Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina

Year: 1948

Runtime: 139 mins

Language: English

Director: Julien Duvivier

RomanceDramaMoving relationship storiesPassion and romanceCaptivating relationships and charming romance

Vivien Leigh stars in this sweeping romance. After a quarrel between Stefan and Dolly Oblonsky, Stefan summons his sister Anna Karenina to Moscow to smooth things over. Anna journeys from St. Petersburg with Countess Vronsky, and at the Moscow station she meets the dashing Colonel Vronsky, igniting an instant, passionate attraction.

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Timeline & Setting – Anna Karenina (1948)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Anna Karenina (1948). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1870s Russia

The events unfold in the late 19th century, a period defined by rigid social codes and aristocratic privilege. Public life centers on propriety, marriage, and appearances, while private desires threaten to upend the social order. The era provides a backdrop of stylish interiors, formal gatherings, and the looming modernization of Russian society.

Location

St. Petersburg, Moscow, Italy

Set across imperial Russia, primarily in St. Petersburg and Moscow, with sequences that move to Italy. The lavish salons and ballrooms reflect a society obsessed with reputation. The journeys by night train and the public spaces of the city become stages for romance, scandal, and social scrutiny.

❄️ Imperial Russia 🎭 Aristocratic society 🚂 Travel by train 🎨 Ball culture

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:16

Main Characters – Anna Karenina (1948)

Meet the key characters of Anna Karenina (1948), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Anna Karenina (Vivien Leigh)

A married woman whose craving for emotional and romantic fulfillment drives her to defy her husband and society. She oscillates between passion and despair, facing social exile as a consequence of her choices. Her internal conflict and ultimate tragedy reveal the perils of a society that punishes female desire.

💔 Tragic heroine 🎭 Society and reputation 🌹 Passion

Count Vronsky (Kieron Moore)

A charismatic cavalry officer who openly pursues Anna, challenging social norms with confidence and ambition. His pride and fear of abandonment affect his decisions, culminating in a fragile balance between love and self-preservation.

💘 Seductive 🎯 Ambitious 🐎 Military officer

Alexei Karenin (Ralph Richardson)

A cold, principled government official more concerned with status than warmth. He attempts to manage the scandal and preserve appearances, offering a divided form of mercy toward Anna while prioritizing propriety over personal happiness.

🧭 Duty 🏛️ Authority 🧊 Stoic

Kitty Scherbatsky (Sally Ann Howes)

Dolly's sister who experiences humiliation but eventually finds her own path. She marries Levin, demonstrating resilience and growth within the social structure. Kitty's arc contrasts Anna's tragedy with a route toward domestic stability.

🌷 Growth 🪢 Marriage 💪 resilience

Konstantin Levin (Niall MacGinnis)

A landowning nobleman who embodies a more grounded, practical path through love and family life. His marriage to Kitty provides a counterpoint to Anna and Vronsky's reckless romance, emphasizing personal fulfillment through stability.

🌿 Domestic life 🧳 Practical 🕊️ Harmony

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:16

Major Themes – Anna Karenina (1948)

Explore the central themes of Anna Karenina (1948), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Forbidden Love

Anna and Vronsky’s connection defies marriage and social expectations. The affair tests loyalties, duties, and the limits of personal happiness within a rigid society. Their passion triggers scandal, exile from polite society, and a cascade of consequences that end in tragedy.

🎭 Social Hypocrisy

The story contrasts outward glamour with inward judgment, where whispers and appearances govern lives more than truth. Balls, salons, and public scenes become arenas where reputation is won or ruined. Community spectators shape choices and enforce conformity.

👩‍💼 Women's Agency

Anna’s pursuit of love places her at the center of a gendered trap, highlighting the limited autonomy available to women. Choices are constrained by marriage laws, social duty, and the gaze of peers. The narrative explores whether personal fulfillment can exist within or beyond those boundaries.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:16

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Anna Karenina Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Anna Karenina, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Anna Karenina Summary

Anna Karenina Timeline

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Anna Karenina Timeline

More About Anna Karenina

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