Anastasia is Underrated

Once upon a December...
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Channel Logo drawn by Dad
Special Thanks to Elizabeth for suggesting this movie!
As always, thank you Morgan for mixing my audio!
Sources:
Somewhere Out There - My Animated Life by Don Bluth
Behind the Scenes Material of Anastasia
Marge Champion Video from KZbin Channel AXELMALIBU
Article on The Romanov Murders:
www.history.com/news/romanov-...
Music Provided by Epidemic Sound
Thank you so much for watching my videos.

[@megatrashlord235]

I'm gonna say it... Once upon a December is one of my favourite songs I've ever heard, and I'm sick of pretending it's not

[@jes6427]

I cant tell u how many of these types of songs I have downloaded and will roll down the street jamming to them on blast 😂😂😂

[@Tollkirschenkind]

Initially when I envisioned a bigger wedding than I do now, I always wanted it to be the song for the first dance. When I get married I wanna have a really small wedding which probably won't have a dance, so I'm looking for other ways to incorporate the song, because it's so magical

[@Jbcollette]

Mine’s Journey to the Past! It’s so hopeful and always puts me in a positive mindset.

[@16taysia]

Same, I 🩷 it so much!! 😊

[@alexism9905]

I actually sing it to my son to help him sleep. Works like a charm.

[@leadingblind1629]

"In the dark of the night " had NO RIGHT to be such a banger. I had the soundtrack on cassette for a long time before finally seeing the film.

[@DavidBContentExtravaganza3967]

It does have a right. It's so cool.

[@AriannaGi]

And the song they used the music from in the dark of the night in the Broadway musical is so beautiful and heartbreaking

[@seanelsays]

I just want it to be known that I was the 100th like on this comment……..what do I win.? Lmao 🤣 jp you’re so right tho. 💕

[@thelittlemoonling]

😂😂😂truth

[@Mackmicheals]

What an experience

[@jaxonscalisi6616]

Considering how you feel about Rasputin in the story, you may enjoy the stage musical of Anastasia. It removes Rasputin and the fantasy elements entirely

[@vetarlittorf1807]

I mean, it's a Don Bluth movie. Dark fantasy elements are kinda expected.

[@the-ma-an]

They also make Anya a lot more vulnerable and unsure of herself in the musical, which is a change I prefer tbh

[@AriannaGi]

Yes Gleb was a very real enemy 👌🏻

[@ahj_153]

What!! Is there a pro shot for the musical?

[@liz_loves_cats]

​​@@the-ma-anfor me I like that she felt so rejected by her world that she became self-assured. Anya was very vulnerable at so many points in the movie. The song Learn To Do It was literally a speed run of her being vulnerable and gaining confidence. Her rejection of Dimitri was also her gaining confidence. Like idk it's probably something I am misunderstanding

[@hannahbrennan2131]

While I agree that the story would have worked better without Rasputin, but I'm glad he was included. In The Dark Of The Night is one of the most banging villain songs ever.

[@ladymacbethofmtensk896]

Given that at the time, there were many White emigrés throughout Europe just hoping against hope that someone from the Imperial Family survived, and that many of them blamed Rasputin entirely for the whole Revolution, it makes sense.

[@mr.j3rs3y]

It’s such a good song!

[@iso-didact789]

@@mr.j3rs3y Frollo: Hellfire, dark fire, now gypsy it's your turn. Rasputin (simultaneously): Come my minions rise for your master, let your evil shine. Frollo: Choose me or your pyre. Rasputin (simultaneously) Find her now yes fly ever faster. Rasputin and Frollo: But she will be mine or she... will... burn!

[@mr.j3rs3y]

@@iso-didact789😩👌❤🎶

[@virgovirtuoso]

Anastasia was and is still my favorite movie growing up. The way the ghost glided off the paintings and glittered like morning frost put me in awe as a little girl, I am still enamored by the colors of the sisters dresses today. Peach, pink, and lilac make yellow or blue a reasonable 4th color in this pattern, but the yellow is so stark and the blue too cold and together they make Anya a sore thumb in her own imagined lost future. All these colors are again repeated in the dream when she was almost tricked into going overboard with more emphasis on the blue that her and her little brother are wearing, but her yellow has faded to a cream nearing stark white. Anya starts the movie in blue with her grandma and as she finds herself as a women, finds her yellow. i don't fully know what i mean by that, but i vibe with it.

