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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ต.ค. 2024
- Anastasia is Basically a Disney Renaissance Movie (Video Essay)
Hello and welcome to The Trove!
This video explores the journey of Don Bluth's animation career leading up to what I believe to be his crowning achievement - Anastasia. I think Anastasia shares many similarities to the Disney Renaissance movies - enough that it could be one of them! I explain my reasoning by taking a look at Anastasia's animation, story, and soundtrack.
While this channel is dedicated to Disney content, I decided to try branching out a little while staying in the same ballpark. Anastasia is film that I love deeply and it felt like the right subject to take on for this project. Hope you enjoy it!
Thanks for stopping by! If you love Disney animation, rankings, video essays, or trivia, head over to The Trove to see more videos like that. Consider liking and subscribing if you enjoyed this video, and expect more fun Disney videos coming soon!
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RANKED: • RANKED Episodes
VIDEO ESSAYS: • Disney Video Essays
TRIVIA: • WDAS Trivia Episodes
DISNEY ERAS RANKED: • Disney Eras RANKED
PIXAR RANKING: • Pixar Movies RANKED
SOURCES
"FILM; For Alan Menken, A Partnership Ends But the Song Plays On" by Stephen Holden
www.nytimes.co...
"Don Bluth made animation history by leaving Disney. Looking back, he has no regrets" by Carlos Aguilar
www.latimes.co...
"Anastasia composers tell the stories behind the film's most beloved songs" by Maureen Lee Lenker
ew.com/movies/...
"I Regret To Inform You That Anastasia Is Now A Disney Princess" by Scott Mendelson
www.forbes.com...
"Don Bluth and Gary Goldman Part One - Leaving Disney" by Steve Henderson
www.skwigly.co...
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If anything, Don Bluth kinda achieved his goal of wanting Disney to put more passion back in animation. It's just that he had to become the "enemy" rather than their ally for it to happen.
He definitely did. I'm so glad he valued animation craft and quality so much.
It's weird when you think about that woth Dreamworks; they came out when the renaissance era was ending, but other than HtTYD and KFP, they never became a consistent rival for Disney. Even now, Disney seems to stand alone on it's pedastal.
@@OpticalSorcerer Imo, Dreamworks, unlike Disney, is very experimental. They have hits and they have misses. Dreanworks gave us HTTYD but also gave us the Bee Movie. Idk, it feels weird.
Dreamworks also gave us Shrek and Prince of Egypt (both successful but wildly different).
While Disney, though they have some misses, you can still see the Disney print. And maybe that's why people gravitate to it because there is a familiarity but also variety.
Disney isn't perfect. But from an objective POV, I think this is partly why they are so successful til now.
@@keienn7259 NGL, Disney's more experimental films never really interested me; I prefer the fantasy musicals. I miss the fairy tales they did, but I admire them for clapping back at critics by making more original films.
Agreed. Both studios have their masterpieces. But as of the moment, Disney knows it's brand and know how to market. And they know how to capture their market with their remakes and originals. It's difficult to compete with them now
Anastasia is a very Disney-inspired movie, but at the same time I can't see it completely as a pure Disney movie, I think the Don Bluth-iness shines through: it's darker, a bit more realistic, grimier, and more nostalgic/sentimental.
One later Disney movie that IMO took a lot from Anastasia and Don Bluth is The Princess and the Frog.
Could you explain your tought about Anastasia vs princess And the frog ? Because I already thought of it without really telling why. But I think it has to do with the fact that those two movie happen in the same Era (the 20's). That they're is a song where the princess Dream in a rusty place to make it better in her Dreams And also that both has to destroy a magical item to kill the vilain. (And now that I think about, both movies relationship are enemies to lover, And both heroines get what they want in the end but realise that they need something else ?) If you have something else, tell me.
@@delireent.3960 All that you already said, plus the parts in the swamp where the protagonists are cute (but at the same time a bit slimy-icky) animals, with a fat, sweet jazzing crocodile and a cajun firefly (who dies tragically) as sidekicks, oh, and the hillbilly hunters...all very '80s Bluth.
I noticed that too. The Princess and the Frog gave me huge Bluth vibes as far as style. Probably why I really love The Princess and the Frog and sometimes forget that it Disney. I’m a big Don Bluth fan. Even the bad films have their charm.
@@olojohpenguins Only in that both movies feature the heroine turned into an animal against her will, have a large cast of talking animals (logical when your lead is mostly a talking animal), and both have a frog who is convinced he is a suave, ladies' man of a prince. And I can see the argument that Dr. Facilier is a bit more similar to Rothbart than he is to Rasputin, though both of them are more similar to each other than they are to him.
Princess and the Frog and Anastasia both start with the leads as adults who have opposing worldviews, which makes them initially dislike each other. They are forced into a situation where they have to work together, and this causes them to re-evaluate each other and start to see the good. They also have to learn from each other's strengths. The protagonists are chased from incident to incident by both mundane obstacles and supernatural shadowy creatures who are after them. They find respite at the home of a powerful matriarch who offers a possible future and solution to their dilemma... a future that would not include the h/H together. The hero decides to sacrifice his romantic feelings for the heroine so that she can have the best possible future . The heroine feels betrayed by the hero and they are separated as the story goes into its climax and the villain supernaturally attacks. Together, they overcome the villain, and go for a different future, one where the h/H stay together. The hero has to learn to put others first and the heroine has to learn that what she thought she wanted was not what she actually needed.
Obviously, there are many differences and different tropes at play in each, but the similarities speak for themselves.
In The Swan Princess, the leads meet as children, dislike each other, and then fall in love as adults. They are separated by a lovers' spat that seemingly ends the relationship, but functionally for the plot this never comes up again and the story treats them as destined true loves for the rest of the run time. The heroine is held captive by the villain, and the hero attempts to rescue her. They are hampered by difficulties in communication, but the actual relationship is never in doubt. Both the h/H are essentially static characters, and the story is driven by plot events and not character development. The plot is resolved by the hero defeating the villain, who turns into a giant monster, and saving the heroine, at which point they acquire exactly the future every single person wanted and predicted for them.
I love Swan Princess, please don't get me wrong, but it's made from a different mold. Anastasia predicts the rom-com adventure format which Disney eventually adopted and used with Princess and the Frog, Tangled, and Frozen, where the main couple are co-leads who fall in love gradually across the movie. Swan Princess is similar to The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, where the more rigid and static forms of the traditional fairytales are still being used as outlines, but the characters are quirkier and have more personality. The couples fall in love very quickly (at least as far as runtime), but are separated by external obstacles, including a villain who morphs monstrously for the finale. Some of the "decorations" are the same between SP and PatF (animal transformation, frogs, alligators, swampy setting) but they are baked from different recipes.
