Fact vs. Fiction in the Animated Film ‘Anastasia’

Fact vs. Fiction in the Animated Film ‘Anastasia’

The real story of Anastasia Romanov is tragic and far from the heartwarming tale depicted in the family-friendly animated film. As the film celebrates its 20th anniversary, it’s an excellent time to revisit this Christmas tale and separate fact from fiction.

The Fiction: 300th Anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty

The film begins with the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, but the date is off by three years. The family celebrated 300 years on the throne in 1913, and they ruled for a total of 304 years until Nicholas II was forced to abdicate and was exiled to Siberia with his family.

The Fact: Anastasia as the Youngest Daughter

Nicholas II had four daughters: Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and the youngest, Anastasia. The youngest child and heir to the throne was their son, Alexei.

The Fiction: Rasputin as the Enemy

Grigori Rasputin is portrayed as a traitor to the family, but in reality, he was a friend and advisor to the Tsar. Known as a healer, Rasputin helped Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra treat their son’s hemophilia. Despite his controversial lifestyle, Rasputin was not the enemy of the Romanovs. He even predicted the fall of the dynasty and his own death at the hands of a Romanov family member, which came true when he was killed by Felix Yusupov in 1916.

The Fact: Anastasia’s Music Box

The real Anastasia did receive a music box from the Grand Duchess, but unlike the film, it was simple and silver.

The Fiction: ‘Rumors in St. Petersburg’

The film is set in 1920, but St. Petersburg was not called that at the time. In 1914, the city was renamed Petrograd, and then in 1924, it became Leningrad.

The Fiction: Anastasia as the Heir

Unfortunately, Anastasia was never in line for the throne. Only her younger brother, Alexei, had that right. According to the laws of the Russian Empire, women could only inherit the throne if there were no male heirs. Alexei suffered from hemophilia, and it was unlikely he would live long enough to rule. After Nicholas II’s abdication in 1917, the heir was supposed to be Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich, but he was imprisoned and killed a year after the revolution.

The Fiction: Anastasia’s Grandmother Searching for Her

The Dowager Empress Maria initially did not believe that her family had been killed. In her diary, she wrote that she was sure they had left Russia and that the Bolsheviks were hiding the truth. Maria always hoped that her family had survived, but unlike the film, she never offered a reward for their discovery or publicly spoke about the tragedy.

The Fiction: The Empress in Paris

The Dowager Empress Maria was not in Paris in 1920 but in Denmark. She fled Russia in fear, returning to her homeland.

The Fact: Anastasia’s Dog

In the film, Anastasia meets a dog that helps her gather the courage to learn about her lineage. In reality, she had a dog named Jimmy, and historians believe they died together.

The Fiction: Cousin Sophie

In the film, Sophie is the Empress’s cousin who helps verify the girls claiming to be Maria’s granddaughter. In reality, Sophie was Baroness Sophie Buxhoeveden, a lady-in-waiting to Anastasia’s mother.

The Fiction: The Romanovs Killed by Rasputin

In the film, Rasputin is consumed by his hatred for the Romanovs and sells his soul to ensure they do not live another day. He places a curse on them, and during the uprising, all family members are killed. In reality, the Romanovs were killed by Bolshevik troops in 1918. The family was told to dress and go to the basement of the house where they were living in exile, believing they were being protected. Instead, they were executed, ending the political line of the Romanovs but creating a mystery that the film explores.

Fact and Fiction: Dmitri

Franziska Schanzkowska, widely known as Anna Anderson, was the primary inspiration for the film’s creators. After a suicide attempt, she was placed in a psychiatric clinic where another patient suggested she might be the missing Romanov. Although DNA testing later proved she was a Polish factory worker, her story inspired the character of Dmitri in the film, who helps Anastasia escape through a secret door.