[@goldberry_riverdaughter]

I absolutely loved your analysis. Watching Anastasia as an adult, I agree that the fantasy/Rasputin plotline feels disconnected and the story would be just as strong without it. However, as a child, that plotline fascinated me, and I think it's because the fantasy elements communicate the darkness in the story on a visual and psychological level. Those scenes feel more like dreams to me, ones where Anya is working out the violence of her past that's still haunting and terrorizing her - I think the sleepwaking scene on the boat really speaks to this. The demons and ghosts are metaphors for danger and loss, and Rasputin being undead is like the trauma that has ended but is still alive in her psyche. It's fitting that, at the end, she needs to enter her unconscious dreamworld and confront him, taking her power back, before she can move on to the life she chooses for herself. The fact that Dimitri acts as a support for her in several of these scenes adds some depth to their romance, too. If this movie was more for adults, these themes could be handled more subtly, but as it's not, I think the dark fantasy elements (in addition to the songs) add emotional layers. It's like the dark velvet background that sets off all the gold and jewels. Anyway, I love Anastasia! Thank you for the great video that gives it the thoughtful attention it deserves.

[@goldenphantom2259]

I remember the very first time I watched Anastasia as a kid. My naïve little mind had no knowledge of Russian history at the time so I thought the movie was a strange spinoff of Cinderella since one of her stepsisters is named Anastasia😂

[@wareforcoin5780]

That wasn't even a stepsister, just her regular sister.

[@lainiwakura1776]

@@wareforcoin5780 It's her step-sister. Her and Drizella were Lady Tremaine's daughters from a previous marriage.

[@sweeety969]

Ironically I'm pretty sure there actually was a spinoff about Anastasia 😂

[@aliyahmarin7440]

It doesn't help that they are both redheads too haha

[@satinsleeves]

About what you're saying at around 24:00 about Rasputin not leaving Limbo... I think the movie makes it pretty obvious that he couldn't leave because he didn't have the green glass thing. That's where his powers come from, and he only got it when he and Bartok reunite. So no, he couldn't have just left Limbo whenever. Also, he lost track of Anastasia just like the rest of the world did. He wasn't all-powerful and didn't know who/where she was until she started to remember herself.

[@vonsowards1297]

Now that Disney owns Fox I love telling people that Anastasia is my favorite Disney Princess. The Disney diehards have spent their whole lives correcting people who assume any animated movie is a Disney film, and now they have to justify it is not

[@thesamuraihobbit]

Forget the history, how the hell did Anya manage to gather such long thick hair into that tiny bun?

[@BrokensoulRider]

Easily. Twirl-and-spin.

[@matteomarrucci9052]

Her hair was never short, it was simply twisted in a kind of bun that made it look short

[@BrokensoulRider]

Re-read it. They want to know how she did that. Like I said. Twirrl, spin, and wrap. I do it all the time with my hair. @@matteomarrucci9052

[@BeckyEnchanted]

That's what I was thinking. I thought I was the only one. Thank you for validating me. Lol.

[@daninicole7358]

as an adopted kid, this movie was always so important to me growing up. It makes me so emotional to this day

[@CordeliaWagner1999]

Anastasia wasn't adopted.

[@daninicole7358]

@@CordeliaWagner1999 oh no shit? 🙄 I was connecting with her not knowing anything about her family for most of her life, but good job being a pedantic twat

[@billbill6576]

@@CordeliaWagner1999she was an orphan, door knob.

[@BrokensoulRider]

That's not the point. The point was how an orphan, as adopted children are still in a way orphans, found her true family.@@CordeliaWagner1999

[@damefame8921]

@@CordeliaWagner1999But she didn’t have her parents growing up and was raised in an orphanage Are you incapable of seeing the similarities of the two? Both wondering who their parents were and where their origin lies?

[@emilyrln]

Speaking of Kelsey Grammer's musical chops, what about the song he sings on the boat when Anya and Dimitri are dancing??? It's so sweet, and I love that he realizes what's going on between them before they do!

[@alexisespinoza4566]

That one is truly so underrated.

[@crumdogy]

I had no idea about Carrie Fischer’s contribution or the accompanying live-action production. Great video, even despite the diss on Rumor in St. Petersburg lol. That song has the power to make me wanna dance like few others do.

[@virgovirtuoso]

I love how the volume goes from H A V E Y O U H E A R D into little whispers and it goes to show ya gossip will always get you through a hard work day

[@heathergarnham9555]

Honestly it makes sense that she would be great at writing dialogue, she had to deal with George's terrible dialogue.

