Anastasia

An eighteen-year-old orphan who remembers only scattered moments from her childhood leaves the orphanage and goes to Paris hoping her grandmother, the Dowager Empress, might still be searching for the missing Grand Duchess. Two con men spot an opportunity and groom her to pass as Anastasia, teaching her manners and a convincing backstory so they can collect a reward. Along the way she forms unexpected attachments to her companions and begins to question who she really is. Meanwhile a malevolent figure connected to the old regime stalks anyone who threatens to reveal the past, bringing danger to their plans. The film keeps the central mystery intact, balancing songs, romance, and action without spoiling how everything resolves.

Released in 1997, Anastasia was directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman, with a screenplay from Eric Tuchman, Noni White, and Susan Gauthier. The production leaned on traditional hand-drawn animation and musical staging, and features voice work by Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Christopher Lloyd, and Hank Azaria.

The film's signature original song earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, and its score received notice from critics and awards groups. While it didn't dominate major ceremonies, the movie was recognized for its music and for bringing theatrical musical sensibilities into animated feature filmmaking.

Anastasia left a visible mark on 1990s animation culture, offering an alternative to the Disney formula with a darker villain, comic sidekick, and sweeping romantic theme. Rasputin and the bat Bartok became particularly memorable, and the film's melodies and visual set pieces are still referenced in popular discussions of animated musicals and stage adaptations.

Critics praised the film's visuals, the chemistry of the lead voices, and its melodic numbers, though some reviewers pointed out liberties taken with historical facts. At its heart the story is about identity, memory, and the pull of family, mixing adventure and humor while keeping an emotional center.