@@olojohpenguins I can see the similarities in the villains you are talking about , but I think Rasputin, Jafar, and Facilier all have that "lean, and mean" villain build - with differences in facial features and style to account for their different backgrounds. Rasputin and Jafar DO look the most similar, though.
I actually think Rasputin's reliquary is way more similar to Facilier's pendant than to Jafar's lamp, especially since the whole lamp being destroyed thing is in the sequel (the sequel also has a villain impersonating a protagonist)
All four of those villains have supernatural powers.... and Jafar and Rothbart are the ones who seem fairly in control, whereas Rasputin and Facilier are scrabbling desperately to maintain their holds on their power. Jafar and Rothbart share a "marry the princess/rule the kingdom" modus operandi, whereas Rasputin and Facilier both have a vengeance motive. Facilier is the odd man out of the four, because he has no royal connection and no known reason for his hatred of Daddy LaBoeuf, but there is the unspoken theme of class warfare that he and Rasputin share (just in the movie, though)
Princess and the Frog and Anastasia also have in common being "theme park versions" of the same time period, but glossing over dark realities, whereas Swan Princess and Aladdin are both fantasy lands vaguely based on real places.
I vividly remember the devastation of me finding out Anastasia is actually killed instead of escaping. This movie had me firmly believe that she have had her happy ending.
same here, i was very sad to learn the reality
from what I understand there was "a rumor, a legend" that went around about her having survived, likely to give hope to those who did not align with the new communist government. Probably not true that there was such a rumor, but we humans seem to always be as conspiracy theory crazy at any point in existence.
100% me too... It felt like a part of my childhood died when I heard the news...
When the movie came out, there was a theory that Anastasia actually did escape, there was a woman who worked at a factory who claimed this, but of course, years later, they found the real Anastasia's remains.
The movie gave me hope that Anastasia did escape that tragic event and got a happy ending. I was very sad years later when I read that she died with the rest of her family. I can’t imagine how terrified the real Anastasia and her family were that day in that basement. 💔
Most Don Bluth movies have something I see very rarely (if ever) in Disney movies: more layers. Something dark behind all the whimsy. A dark theme or a dark message supporting the story. It makes his movies slightly more sinister but also that much more powerful and mysterious.
Anastasia is my favourite animated movie of all time, by the way!😊
That's a great observation. So cool that Anastasia is your favorite!
I think someone once said Bluth had a belief that children could handle deeper concepts, as long as you attach a happy ending...
I mean, one of his biggest films opens with a mastermind breaking out of jail to go back to his illicit enterprises... only to be drugged and murdered by his business partner. (all dogs)
Disney didn't show us Bambi's mother dying, it was only narratively implied... but Bluth gave us some real FEELZ that Disney copied later in The Lion King...
"Mother...? Mother, get up.. we have to go...mother...?" .
The Secret of NIMH is the embodiment of this. As a kid, I definitely knew there was something dark going on, but I couldn't have understood why until I came back to it decades later.
Then... there's Thumbelina; which is not Don Bluth at his best.
Unfortunately, with his movies, they were very hit-and-miss. They were largely indie projects for him, so you often got both his greatest strengths and his greatest weaknesses on full display. I also suspect that after "All Dogs Go To Heaven" underperformed, he and his crew tried to copy Disney's Renaissance, and it royally backfired. "Anastasia" was a much-needed comeback, but then "Titan AE" destroyed his directing career.
I always felt that Anastasia and The Swan Princess have some of Disney's magic and I love it
Same, for me it's the princess story and soundtracks that make it feel that way. I grew up with both, they're so great!
@@thetroveyoutube Indeed, I always loved both and I think Swan Princess is underrated, love Odette so much
@@thetroveyoutube When I was in elementary school I used to play with a classmate and we usually played Disney's characters...I was Simba and she was Nala(and later I was Kovu and she was Kiara),I was Aladdin and she was Jasmine,I was Derek and she was Odette,I was Dimitri and she was Anastasia(for real,since that's her actual name!X-D)...it took me *YEARS* or maybe *DECADES* to find out the last 2 movies weren't Disney(same for"Thumbelina")and,to this days,I still consider them as if they are,EXPECIALLY"Anastasia"...that movie has *EVERYTHING* from Disney:the drawing style,the types of characters(Princess,Prince,Villain,who looks very similar to Jafar IMO,sidekicks for both the main character _and_ the Villain),songs,the people who made it who _LITERALLY_ used to work for Disney... literally the *ONLY* thing of this movie that isn't Disney is THE LOGO and now that Disney owns 20th Century Fox _technically_ I CAN call"Anastasia"a Disney movie and Anastasia a Disney Princess *AND I DON'T WANNA HEAR ANYBODY CONTRADICTING ME!!!>^
@@Headstrong9128 I will forever love that turtle. The Swan Princess is such a good movie. Can’t really say the same for those sequels. But that original film was pretty good.
I don't know
I never thought it was Disney or related to it when I first watched it
I love this film in every way. It's part of my childhood and it's not appreciated enough. But the confirmation of Princess Anatasia's death 10 yrs after(2007) this animated movie came out(1997) leaves it a bitter taste. No fault of the movie.
It might be just me, but the expressions on the characters’ faces in this movie feel so much more lively and realistic compared how they look in the Disney renaissance films.
I absolutely love Anastasia. The music is still something that I listen to, the animation, Anya's sassy personality, the hate to love relationship between Dimitri and Anya, Rasputin was scary to me as a kid and now he's a fun villain to enjoy, Anya trying to find her family, etc. It's such an amazing movie.
I grew up on Christopher Lloyd movies... so that made him less scary to me XD
every time Rasputin talked, I was mentally replaying the opening of Back to the Future 2, when Lloyd is wearing those goofy future glasses (that fun fact, were actually opaque..that's why Lloyd's performance in the scene was goofy... he was blind... bracing himself on the car and lining himself up with Fox before running to him like a mad person lol )
~well, that and Bartok... dude legit stole my heart XD "a HA....and a HYAAA... and then I'd kick her..."
@@abigails4088 "Whoa -- that fell right out there, sir." 🧿
Gets me every time 😆
@@abigails4088 His name is Bartok the Magnificent! And it must be sung about.
Snow White, the very first Disney Princess, had _four_ solos: "I'm Wishing," "With a Smile and a Song," "Whistle While You Work," "Someday My Prince Will Come." Well, "I'm Wishing" was a duet with her own echo. 😂
She's not a Renaissance princess, she's a Golden Era princess.🙂
That's true! I should've specified I meant leading ladies within the Renaissance.
So, Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, the three "passive princesses" they have better movies than Anastasia.
Definitely fits the criteria aside from not being made by Disney. It's a great film! Though I hate how Dimitri is okay with lying to Anya even after he develops feelings for her.
Stop treating the fact that Anastasia was not originally made by Disney as a "defining aspect" of said character and film, when it fits Disney and is owned by Disney now!
@@kikicallahan3662 Disney may own it, but they're only putting their name on stuff that their studio created. It'd be disrespectful to the original cast and crew otherwise.
@@OpticalSorcerer Anything animated movie Disney owns can be considered Disney.
@@OpticalSorcerer omitting 20th Century Fox characters from Disney Princesses is inexcusable,
@@OpticalSorcerer ironically, omitting Fox characters like Anastasia from Disney Princess lineups is actually disrespectful to both 20th Century Fox and Disney themselves. All it does is make fans unhappy with Anastasia’s omission.
I'd say "Paris Holds the Key to Your Heart" is most similar to "A Girl Worth Fighting For" from Mulan. Both songs occur around the second act of the film, are large ensemble numbers performed primarily by comedic supporting characters, and can easily be removed from the film without majorly affecting its plot (Anya can still get to the ballet and meet Marie without "Paris Holds the Key"; Mulan and the soldiers can still get to the battlefield without "Girl Worth Fighting For"). Also "Les Poissons" from "The Little Mermaid".
As for "Once Upon a December", I think the distinguishing factor is that "December" is an "I Am" song, whereas "Journey to the Past" is an "I Want" song. In an "I Am" song, the character sings about what they are currently feeling/experiencing, as opposed to their goals or aspirations. When you make this distinction, "December's" closest counterpart could be either "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas, "I Won't Say I'm in Love" from Hercules or "Something There" from "Beauty and the Beast"
I posture that perhaps JUST AROUND THE RIVERBEND might be a better choice than COLORS OF THE WIND... I think they both encapsulate what youre saying in terms of "personal feelings" but COLORS is more of a boisterous confession or challenge in how it sounds, whereas RIVERBEND is more subtle and introspective in tone... it's about her dreams and feelings regarding the future...
"Do I choose the smoothest course, steady as the beating drum... should I marry Kokoum... or do you still wait for me, dream-giver...? Just around the riverbend."
Great comparisons! I especially like what you said about "Once Upon a December." I never thought of it as an "I Am" song, but that makes so much sense.
I can see that. I think "Just Around the Riverbend" is Pocahontas' "I Want" song though, so for me it's most similar to "Journey to the Past."
Anastasia, for me personally, is above every Disney renaissance movie. Maybe it's nostalgia but it just doesn't feel as artificial as Disney.
I agree, there is something about how it deals with emotions that is less bombastic and fake.
I wrote a really long comment about the différences between Anastasia And the others Disney movies. (Go check it) And i'm happy to see someone who feel the difference ! I was so shocked when I discoverd that everyone tought it was a Disney movie 😂 for me it was obvious from my birth that it wasn't 😂
That’s an ironic take since the real Anastasia died with her family... 😅
Don Bluth's films, at least to me, were always more "real", more personally relatable on an emotional level.
@@thefoxsaysmeow I really like Anastasia but I could not care any less about films that feel real or personal. If it’s enjoyable then it’s good. That is all.
He was such a big fan
And made his own Disney style
And it's obvious how his movie could be Disney canon but to say the least he is Disney's long time rival
More like a divergent alternate path; what DisneyCorp could have been under different management.
wow, I didn't know a lot about don bluth and his journey to anastasia, but he was .. ahead of his time, it seems like. he probably hates what disney does nowadays. but srsly where's the documentary about him and his fellow animators trying to stand up to disney? id watch it in a heartbeat
I'd love to see an official documentary as well!
Does this mean land before time is a Disney movie
@@jaaz_fr4318 No, it wasn't involved with Fox so it didn't get bought by Disney.
@@jaaz_fr4318 Land Before Time is Universal and isn’t owned by Disney. Universal sure has a lot of dinosaur themed movies…
He's a mormon. So... yes.
One of the things I find hilariously ironic is that Don Bluth left Disney because he didn't like the way they did the stories to their films. He worked hard to make movies that were different compared to Disney at the time with varying degrees of success. But then he would go and make Anastasia, which follows the Disney Princess Film Formula to a T, and it ends up being his most successful film he's ever made. Then the publisher of the film, Fox Entertainment, ends up being acquired by Disney. Essentially making it a Disney movie.
His most successful film not only copies Disney, but eventually came to be owned by them. God so many levels of irony here lol.
It really is wild, but incredibly interesting to learn about!
Im pretty sure that his main issue was the Disney didnt invest enough money into animation
He didn't hate Disney, he loved Walt and didn't like what happened to the company when he died. If anything, Bluth wanted to carry Walt's tradition more than the company that bore his name did. Bluth wound up doing his own thing, to be sure, a bit darker and weirder than Walt. That said, it's definitely ironic that Bluth's greatest financial success was when he embraced the pop-princess fairy tale schtick. Unfortunate, but that's where the market went.
This was a nice tribute to this film and Bluth's history overall. Anastasia is one on my favorites. partly because it is NOT bound by the traditions of Disney, but I see the parallels you pointed out.
One note: The trend of a pop culture cover of a song from the film might actually have started with James Ingram and Linda Ronstadt performing Somewhere Out There in the end credits of Bluth's An American Tail, five years prior to Beauty and the Beast. The song was a huge commercial success. Disney has frequently done it since then.
Its awesome how Once Upon a December is so unique it has no real equivalent. The only equivalent to it I can think of is Beauty and the Beast. Both are whimsical and meagical ballroom songs that dwell on the transformative/restorative power of love.
Great video! When the outfits change in “Once Upon a December”, I ALWAYS get chills!
Thanks! That is a fantastic moment.
Loved the video, however, I think Don Bluth started the “Disney” trend to have pop singers sing the end credits. Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram come to mind in American Tail. And even Paul Williams in Secret of Nimh. Just goes to show how extremely influential this guy was. Thanks for great content!!!
Yes, you're correct, I was mistaken on that point. Thanks for watching!
I find Don Bluth's animations more human-like in movements as well as facial expressions. His backgrounds are also very detailed, so in terms of artistic expressions, He is ahead of Disney in my opinion.
As for "Once Upon a December", the first thing that comes to my mind would be "Once Upon a Dream" - both are waltzes, the titles are extremely similar, and music wise, their melodies start with similar interval patterns. But that would honestly be all
As I have commented on Saberspark years ago, I will comment now. Anastasia in a beautiful and well-made animated movie that came a decade too late to help anyone involved in it. Today, people will now see it not only as basically a Disney Renaissance movie, but just another trophy on Mickey Mouse's mantelpiece of purchases made throughout the years.
This is my favorite animated film from my childhood and after this video, I'm just seeing how much better the quality is from the Disney films. I wish there were more like this.
Even as a child, back then, I noticed the dramatic lighting at the moment when Anastasia is about to have her debut as Duchess and peeks through the curtains. You can notice how the light on her body follows the movement of the curtain when she closes it again. It was so intrigued, and I still always am in awe of this artistry when I see it. Real talent right there from the makers of the movie.
Also, I wasn't aware that "journey to the past" was the most iconic song. I always thought it was "once upon a December".
'December captures the spirit of the film better, I think, as a melancholy, wistful, slightly hopeful piece. 'Journey is a headliner/Broadway piece for the soundtrack, but 'December has far more heart.
As someone who grew up during the 80s, I´m both a Bluth and a Disney kid, but I'd always loved Bluth's more mature approach to animation. I think Disney came closser to Bluth with The Lion King and The Hunbach of Notre Dame, actually (that's probably why they are my favorite Disney movies) But Anastasia will forever be my favorite princess.
I think the main melody of “Once Upon a December” became a bit of a leitmotif for Anastasia’s journey.
I would say A Rumor in Petersburg. Would be closest to the Little Town - Belle opener. This is because while the song paints the intro scene. It also explains the rumor of a princess & the belle one exhibits the town while introducing princess as well. It’s a reflection of how the townspeople gossip about princess
I would say Once Upon a December is similar to Once Upon a Dream. It’s unique because Anastasia sings two songs while Aurora is asleep most of the film BUT they both are fantasy & they are reoccurring throughout the film. Both are played once and then again at the end. Also they both connect key characters to each other (Anya & grandma/Aurora & prince)
Pari holds the key is equivalent to A Girl Worth Fighting For. Mulan & dimitri experience introspection whilst other characters celebrate. Everyone else is excited in both songs
These are excellent comparisons, I think I agree with you one these. Thanks!
@@thetroveyoutube no! Thanks for the reply, I felt a little over invested writing the comment so it’s nice to get a response lol
This is such a brilliant movie, and still.. as a 40 year old woman, Anastasia finds a special place in my heart and I am not ashamed to admit i still watch it to this day and love it just as much. All Dogs go to Heaven is another one. I actually liked Titan A:E .. had it on video
I'm so glad Titan AE existed... it's such a good film, and if not for working on it Joss Whedon may never have went on to make Firefly...
and I can never watch Titan AE without feeling like I could take on an entire alien species XD it's just such an empowering film.
I even searched in the game NO MAN SKY to find a ship that looks similar to PHOENIX (the ship Cale repairs after being stranded with Akima)
@@abigails4088 I love Firefly 👏👏😁 great series ..shame it was short-lived tho
@@stacy9538 short as it was... we goot what we needed...
so many bits from that show that still move me... seeing Jayne second guessing his dislike of Simon during the hospital infiltration (seeing Simon risk everything to save that patients life)
to the ending bit of TRAIN JOB (not when Mal kicks the thug into Serenity's engine... but when the Sheriff shows up) ...I still tear up when he says to Mal "A man knows the truth of a situation such as ours, well THEN...then he has a CHOICE..."
Mal's response, words spoken almost from the depths of my own heart...
"I don't believe he DOES"
Anastasia is such a special movie. I could go 50 years without watching it and still gush about it. It's got all the charm and magic of a Disney movie but with an added layer of intrigue and complexity to back it up. Colorful, magnificent, and textured. That's how I'd describe it.
Perfect description. Glad you love the film!
Your timing is really impeccable. The theater production of Anastasia came to my city very recently. There were a handful of changes that were pretty noticeable. I liked the villain change conceptually and I think it made Rumor in St Petersburg a lot stronger. However, I found the actual antagonist a bit lacking as a character. It felt like the character himself could’ve been removed and not much would change about the story. On the other hand, there’s a beautiful song that uses bits from Rasputin’s song, but it’s sung from the people that are fleeing Russia before the borders close. The melody paints Russia itself as the new villain. The song is absolutely heartbreaking because it’s people asking for one more minute before saying goodbye to their home.
They also removed the dance between Anya and Dimitri, but not Vlad’s line about how he shouldn’t have let them dance, which was an odd choice. The new songs were pretty good and gave additional characterization to Anya, Sophia, Vlad, and Dimitri. More time to go into their history and all that. But the fact that it flows seamlessly into the format just shows how Renaissance inspired this film was. It wouldn’t exist without the Renaissance and the Renaissance wouldn’t exist without Bluth. It’s a symbiotic relationship there.
That's awesome you got to see the musical! I was supposed to see it last year but it got delayed to 2023 due to covid. I'm really looking forward to it!
The line "I never should've let them dance" in the musical is in relation to a short dance during "Learn To Do It" and that's what Vlad was referring to. That being said, it is definitely out of place.
I saw the musical recently and that line is included, but it is much later into the story. Anyway, the first part in Russia was fantastic, but some of the changes to the latter half made it, in my opinion, much weaker than the movie. In particular, the villain climax is pretty muted in comparison to the movie. Also, the bonding time between Anya and her grandmother seems to have been reduced/removed? It was absolutely worth it, but I wasn’t a huge fan of these changes.
If I had a nickel for every time Don Bluth has made an animated fantasy movie based loosely on actual dark Russian historical events, I'd have 2 nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.
hahaha, 10 cents!
An American Tail being the other one?
@@princesspikachu3915 Yes, since that movie literally opens with Russian Cossacks on horseback shooting at Jews as part of government sanctioned pogroms, something which really did happen quite regularly in Tzarist Russia.
I'm actually with the composers on the Rasputin thing. Not for historical accuracy reasons - I just think the plot of Anya trying to find her family is interesting enough on its own, and sometimes the Rasputin sequences feel a bit like taking a detour from the main story. Not sure how they'd make a satisfying climax out of that though - because Anya killing him was a real badass moment lol
And this! This is for you!
Revenge is indeed sweet when the curse she did beat.
Anastasia and Cats Don't Dance were my two favorite (formerly) non-Disney movies as a kid.
Cat’s Don’t Dance is still Warner Bros. Disney won’t be getting their paws on that one anytime soon.
honestly, compared to a lot of disney movies at that time, i think what anastasia did best was the romantic subplot. most of disney's earlier romance was just "girl meets boy and they get married". anya and dimitri actually have an interesting chemistry, get enough screentime together to look past their differences and develop a healthy relationship and are both better people by the end because of the relationship.
id say the trend of doing covers of movie songs in the credits started with an american tail and the rendition of "somewhere out there"
True. And Bluth did that again with the ballad from Land before time. It was sung during the credits by Diane Ross.
Once upon a december was super iconic
I watched Thumbelina a couple days ago and was reminded how much I LOVE that movie. Anastasia was always one of my favorites too. And watching this video makes me realize that MANY of Bluth's animations were my favorites growing up.
I just ❤ Anastasia! I actually first had exposure to the musical, and actually just saw it while it was on tour and came to a city close to here. I just love the music and story, and this story is one of the reasons why I have recently gotten into this era of European history. This movie/musical is one of the best, even if it isn’t an actual Disney movie
That's great! I'm seeing the musical next year and I'm really excited.
@@thetroveyoutube The musical is actually not as good as the movie.
“Home, Love, Family
There was once a time
I must have had them too
Home, Love, Family
I will never be complete
Until I find you...”
I was 8 years old when I watched Anastasia... *Journey To The Past* maybe the first song ever that made me link the story I’m watching to my real life. The lyrics - specifically - this part where those three words repeated twice (Home, Love, Family) hit me hard as a lonely child for a divorced parents each of them remarried leaving me with no one but my beloved grandparents. To me this was more than a song in a movie, I saw myself in Ana’s character singing out loud about the things I cried about secretly every night.
This sounds melodramatic but it’s a happy memory, liberating and optimistically promising.
Wow, thank you for sharing your personal experience with the song! It's such a lovely sentiment in the lyrics.
Heart don’t fail me now
Courage don’t desert me
Don’t turn back now that we’re here
People always say
Life is full of choices
No one ever mentions fear
Or how the world can seem so vast
On this journey
To the past
I get you. The way she sang those three words, especially when she waves goodbye to the family on the wayside, always kill me inside, because I lost my dad when I was 12. It's the simplicity of the melody and the sweet voice that just makes it so... I don't know. It's like you said, something so simple and yet wonderful and true. the deepest wish in a person's soul... damn. I am gonna tear up now...
@@2Ten1RyuHey Anne, I’m so sorry for your loss. I may not know the feeling of losing a loving parent at this young age, but I am certain your father’s loving memory will last forever because of you Luv, *LET’S CHERISH IT* ...
P.s: I’m still mad at you ;@ Now I’m torn between being honored or feeling awful for writing this extremely raw comment -just read it again & whoa, girl! that’s dark XD- I love the fact it made us both share this beautiful moment & the bittersweet feeling about our memorable childhood/s YET I hate that it made you tearful. This why I’m trying HARD to sound extra cheery in this messy reply 🤡😂🤦🏼♀️
I blame you for my corniness/awkwardness ✍🏾👿 [JK!]
My apologies I should’ve been more considerate of my words & I promise to do better from now on. Please read this with a #Smile, imagine me hugging you...
@@R.A.A. No need to apologize at all. If I was a bit sad, that totally okay, because these feelings come from love, and they need to be felt. I hope I will always be able to shed some tears for my father, in fact, I make it my ritual on the anniversary of his death. Yes, it is bittersweet. Such is life. And it's never your job to manage other people's emotions, so please don't worry. We can both focus on the nice and vulnerable moment we shared. There was nothing dark, just human connection :)
This movie came out right after the Anna Anderson, the Anatasia imposter and while Anatasia death was still a mystery until the 2000s.
CONGRATULATIONS, The Trove, for this video.
In my opinion, simply the best video analyzing 1997's Fox Anastasia.
For me, this Fox animated film is one of the best of all time and so remarkable and fine than many Disney classics. Both animation and voice cast are STELLAR.
Not mention the soundtrack is unique, a piece of art apart.
I particularly love "Anastasia"!!!
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
Once Upon A December is a beautiful waltz. It definitely gives the movie a different flavor than the pop-inspired insipid narrative songs that fire off most Disney second acts. It's a song that grounds the story in the history, both in its subject matter and in a more classical musical style. Journey To The Past might be the headliner, but 'December carries the flavor of the film better.
During the year 1997, 20th Centaury Fox made two films.
Titanic that was a Live Action film.
Anastasia that was a Animated film.
Both have tragic histories around the 1910s.
And also the really bad Titantic animated movies that came later ripped both movies off (the one with the rapping dog).
I never believed Anastasia was a Disney And I was so shocked when I discoverd that everyone tought Anastasia was a Disney ! It was so obvious to me that it wasn't. We never saw a Disney trailer of anastasia in any Disney VHS/DVD. They're is no Disney logo on the Anastasia poster, the movie begin with the 20th century fox logo (when I see this logo, I automatically think of Anastasia. And I Always found that this logo fitted the aesthectic of the movie visually And musically.
And for the movie point of view, I Always found that the aesthectic of the movie was totally different than Disney ! The colors are less bright And saturated. The background And the clothes are more realistic And historically accurate(Disney never do this actually. When they draw a background or a costume, they Always change the original And use their imagination to create their own world. Agrabah f.e. is clearly a mixmatch of every east-asian And north African countries)) . The lines are less round And more sharp. Pucca The dog doesn't talk, doesn't try to be funny or cute. He is cute but he's not cute to entertain children. Pooca act like a Real dog And not as a sidekick. As a Child, Disney with animals Always annoyed me but pooca never did.
And all the thing I said are the reason why I loved Anastasia as a Child. Because it had all the quality of a Disney movie but on it's own way And it's more realistic And mature approach while beeing really dreamy!
When I was a todler, it was my favorite movie without understanding the plot ! Then I gave the VHS to a Friend who never gave me back And I didn't watch this movie for ten years until I watched it again. And I was like Anastasia, finding all my memories back while watching this movie And this movie is still m'y favorite movie And also the reason why I learned animation in university!
"And as long as Disney doesn't start presenting Anastasia as a member of their Disney princess line-up..."
Given the popularity of this film and knowing what the company is like today, his wishes are not going to be respected for very long. Just you watch, it's only a matter of time.
They did the first step by making a pin and a mug to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the film.
me seeing this upload "OH SHITTTTT" This along with The Little Mermaid were literally my childhood obsessions and I'm so glad you're covering this!
Great taste!!
“In the dark of the night” might not be a full song, but there’s a lovely callback to the melody in the track, “stay I pray you” and that warmed my heart greatly when I heard it the first time
I love Disney movies just as much as anyone, but my most favorite movies are Anastasia and All dogs go to heaven. Absolute masterpieces. I didn't know they were made by the same person, until this video, but it's no surprise! I even had them on VHS.
Those and also The Secret of NIMH, Thumbalina, and the intro to The Pebble and the Penguin. And I also enjoy Rock-a-Doodle and A Troll In Central Park.
@@princesspikachu3915 you just taught me that thumbalina isn't Disney
It makes me so happy to hear someone express such a love for this movie. Honestly, much as I love Beauty and the Beast especially, if I had to pick between all the movies I would actually take Anastasia over most of the Renaissance ones because it truly is such a gem. I think the all-around depth and realism makes it so much more human and believable. The grittiness of the animation as well as bits of what's happening in some of the scenes brings a richness that just isn't found in the Disney films. The banter and fun dialogue, the cultures and settings...it feels real! It's unfiltered. It's charming and romantic in a real-life sense, and both of the main characters really learn and evolve. The secondary characters have history and heart beyond what we typically see. And yeah, man, I just LOVE the songs and the score! As for the credits, many pop-version songs are just not for me, but especially when this movie first came out, I was living for all three of them, haha! I definitely annoyed my brother by listening to the soundtrack on the family stereo speakers all the time 😅 (he later did come around and also loves the movie) and I still do listen to it sometimes.
It's so special and I will never get tired of it's beauty and nostalgia. Thanks for the history and the breakdown of what makes this film such a treasure. Now I need to watch it again!
Thanks very much for the nice comment and sharing why you love Anastasia!
Anastasia was the very first film I saw in cinemas so it holds a very special place in my heart. It is one of my fave Don Bluth Films along with The Land Before Time and An American Tail. With Disney owning the rights to the Movie, I would love to see it in Kingdom hearts.
Such a beautiful video! I also absolutely adore Anastasia and I think it's better than some of Disney's films! Thank you for your incredible work on your videos; you're one of my favorite Disney TH-camrs. You should talk about more non-Disney animated films :)
You mean more 20th Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky movies.
Also, calling Anastasia “non-Disney” is outdated because Disney owns it.
Thank you so much, I appreciate it! I'll definitely consider covering more non-Disney animated films in the future!
@@thetroveyoutube Focus more on Fox. Why can’t you consider Fox movies Disney? That’s like not considering Pixar movies Disney.
@@thetroveyoutube You should focus on 20th Century Fox animated films like Ice Age, Rio, The Book of Life, Robots, Horton Hears a Who, Epic, The Peanuts Movie, Ferdinand, Spies in Disguise and Ron’s Gone Wrong.
the stage musical, while omitting rasputin, does actually reincorporate some of the melody from in the dark of the night. the song "stay, i pray you" takes the melody of the bridge and incorporates it heavily. it's a neat twist, especially considering one is an evil villain song and the other is a melancholic goodbye to one's homeland, but the melody fits both songs in its own way.
It’s like having a Sleeping Beauty remake without Maleficent
Song of the Sea is one of my favorite non Disney animated movies, the artstyle and story are both amazing!
In the Anastasia musical, they did put a musical homage to "In the Dark of the Night". The bridge of the villain song (Come my minions, rise for your master, let your evil shine, find her now, yes fly even faster) is used in the song "Stay, I Pray You", with a few chord adjustments to evoke sad nostalgia instead of evil villain.
You know the song or number "Learn to do it" actually sounds a little ironically like the Soviet Communist Russian happy-go-lucky optimistic Mass Marches that were mostly written by Issac Dunayevsky (1900-1955) in movies, comic operas and possibly May day parades that dominated Soviet Stalinist era culture before World War II.
oh does it? that's interesting
@@thetroveyoutube Well you should hear the similarities of how "Learn to do it" sound like confident Communist optimistic Soviet marches, like Stalin's sports football march, Song about the Motherland: th-cam.com/video/BotX2p6OA8U/w-d-xo.html
I love many of Don Bluth’s works. My favorites would be Land Before Time, ADGTH, Anastasia, and Titan AE.
Anastasia, the Lion King and Mulan were the animations I watched constantly. Thumbalina was also in the top five and something I really thought about constantly. And it was for the reason that they were just visually beautiful animations.
This is definetly a great video and i appreciate you talking about this Movie since it was a huge part of my Childhood. I am also wondering if you might be able to make a video dedicated to the Movie The Swan Princess and a video on Quest for Camelot since they are also very memorable non disney Movies from my Childhood and are also very Disney-like. Anyways great Video I loved it.
Thanks! I'd definitely consider making videos on other non-Disney animated films in the future! I loved The Swan Princess growing up.
@@thetroveyoutube You should only focus on 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky
I spoke on the phone with one of the animators that worked with Don during the 90's. He had so much to say about the production hell s that went on with multiple Fox Studios feature films it wasn't that funny. Don fought tooth and nail with the executives on certain creative choices and directions with many of the projects. Did you know that Ice Age was supposed to be produced by Don's studio and Blue Sky was working on Titan A.E. until the Fox executives handed Ice Age to Blue Sky and Don's studio had to scramble their butts off to finish Titan A.E. within the two year deadline they were given? So many overtime hours were poured into creating that movie.
That's cool you were able to speak to one of the animators! I didn't know this info, it's quite interesting but it's sad that things turned out the way they did.
@@thetroveyoutube I would share his name but I am unsure if he would appreciate it. I would have to speak with him about it. I consider him a mentor and he is still active in the industry. He has even worked on both seasons of Green Eggs and Ham.
@@ultimattprime2861 That's awesome, I understand respecting his privacy!
6:26 it was a good thing did because not every animated movie has to be Disney, can anyone else have their own take on it like Jeffery Katzenberg did the same thing because he was denied a promotion and he created the villain in the first Shrek movie out of spite.
I had no idea Don Bluth was responsible for so many of my favorite childhood films. He really did a great job of emulating the best aspects of Disney films that Walt himself established, but doing so in a unique way that never felt like a direct copy. I also love the historical references and allusions peppered throughout his filmography. An American Tail and Anastasia both made me cry and I still get chills every time I hear “Once Upon A December” and still bawl my eyes out whenever Fievel falls off the boat. I believe that Don Bluth more than anyone at Disney was responsible for kickstarting the Renaissance because they never would’ve listened or given a chance to someone like Howard Ashman if it weren’t because they were threatened by Bluth.
Anastasia is a iconic film, once you watched it you can't get enough to it especially Once upon december which give me chills whenever i listened to the song.
Anastasia replicating that distinct Disney renaissance style successfully, is really interesting to juxtapose it with a film that spectacularly failed to do so and that’s ‘Cool World’ except in that films case they were trying to capitalise off of the success of ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’, it’s such an interesting story the production of that film as director Ralph Bakshi had a clear vision for the original film but the studio totally ruined it (one of the most egregious example of studio interference making a film worse)
If you ever get the time, a video about ‘Cool World’ could be really interesting to watch as there aren’t many analysis videos on it
i remember watching this when i was little and once upon a december kinda spooked me. still remember it to this day though, and its pretty nostalgic to me.
Love this film so much
I´m so grateful that I found your channel. Listening to you talk about one of my favorite films ever just made my month. Thank you and keep it up!
That means a lot, thank you!!
Im glad this film is getting more recognition as the years go on, and all of us who grew up with it can now run film analysis channels 😂❤
Don Bluth = LOVE
The Secret of NIMH was always my favorite animated film as a kid, beating out any number of the best that Disney had to offer (which is saying a LOT, given my adoration of Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jungle Book, and so on). I still have my VERY worn VHS tape to this day. What a trip it was to come back to NIMH as an adult--the film is just as special & wondrous as it was decades ago, and wowzers I couldn't have realized as a kid just how dark the story actually was. NIMH will always be a precious treasure and a pinnacle of traditional animation--it never fails to blow my mind knowing that every moment you watch is hand-animated, a true labor of love. (The climax scene where Mrs. Brisby raises the house is unreal.) It's a film that stands the test of time in all regards, from the story to the impeccably-crafted animation to the music to the overall messages & themes.
Don Bluth leaving Disney and striking out on his own may very well have been one of the best things to happen to my childhood.
The shadows, the animation, the fine detail, the sunrise vibe before the song "If You Can Learn To Do It", the lyrics and music, the whole story, just made this movie magical ✨
The detail in the animation is really so impressive.
@@thetroveyoutubeAbsolutely, it is incomparable!!!
As in from most of the 1930's up until Hitler's massive invasion in June of 1941. St. Flaherty's and F. Ahren's "Learn to do it" could also unintentionally sound like any confident Komsomol or Pioneer (Soviet Communist Youth Scout levels) marching songs back in the day of which I heard some, or maybe going back to the Russian Civil War era of 1918-22.
Surprised you didn’t mention how Angela Lansbury is in both Anastasia and Beauty and the Beast
You're right, that's another connection!
I love Anastasia, for my high school senior year prom I wore a dress inspired by her her navy blue ballet ballgown dress
I did feel that this movie did give the ✨ Disney Magic ✨ but now I can see why, thx for this video!!! keep up the good work
Thanks!!
I know full well Dreamwork’s Prince of Egypt is a full blown renaissance movie
Loved your video! Anastasia will always be one of my favourites. Something I noticed in the video: correct me if I am wrong, but I think that the trend of having pop artists sing title tracks over credits started with Bluth’s An American Tail. I know pop artists sang ‘somewhere out there’ but maybe not over the over the credits? Which then would make Beauty and the Beast the first movie to do that.
Actually I think you’re right, my mistake! Thanks!
I share a lot of your sentiments. And didn't know the history of the film. Thanks for the video! I love Rasputin, how dare they cut him our of it in the Musical. It's delightful.
Once Upon a December is on my top 100 list of songs and it will never leave, and let's be honest it's probably somewhere in the top 25.
My sisters name is Anastassia, and mine pronounced in Gaelic is Anya. We loved this movie, its peak childhood, banger soundtrack, and who doesn't love Bartok or Puka?!?! Or the 1920s French Les Années Folles?? The Golden Era? So many references to art, culture, music. What a great film. And brilliantly voiced too.
Anastasia has always been one of my favorite animated films.
Thank you for this (and all) breakdown of such a CLASSIC film. I agree whole hearted with all of your points.
I wish I could think of a protagonist who got two main song equal to Anastasia, but you are correct I think that it's only her. Some Protagonist's get the solo and then the duet with the lead, and most get the kitschy fun song. Perhaps "Enchanted"? Are her songs 2 main story songs or are they plot moving songs like the ones from Beauty and the Beast.
One side note on Rasputin's solo and the Broadway musical: Because I love the soundtrack as dearly as you do. You can catch a hint of Rasputin's solo from the movie in the stage musical with "Stay, I pray you" If you listen to the track 30 seconds in.... I believe that is definitely "Dark of the Night". i thought it was clever given the whole re-writing him out. (Gosh I love Bartok)
Thanks again!
I'm not super into the musical numbers for any of the Disney movies, or musical numbers in general, but Anastasia got me humming AAAAAALLLLLLLLL the songs! Absolutely banger music only maybe challenged by the darker Hunchback tracks IMO.
Titan A.E. was one of my favorites growing up.
I’d argue that Once Upon a December is the song that holds up the best and is the most popular to this day.
That's fair! It's such a magical song and is pretty unique.
18:20 WRONG! It began with Linda Ronstadt & James Ingram in An American Tail “Somewhere Out There”.
I think in your last video, you asked what Disney song vibed with you as a kid? I think Reflection fits that, but almost every song from Anastasia was something that stuck with and I sung to myself far more then any Disney song. I LOVED this movie growing up. Once Upon A December and In The Dark Of The Night being my favorites. And I still remember watching it in theaters.
As a kid, I loved the plot, the spunky Ana, the romance, the MUSIC
When I was in elementary school I used to play with a classmate and we usually played Disney's characters...I was Simba and she was Nala(and later I was Kovu and she was Kiara),I was Aladdin and she was Jasmine,I was Derek and she was Odette,I was Dimitri and she was Anastasia(for real,since that's her actual name!X-D)...it took me *YEARS* or maybe *DECADES* to find out the last 2 movies weren't Disney(same for"Thumbelina")and,to this days,I still consider them as if they are,EXPECIALLY "Anastasia"...that movie has *EVERYTHING* from Disney:the drawing style,the types of characters(Princess,Prince,Villain,who looks very similar to Jafar IMO,sidekicks for both the main character _and_ the Villain),songs,the people who made it who _LITERALLY_ used to work for Disney...literally the *ONLY* thing of this movie that isn't Disney is THE LOGO and now that Disney owns 20th Century Fox _technically_ I CAN call"Anastasia"a Disney movie and Anastasia a Disney Princess *AND I DON'T WANNA HEAR ANYBODY CONTRADICTING ME!!!>^
I love this movie so much, it must be one of my most rewatched movies!
Great video. Question: at 20:33 Is there a reason Kayley from 'Quest for Camelot' is up there? Cause she is neither Disney nor a princess.
I found that image online so I'm not sure why she's in there, it's a bit random haha
@@thetroveyoutube I see.
@@thetroveyoutube there's even concept art of her welding a sword
@@thetroveyoutube sadly the film suffered from executive meddling as it was supposed to be pg 13 bill kroyer the director of ferngully the last rainforest intended to make a faithful adaption of the book it was based on the king's damosel.
Titan AE... which also involved the work of Joss Whedon...who later went on to do his own show about "HUMAN BEINGS IN A POST-EARTH SETTING"
which Fox also killed just like they did Titan AE.... through their own incompetence (or malice?)
I loved that film, my brother took me to see it in theaters and he actually enjoyed it too. Amazing soundtrack too, LIT, THE URGE... the song from the Wake Angels scene is gorgeous "ITS MY TURN TO FLY" ... long live Planet Bob. (naming it Bob had my big brother in stitches)
Really enjoyed this dissection of Anastasia! Yes its not hard to see why a lot of people confused her as a Disney movie. I actually had a doll of her when I went to the ER as a kid, despite I didn’t get to watch it until I was older (like many Disney films) I would have to say Anastasia probably beats several of the Disney Renaissance movies for me. I really love Anya’s feisty and hardstrong character, and her relationship with Dmitri is one of the most realistic portrayals of a relationship, with them constantly getting on each other’s nerves at first, but eventually do fall in love. I also really love how Dmitri realized she was actually the great grand Duchess and thought it’d be better to let her be a princess especially with him basically using her the entire time. I do love how he declined the rubles and was going back to Russia, but of course Anya after defeating Rasputin chose to be a commoner with Dmitri over a princess with her beloved grandmama. My personal favorite song would probably be Once Upon a December, I just love the animation with her seemingly at a royal ball with her family again, not to mention its the song in the music box that no matter where she is, she has family who will always love her.
I do agree with you comparing it to Pocahontas doing historical fiction and how it didn’t do so hot. Part of it is Anya was a European princess, while Pocahontas was a POC, and sadly even today those of Indigenous descent suffer. I think what also helped in Anya’s favor is they only talked briefly about the Romanovs and not necessarily how Nicolas II actually was or Alexandra’s relationship with Rasputin. I feel Dmitri, Vlad and Sophie helped make it clear it wasn’t truly based on the real story, and it took inspiration from real conmen who tried tricking their way into the Romanov fortune. I think Anya’s anesthesia was inspired by Anna Anderson, a Polish woman who was almost officially declared as the long lost grand Duchess, considering she couldn’t remember who she was and resembled Anya in so many ways. While unfortunately Pocahontas took the names and pretzel twisted it into a sick show.
My personal favorite outfit is a tie between her navy blue ballet dress and her grand Duchess outfit (long sleeves) also she made a ratty trenchcoat look sexy. I also did appreciate Anya and Dmitri also had more realistic bodies similar to Pocahontas.
I thought Don Bluth also did Black Cauldron and the Swan Princess? Maybe a video on those?
Need some video suggestions: Disney kisses, worst sequels, and love songs
Thanks for the thoughtful comment and suggestions! I didn't know about Anna Anderson, that's really interesting. Disney actually made The Black Cauldron, but I totally get not thinking its Disney because it's so dark and doesn't feel like any other Disney movie. The Swan Princess was distributed by New Line Cinema/Columbia International.
@@thetroveyoutubeDon Bluth still wrote the Swan Princess and Thumbelina, they’re just under different titles as the studio creators. I didn’t say I didn’t think the Black Cauldron wasn’t Disney. I said Don Bluth made it, when he was still employed by Walt Disney Studios. After the disastrous failure of that movie, he ended up leaving because he thought Disney would go bankrupt and close, considering the movie actually almost ended the studio because of how much of a financial disaster it was, similar to Sleeping Beauty. Perhaps if it got a live action remake more people would appreciate it more, despite I’m not really a fan. Anastasia is still easily the best movie Don Bluth created and its so similar to how the Renaissance movies were created. But I do appreciate how much inspiration they used from the real Anastasia, the photo, her swimsuit, her clothes and even her design if she was a teen. I feel what worked in Anya’s favor for the historical accuracy argument which Pocahontas unfortunately suffers from is the fact the movie didn’t really touch on her real story, considering how her royal life actually was, including the Bolsheviks overthrowing the royal family and assassinating them because of how much the Russians struggled. But ultimately, Anya’s legacy of being alive was a symbol of hope during such a dark time, especially with WWII. While Pocahontas’s real story is sadly a super dark reality and never truly had a chance to be a great movie because of how horrifying her story actually is. Another video suggestion is maybe which movie is your favorite of the 3D movies (Tangled, Frozen, Moana, etc)
I actually miss animations like this unlike today realistic animation catoons or movies
I thought the whole movie music being re-sung by popular singers started with American Tail. I thought "Somewhere Out There" was played at the end of credit but sang by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram.
Also great video. I love it.
You're correct, I was mistaken when I said it started with Beauty and the Beast. Thank you!
18:00 that song is similar to “At last I see the light” as sung by Eugene specifically.
Damn you deserve more followers. I love your take on Movies, its not just some bla bla inspired by a political agenda, like some others youtube channels, its a genuine analysis. So refreshing.
Though Anastasia is not as good of a film as I remember as it vilifies the Russian revolution in a pretty black and white light, albeit I have to thank it was very superficially exposed and not as relevant to the plot as Rasputin, because expanding more on that would just add insult to injury. But the sole reason I got hooked with the movie and that will always make me respect it it's Once upon a December. It has everything!!! it's elegant and beautiful and the storming chorus serving as support for Annya in the climax is so majestic and epic it gave me goosebumps and to this day it doesn't matter how many times I have already heard it, it still hits me, it's a master piece. As you say it's a very unique song and I would say among movie songs.
Hands down, my favorite Don Bluth movie is Secret of NIMH. Other great animated films are the Prince of Egypt, Princess Mononoke, Wolf Children, and pretty much every single film Cartoon Saloon has put out.
Rasputin was really scary villain and up there with almost any Disney Villain.
More common with the Horned King from the Black Caldron but more memorable due to his musical number.
how could I have never recognized Kiara's singing voice...
"In a perfect world...one we've never known... we would never need to face the world alone. They can have their world, we'll create our own. I may not be brave or strong or smart, but somewhere in my secret heart I know... Love will find a way. Anywhere I go, I'm home... if you are there beside me. Like dark, turning into day, somehow we'll come through, now that I've found you I know....love...will...find...a...way~~~" (I'm not crying, you're crying!)
Man, I really want Anastasia to be part of the Disney Princess line-up. She could have been in Ralph Breaks the Internet, or be part of the neat Disney Princess marketing that's going on since 2021, where the princess are now allowed to interact with one another in their promotional material.
Anastasia being part of the Disney Princesses is still a possibility
Ralph Breaks the Internet was released before the Fox acquisition was finalized. Disney didn’t own the rights to her yet at the time RBTI was originally released. Maybe they could do what George Lucas did the same year Anastasia came out and make a Special Edition of RBTI that includes all the popular 20th Century Fox characters and franchises, including Anastasia, Ice Age, Rio, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and a whole lot more
If I was Don Bluth, I would just be completely happy with Disney's ownership of Anastasia and be happy with Disney including her in the Disney Princesses.
The magic never came from Disney. The magic came from the animators; who, by coincidence worked for Disney.
Well you didn't make it so you don't get to say he should let Disney take credit & profit from it.
Love the Don Bluth films.
My favourites are the Land before time..Thumberlina and Anastasia.
Does anyone remember the Anastasia knock off where all her family got turned into furniture? I was obsessed with it and I’m not sure if it was a fever dream or not
I've never hear of that!
The family was turned into enchanted musical instruments.
It's called _The Secret of Anastasia_ and is available to watch for free on TH-cam:
th-cam.com/video/2e7t_jUt8sY/w-d-xo.html
The film leaves much to be desired, but the song "In the Sun" is pretty good, IMO.
@@musicaltheatergeek79 Thanks!