[@h2o2630]

Anastasia and Mulan are my two most favorite movies ever, they always make me cry. Once I hear the first seconds of Once Upon A December I start crying 😂

[@tacocat9844]

I LOVE YOU!!! mulan is my number one favorite animated movie, and anastasia is my second. both these movies are just so incredible and you have great taste

[@chihirosky231]

Since you mention The Prince of Egypt, I would love for you to talk about it.

[@kenna396]

PLEASE look into the broadway musical version of anastasia!! it focuses a little more on the actual history, showing more of the romanov family, and it replaces rasputin with a general named gleb. gleb’s dad was involved in the murders of the royal family and he follows anastasia to kill her and finish what his dad started. glebs songs are also impeccable

[@abbythompson7527]

I honestly feel like the musical’s story is better than the movie. It maintains all of the wonderful things from the movie but by the antagonist being Gleb rather than Rasputin it’s tied into the main story. It creates really wonderful tension that just wasn’t there in the movie. Also Stay, I Pray You is stunning and one of my favorite songs from the show.

[@merivial8661]

The Anastasia musical might not be the best musical talking about technique, songs or staging (tbh Hadestown is the best in every way), but it's great about how it improved its source material. As a future historian (and obsessed with Russian history since 2019), I appreciate a LOT all of the little easter eggs referencing real historical events. Even though Rasputin is a great villain in the movie, it's kind of wacky when you think about the Romanov family as real people, and how his religious role played in their downfall. Gleb is way scarier because he's real. The musical presents communism in a more realistic way-in the movie we only see misery, but in the musical we see the view from the high officials as well. That last song before the finale (still/the neva flows reprise). chills. fr. the family right behind Gleb and Anya, the harmonies, the acting... still pissed off about how it wasn't appreciated on its run on Broadway. Christy Altomare, Derek Klena and Ramin Karimloo were BRILLIANT.

[@brunapontes5149]

The visuals? Perfect. Character development? Great. Soundtrack? Simply the best

[@mario-mario822]

I had a smile on my face this whole video. The memory of seeing this as a kid with my late father in theaters is a treasure of my heart I'll never let go. Remembering seeing those burger king commercials and trailers on foxkids constantly really make it seem like the fantasy helped bring in a bigger box office success.The voice lines of Bartok catching Rasputin's eye "woah that just fell right out there sir." " enough with the glowing and the smoke people" lives comfortably in my mind rent free. Thanks for bringing up Prince of Egypt success and the shout out to the wonderful Cats don't dance and Iron Giant. My heart hasn't given up on this 2d style after a film like Klaus and Nimona.

[@jadejewel6586]

My kids had the Burger King Toys. Pooka was their favorite. Squeeze his tummy and his ears flapped.

[@kelseycondray]

⁠@@jadejewel6586I had Pooka! Memories unlocked!

[@shrsthy]

its so sweet that in russian schools EVERYONE still chooses “once upon a december” to dance the waltz on a prom. and in my university too!! i were on a winter ball recently, and i cried along with “once upon a December” playing.

[@thetiniestpirate]

This film has reappeared frequently throughout my life. This animation style is my favourite and I can never get enough of the songs. The sleepwalking scene on the ship has been an early source of comfort for my near lifelong hallucinations and dissociative episodes so I think that's why it's got such a fond feeling for me. Awesome to know other people love it just as much.

[@yueyume9619]

Wow wow, Anastasia was a classic in my household for basically all the reasons you detailed. The characters and cast are charming. The music is amazing (songs and score). The animation and backgrounds are beautiful. I’ve watched this movie many times through childhood to my adulthood, but it wasn’t really until my last rewatch that I noticed how dissonant Rasputin feels to the rest of the story. Doesn’t stop In The Dark Of The Night from being a total banger. In middle school, I even had the title of the song as my password to my school account. My teachers must have thought I was crazy 😂 Side note, you may be interested in looking to the Anastasia stage musical. They completely eradicate Rasputin in favor of a more political style antagonist (who also has some great songs). All the while, they managed to repurpose the melody of In the Dark of the Night for a beautiful cast piece about refugees leaving Russia. I don’t think the musical is AS good as the movie just because I have so much nostalgia tied to it. But it was a lot of fun to see on stage!

[@Dani_77709]

The musical is truly worthy to get looked at. I rewatched it many times.

[@angrycrab5501]

Glebs song Still is playing in my head constantly

[@animeasmey2]

I gotta see the musical now!!!!

[@fakepasta3935]

It feels that they don't make movies like this anymore. Good music, good acting, beautiful romance, beautiful friendship, beautiful animation.

[@RadellasReadingRoom]

I agree we didn't need a third act show-down with Rasputin and I do wish they'd left him trapped in limbo But I adore the sleep-walking sequence on the boat and the implications it has for the amnesia storyline

[@DabbertjeDouwe]

Of all the animated villains known to me, Rasputin is the most cruel, luring his victim into the cold, stormy waters through a dream of warmth and love

[@jaynelly]

My girlfriend recently showed me this movie and I was blown away at how good it was, even more surprised to learn that it wasn't even a Disney princess movie, very impressive

[@koshadummy]

My biggest issue with this movie is that russian nickname for Anastasia isn't Anya but Nastya, bugged me a lot as a kid

[@nastassjahall9358]

I never really thought Anya was supposed to be a nickname for Anastasia within the film tbh, I assumed it was a product of her own hazy memory of past

[@amnicky15]

This was another great video !! Anastasia was such a huge part of my childhood. You truly captured why this movie is so well loved today, even with some of its flaws. Not sure if you wanted some suggestions, but other films I'd love to see you talk about would be Rise of the Guardians, Strange Magic, or Rock and Rule. They're all sorta underappreciated animated films that I'm always curious to hear others' opinions of. Thanks for the great content Mason !!

[@KnottsBear-yTalesPreserved]

Anastasia is the GOAT. One of the Bluth films of my childhood. Right up there with American Tail, All Dogs Go To Heaven, and Land Before Time.

[@thetiniestpirate]

Cats Don't Dance was also an iconic childhood staple for me and my sister, big and loud still comes out on the regular

[@SolRise_yt]

As my dad is italian and has now lived for 30 years in Denmark, the "I'm freezing to death" line hit really close to my scandinavian home 😂

[@TheRealDarrylStrawberry]

Anastasia is the Doctor Zhivago of animated movies.

[@alecdashark1688]

i didn't even remember Rasputin's storyline was a part of the movie. I just remember everything else about it. And i think that speaks to just how memorable this film's main stories and characters are. And i think i've only seen this movie twice? Definitely need to watch it again.

[@animeasmey2]

Ngl rasputin and the bat are some of the more memorable moments as a child just because it was funny. The story didn’t need them but they are FUNNY AS FUCK. “And we’re back to the crushing” or “please sir forget the girl and get a life!” Are quoted a lot amongst my fam

[@Millanno37]

So happy to see someone give some love to this underrated gem!

[@thetiniestpirate]

Deliver Us and the lullaby from Prince Of Egypt get stuck in my head all the time.

[@angcee4855]

As a child Anastasia and Quest for Camelot were the two movies that we constantly would get from the library. If you like Anastasia, I think you would really like Quest for Camelot as well. It also feels sort of like a Disney movie but is definitely a little darker.

[@KJ7JHN]

Im going to add Fern Gully and Princess Mononoke to your list. These stories are epic.

[@Wildcat_Media]

If Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast were my favorite animated movies from when I was a kid, Anastasia is my favorite animated movie from when I was a teenager. It was still that princess-fairy-tale style that I love (even to this day), but it was a little more mature that appealed to the slightly cynical teenager self that I was pretending to be (weren’t we all just a tiny bit pretentious at that age?) Like you said, Anastasia holds up remarkably well and the story is top-notch. It came at just the perfect time, too. Disney’s Renaissance was starting to falter, and that left a good opening for other animation studios to bring out their masterpieces (as you alluded to with Prince of Egypt). We were certainly spoiled for choice back then.

[@Yeodoongiiie]

freaking *LOVE* this movie 💕 the music is literally iconic. the yellow dress. the dance on the boat. the humor. demitri. just demitri 💕 lol first animated crush that's for sure. it's just the most epic adventure with music that sticks with you for life. the last song "at the beginning" is like my go to nostalgia song.

[@Sly-Moose]

I couldn't agree more about Rasputin. When I was a kid, my memories of all the scenes involving Rasputin was me thinking they were part of a completely different movie, not Anastasia.

[@damaracarpenter8316]

This Film along with The Little Mermaid were literally my childhood obsessions. I can't wait to watch your video.

[@DarthSupremeus1020]

I actually know Don Bluth and have had the pleasure of being directed by him on multiple occasions in the nonprofit theatre he founded (Don Bluth Front Row Theatre). I will actually be in the theatre's production of the stage version of Anastasia this year, directed by... Don Bluth himself! It has truly been an honor to know a legend like himself, and I am incredibly grateful that I have had this opporotunity.

[@jonrosell6971]

You skipped the Prologue music with its powerful Russian chorus singing vocals. My favorite music in the whole film! When the chorus explodes into One Upon A December when she's exploring the palace, that's what makes that song my other favorite.

[@abigaylebonham4510]

I love this movie with all my heart but I agree on rasputiion and it’s actually why I enjoy the stage musical. It removes raspution and all the magical elements and replaces him with a much more compelling villain.

[@LucasRodmo]

I do recognize that Rasputin is a weak spot, but o boy I love this character (and his musical act BANGS)

[@TheBabblingBabs]

Bartok the Magnificent is a banger how dare you /j

[@UnseelieFaelass]

I'll update accordingly as the video continues, but I just wanna add this before I forget it. As much as my family riffs on Pocahontas today for just how much it screwed up since Disney was AIMING for accuracy, we still enjoy it for being able to poke fun at it. As for Anastasia, I didn't even find out about even a glimpse of the reality until I read one of those historical drama diary books that one would find in their elementary library. I cannot recall the full name of the book series itself, only that it started as diaries from various female Americans in history. And only later on did worldwide women get spotlights. Anastasia being among them, and through the book I found out what actually happened after everything was said and done. Now I won't comment on how accurate this book series was as I'm not qualified to do so and honestly I was like 11-12 when I read those books. I barely remember them nowadays. I only know they always had stuff detailing bits of the real history that inspired the books at the end of them. So there's that at least.

[@UnseelieFaelass]

Ok it was gonna bug me until I remembered so I went and looked it up. The book series I was thinking of was Dear America to begin with. Then in the 2010s came various spinoffs, including Royal Diaries, which is where the Anastasia one was included.

[@UnseelieFaelass]

Ok to point out the whole Rasputin being one note thing...I can definitely see it. But it doesn't bother me. After all given when this movie came out and the highly nsfw life of this man, yeah I don't think they could work with much of it because...it was mainly a kids film. Albiet with that typical Don Bluth darkness. Hell we don't even see the Romanovs die, just a gunshot that lets us know that yeah, they are being shot to death. Which even as a kid I didn't really pick up on until years later. So I dunno if kids could really understand just what made Rasputin so controversial, even if they tried to pg some of the more 'adult themed' parts of his life and career. Just saying. Hell even I don't know how you'd go about doing that either.

[@UnseelieFaelass]

Finally, yes the soundtrack was always a major highlight for me. I actually sang Once Upon a December as a solo during my time in High School Choir. My nerves were all over the place sadly and my performance despite my best efforts to settle down came off as monotone in many areas. Ack so cringy. Thank god it was only ever recorded for Facebook and never put anywhere else. I don't even know if my Mom even has the video anymore. While I'm still here tho, perhaps you could look into The Last Unicorn some time? Another soundtrack that I grew up mystified by, a story that despite the more mature nature of it kept me enraptured, and FANTASTIC animation for the time it came out. Hell when I finally got around to finishing the novel the movie is based on, I pulled up the final two songs of the film during the final two chapters. Replaying them constantly as well to ensure I could time it just right, as I was imagining the movie as I read, with extra scenes this time around. God was it an emotional roller-coaster of nostalgia. The Last Unicorn will forever be my favorite book and film as long as I live.

[@wareforcoin5780]

Thank god you found that out, it was going to bug me too. I could _see_ the Hawaiian cover with her gorgeous dress in my mind, but I couldn't name them to save my life. I read all of them, I loved them.

[@UnseelieFaelass]

@@wareforcoin5780 You're very welcome. Turns out there was a LOT more spinoffs than I thought. And they're also still making more Dear America books. Calling the series that only because that's where it all started. Some books even got remakes too.

[@GingaGirl2000]

Personally, while I love the movie, I really really really love the stage musical! It does away with the fantastical elements, but keeps a villain, this time a Soviet officer tasked with putting an end to the rumours of one of the Romanov's having survived... I feel like it ties a lot nicer and more naturally into the story. Sadly In The Dark Of The Night is also removed as a consequence, but the melody of the. Bridge? The epic melodic part towards the end of the song, features in a musical original song, Stay, I Pray You, which is a lot more somber and emotional, and which I really love. Adds to the tragedy of the story and time period. I've seen a version of a bootleg recording of it floating somewhere, but i went to see it live here in Finland last year and damn. It was amazing to see and experience live. I recommend checking it out if you've ever the chance! Lovely video :)

[@alexl.7668]

I'm a huge fan of the stage musical!!

[@ispellitjustg]

I love the musical too, and seen that slime tutorial 😉🤐. The only thing I don't like is that they had her remember when she was with Dima instead of her grandmother. I mean, I love In A Crowd of Thousands, don't get me wrong. But her realizing her identity with who she was with, turned it into a romance to me.

[@GingaGirl2000]

@@ispellitjustg That's a good point!

[@emersendraney5297]

i didn't know it was filmed in live action but it makes so much sense. one of my favorite bits of animation like.. ever is the part where anya first meets the guys at the top of those stairs. their movements are so lifelike!! very immersive, 10/10

[@Woarkeswat]

I love that you brought up Cats Don't Dance. Which along with Anastasia were my favorite childhood animated movies. Great video, Mason.

[@animallover6645]

Oh but I love the St Petersburg song but my fav is Once upon a December, so agree with that one.

[@nellymartinezcorona3539]

Anastasia has always been my favorite "princess" movie. I loved it as a kid and I still do as an adult. I even went to see the Broadway musical. I still prefer the movie. Love it so much, I watch it every once in a while

[@tygerinthenight3255]

I think of Rasputin as a sort of symbolic villain. He's not much as far as a direct antagonist, but he represents Anya's character growth throughout the story. In the beginning of the movie Anya is obsessed with discovering her past. Her "I want" song is literally about taking a journey into the past. She believes so strongly that the past is all she needs that she takes risks in pursuit of it. She forgoes the job the orphanage lined up for her. She decides to meet strange men on the advice of a random old lady. She agrees to travel across a continent with them without even seeing the tickets, etc. Rasputin is the villain of her childhood, the one who destroyed her family and ultimately caused her to forget everything. He wants to kill her solely because of her family connection, her name, her father. Her past. He even at one point attacks her with memories of the past. The dream butterfly thing he sends to her on the boat tries to lure her over the edge with memories of her dead and forgotten family. The attempts to kill her at all are the lingering remnants of a past enemy. He is her past, at least part of it, but he lingers as a literal undead corpse that simply refuses to die. When she meets her grandmother, she starts to remember her family, but it doesn't fulfill her like she thought it would, and she doesn't quite understand why. She has her family and history back that is what she wanted, that is what everything has been building toward. When she confronts Rasputin at the end, she is confronting the fact that the past is past, her family is dead, and that she can't live in the past. She must move forward. And so she immediately runs off with Dimitri where she can shape her own future. She has found her past, but she lives in the present and she moves toward the future without the literal corpse of history trying to drag her down with it.

[@am1201]

17:26 Bartok was one of my absolute favourite films when I was younger!!😭 Pretty sure I'm the only child who was actually invested in it but I remember sitting down and watching it on the dvd player so often and so vividly. And the Fern Gully films too!!!

[@imanassole9421]

To us up north, there's 2 seasons. Can't see breath? Summer. See breath? Winter.

[@devfrancis7666]

Once upon a december absolutely should be the best known song from this movie, it is so perfect its a formative memory that litterally makes me FEEL the way i felt when i was little listening to it. Like that feeling you used to get at christmas but you dont feel anymore cuz youre an adult? Once uppon a december gives me a microdose of that feeling. Its the best song in the film hands down.

[@kung4660]

I absolutely forgot how much i loved this movie as a kid. Not only do i and Dimitri share our name, its one of the only movies i watched where i felt truly satisfied after watching it. The only others were ghibli movies like nausicaä. Probably because they both had a female lead which made my heart flutter back then

[@yasminni485]

This is one of my favourite animated movies. It's definitely underrated. I still sing the song "Once Upon a December" every once in a while. I'm so excited to watch this video (yes, I'm commenting before watching... so excited).

[@m.i.action8148]

There’s actually an another Anastasia movie made in 1956 with similar plot lines. As well as an off brand of this one I actually enjoy but not as much as this

[@amyleah08]

I've not watched the movie yet (this is something I am actively working to fix), but I've been fascinated with the real events/mystery for a while now. I'm definitely looking forward to watching it!

