine Dmitrich.

Back in our corrupt Babylon.

Well, is Babylon reformed,

or have you been corrupted?

That you remembered my words so well.

They must have made an impression on you.

Of course. I note down

everything you say.

Whats the matter with Levin today? Why

doesnt he launch into one of his tirades?

Please.

Constantine Dmitrich.

Hows it that at home in our village of

Kaluga, the peasants have spent their all

on drink and now pay us nothing?

What is the meaning of that?

Youre always so full of praise

for peasants.

Do let me introduce you.

Constantine Dmitrich Levin,

Count Alexei Kirillovich

VronsKy.

Constantine Dmitrich despises

and hates town and us townspeople.

Do you live in the country

all year round?

I should think it must be

rather dull in winter.

Not at all if one has work

to do. Besides, you cant...

- be dull in your own company.

- I like the country.

I'd be bored to tears.

One simply can't live without

sophisticated conversation.

Countess Nordston was telling me

about a demonstration of table

rapping and spiritualism she attended.

Oh, that would be fascinating.

I've never seen anything

supernatural.

Do you believe in spirits,

Constantine Dmitrich?

Whyd you ask me that? You know

perfectly well what my answer will be.

But I want to hear you opinion.

My opinions that table rapping

merely proves

that the so-called educated classes

are no better than the peasants.

They, too, believe in the evil eyes

and spirits.

But I've witnessed it myself.

But dont you think

theres something in it?

If we admit to the existence

of electricity

of which we know nothing,

Why shouldnt there exist

some newforces yet unknown to us?

Because with electricity when

you rub wool and resin together,

you invariably produce a

recognizable phenomenon.

But with this hocus-pocus...

Suppose we try now.

Do let us try,

Princess Kitty.

Ah, Stiva.

Who are you meeting?

My mother.

- You were missed last night.

- Where?

The Chateau des Fleurs,

of course.

My God, there was this wonderful

little girl doing the cancan.

I went home. I felt in such an agreeable

frame of mind when I left the Scherbatskys,

I didnt want to go

anywhere else.

By the mark of your steed, I can

tell your fine breed

and a young man

in love by his eyes.

- And who are you meeting?

- I've come to meet a pretty woman.

- Oh, indeed.

- Shame on you.

My sister Anna.

Karenins wife?

Yes, well, you must know her.

I dont think so. I know Karenin

by sight and by repute.

Youve a very illustrious brother-in-law.

Very high up in the Ministry.

Yes, a remarkable man.

But not our kind.

Like your friend Levin. I met him last

night, an insufferable fellow.

Oh, you dont appreciate my Levin.

But yesterday there was a reason

for him being out of sorts.

You dont mean he, uh...

Levin has been in love with

Kitty for so long,

and I feel so very sorry

for him.

So thats it.

Excuse me.

You got my telegram?

How are you? Well?

- Have a good journey, mama?

- Anna Arkadyevna!

Cant youfind your brother?

Stiva, here!

Shes very charming, isnt she?

Poor girl. Her husband refuses

to travel with her. He says hes too busy.

Well, Countess, youve met

your son, I've met my brother.

Pardon me for not recognizing you,

but I dont think weve ever met before.

Anna Arkadyevna

has a little boy of 8, Seriozha.

Theyve never been

parted before, and shes fretting

at having left him behind. Really,

Anna, you cant expect never to leave him.

Well, good-bye, countess.

Good-bye, my dear.

Very charming.

Horrible.

Hes dead.

It is a bad omen.

Nonsense. Youve come.

That is the chief thing.

You cannot imagine how much

I'm counting on you.

Stiva, I know youre to blame.

Dont deny it.

9 years... my children...

all to be thrown away

because of a...

momentary lapse.

True. It was not nice

that she was the

childrens governess.

What can I do?

Drop me at your house and

go bacK to the court.

Is this Grisha?

How hes grown!

How happy and well

you look.

He told me.

He met me at

the station.

Grisha, go and find Tanya.

Of course shes young,

and shes pretty.

My youth and looks are gone,

taken by him and

his children.

I hate him.

I dont want to speak up

for him,

but what is the best thing to do

in this dreadful situation, Dolly?

Stiva is ashamed.

But he made love to her.

I dont excuse him, but...

thats how it is.

Anna's mission to heal the rift

in her brother's family

was not unliKe my own desire

to restore the ties with my brother,

so desperate were we both

to feel love.

Good evening.

Excuse me. Is Nikolai Levin here?

There is a gentleman here,

Nikolai Dmitrich.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes