Once upon a time there was Anastasia… Do you know the true story that inspired the movie?

“I seem to remember the games we invented together. I find the fire of my memories in a smile…”. If you know these words, then you have probably already seen Anastasia. Released in 1997, this animated film (which is not Disney, contrary to popular belief) takes us to St. Petersburg in 1917.

Empress Marie and her granddaughter Anastasia are rescued from the revolution-induced misfortune that befalls the imperial family by a young kitchen worker, Dimitri. But fate separates them once again. Ten years after the fall of the Romanovs, a persistent rumor has spread: the emperor’s youngest daughter may still be alive…

Inspired by a true story

The screenwriters were inspired to write it by the play Anastasia, which is based on the story of a certain Anna Anderson, a young girl who pretended to be the only survivor of the assassination of the Russian imperial family in 1917. For years, the country has been divided over the question: Is she a usurper or a real duchess?

That’s the question we’re trying to answer in this new episode of our ‘It’s a True Story’ podcast, which explores the real and lesser-known stories behind your favorite movies and series. You will see that in the case of Anna, the achievements of science in the late 90s and the participation of a certain Prince Philip made it possible to close this chapter in the history of Russia. Even today, Anastasia remains at the center of many theories…