[@calliejobe2919]

You know why it’s underrated? Because it’s Don Bluth and he is amazing. so many people don’t know much about him, and when they see his work, it blows their mind

[@--Paws--]

Chris Pine would be Dimitry if the character was casted today.

[@ardismedia]

Once apon a december is my favorite song ever

[@yikesisthataleo185]

The lighting of the scenes in this movie really do remind me of some of the biggest lighting "movements" in classical paintings, sfumato and chiaroscuro. Honestly, when you are looking for these elements specifically, it really shows that the animators really did use a lot of compositional techniques from classical art, and I think thats part of why the animation is genuinely so gorgeous. I've watched this movie so much and still find myself pausing just to be able to admire the scenes that the team created.

[@abcrasshadow9341]

I wonder if there can exist a cohessive cut of the movie without Rasputin, like he can just be the force rhat starts the movie and then the rest can just be happenstance maybe? Like the train things can just be something happened etc.

[@octavia_SALTYARMY]

“Have you heard!? There’s a rumor in Saint Petersburg!!” 🎶🎶🎶can’t believe you don’t like that song bro lol

[@jadejewel6586]

I had a cassette tape of the Soundtrack! I also have home videos of my youngest daughter dressed up like Anastasia and singing in front of the TV while the VHS tape is playing on the VCR. A three year old singing "Heart don't fail me now" from Journey to the Past is Adorable and her bowing to the Father while singing "Once Upon a December" Priceless!

[@khira888]

Kicking my feet and screaming seeing the man, the myth, the LEGEND talking about animation aaaahhh!!

[@alexisespinoza4566]

This was great! 𝘈𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘢 and 𝘒𝘪𝘬𝘪'𝘴 𝘋𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 were my two most-watched animated films when I was little. They remain favorites to this day. Even when I was going through my edgy wannabe Princess of Darkness phase, they were still beloved movies that I held so close to my heart. I have never loved an animated princess movie more or as much as I love 𝘈𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘢. "Once Upon a December" is an amazing song and the entire palace scene is etched into my memory forever. I still find myself absolutely enthralled by that scene. It's beautiful and haunting at the same time and in equal measure. And the outfits in the movie? AMAZING. All of the dresses (and not just Anya's) are stunning and so detailed, and even Anya's orphan ensemble is so good. My sartorial four-year-old self was OBSESSED and still am at 30.

[@OpticalSorcerer]

While I love the movie overall, I DESPISED Dimitri. After he fell for Anya, he didn't think she was Anastasia, but he was perfectly fine with letting her go through the con even though it could disappoint her.

[@matteomarrucci9052]

I honestly wished for this video to never end. It's just so beautiful to hear someone talk about your favourite movie in such a good way, and with all the right words. This was entertaining as hell! Thank you so much ❤️

[@EnglishRose_]

I remember we went to see this 7 times at the cinema. The first was when we were visiting America from the UK, and it was one of the most magical experiences. It's a beautiful, excellent film, with stunning songs. Gorgeous. Thank you for making this brilliant video, and for all the work you do. Love from a brand new subscriber.

[@seph4707]

Great video! Anastasia is actually my favorite animated musical. Thanks for covering it!

[@TBoneTony]

Always loved Rasputin as a major villain character, despite the fact that it was obviously taking historical liberties. I would always remember that "In the Dark of the Night" song for being a strong villain song up there with some of the best Disney Villain songs from the same decade in the 90s. Also this animated film started my interest in looking at Russian History, including Animal Farm.

[@fluffyogtv1917]

Im gonna stop right here at the beginning of this video and say one thing , "Anastasia" is one of my favorite animated movies. IDC about the facts, it "as an animated film" is brilliant! Well done. And the song "Once Upon A December" Still gets me the same as the first time I seen it.

[@fluffyogtv1917]

About @8:30 you nailed it about the cinematography! That's one of the reasons I love this film.

[@fluffyogtv1917]

You said everything I could have said about this film. But you said it better. Great job my man.

[@emmalarson]

Anastasia will forever be one of my favorite animated films. The soundtrack is amazing & the story pulls at your heart strings. Shame Disney now owns it.

[@tyrannozilla]

I just watched Anastasia this past week for the first time in over a decade. It's still one of the most beautiful animated films I've ever seen. Not only that, it's my favorite musical of all time.

[@AceSilver78]

because you mentioned it at the end 👀now i want a Prince of Egypt video

[@neilengel3715]

Great video. Great film. But with all the attention to detail I was shocked with the mistake that is a leaves shadow that Vlad walks into and the shadow pattern falls across him as though Vlad has no contour at all. The shadow falls across a completely flat Vlad. I was working for Disney at the time and saw it in the theater when it came out with some Disney animator friends. We all went OOPS at that moment.

[@kclo]

“Dance like no one is watching, laugh like it is the first time you saw Elf”

[@chrisblanc663]

I feel like Disney buying Anastasia is such a demoralizing move. The whole point of the movies existence was to be a movie to compete with Disney. I think it accomplished that goal as it hits as hard as any 90’s Disney film. But alas, we live in the time of the mouse’s utter domination.

[@Ay-xq7mj]

lived* Disney is currently in another fail state.

[@chrisblanc663]

@@Ay-xq7mj they are failing, yes, but they are still the dominant force in entertainment. (I don’t mean they are good at entertainment, just that they dominate the landscape) If you want to test it, use one of their copyrighted properties in an illegal manner, or even just slightly questionable manner, and see for yourself their shark lawyer tactics for yourself.

[@sansfangirl4life439]

i remember seeing this as a child in theaters. i remember having, and still have, a little jewelry box of the music box xD i remember having a Pooka toy that, when u pushed on the bottom his ears would flap. i had a doll of Anastasia that came with a cassette that had once upon a December on one side and an instrumental version on the other side. this movie still holds up today and the music is still amazing today. easily one of my all time faves. i love this film

[@heatherlutz2102]

Anastasia was always my favorite Bluth movie hands down, closely followed by The Secret of NIMH. Journey to the past and Once upon a December will always be my favorite songs in the movie.

[@Futurebound_jpg]

They set out to be like Disney and ended up making a better princess animated musical than disney ever did

[@jadejewel6586]

I just found you today. Thanks for sharing this! My 3 kids and my favorite movie still and they're all grown up.

[@debbiemosley5615]

Bravo!! Another amazing video & even though you have done other animation videos, the content is never redundant! This one was outstanding & makes me want to watch it again! You always do such a wonderful job giving your point of view regarding the high points & low points of each movie , but you do it without being disrespectful of the creators of the movies. That to me is due to your talent as a writer. I always enjoy the praise you give to the writers, animators, actors & directors that contribute their part in making movies a success. Your love of music stands out when you comment on the music composers as well as the musicians & singers. I would say more but I am going to stop here & watch Anastasia now.

[@moonwolfgirl999]

11:10 for some reason I understand the animators, as an artist I have to use references sometimes, but I always feel… wrong doing it. Like my drawing isn’t authentic. Or I’m copying instead of just drawing like everyone else. I have to remind myself that reference and theft is two different things

[@SR-li5do]

I agree that Rasputin wasn’t really needed. The hero was Anya, the villain (kind of) was Dimitri and the clown was Vladimir. Honestly Dimitri was like villain/hero. Once upon a December would make me cry when I was a kid but I never understood why, now I do though 💖

[@josephine.strand]

THANK YOU for this!! Anastasia is one of my absolute favorites 🥹❤️

[@ispellitjustg]

Anastasia has always been in the back of my mind as a child. One of my early movie memories is of her. Because the movie is somewhat not widely knows, I used to think the movie was just some weird fever dream type thing. My siblings and family were the only reason I knew that this movie really did exist before the internet happened, I don't remember if we had a physical copy.

[@mattiemontoya4371]

I just stumbled upon your videos and I appreciate your positive, methodical curiosity more than you realize. Thank you

[@cryptid-artha]

"In the Dark of the Night" is SO GOOD. And some covers of it are also stunning as HELL

[@callme_mya5098]

Hey I just found your channel and I binged all your video essays/analysis on animated movies and I just wanted to say that you have some really good content, if you produced content like these I’m sure you would find lots of success! I believe in you man, I’ll keep up with what you put out and probably continue to binge a lot of your content! If no one else watches just know that there’s at least one person out there watching you.

[@rubydoo3307]

Wonderfully made video! I look forward to what this channel does as it grows 😊

[@RosemaryBo1991]

Once Upon a December is one of my favorite songs.

[@kasteran6355]

you always come out with the best videos i love to come back and watch

[@madisonoberg4513]

GOD, THE PRINCE OF EGYPT IS A BANGER. I mean so is this movie but that movie is a BANGEr

[@soandso3676]

Anastasia was my favorite Disney princess, before I knew she wasn’t a Disney princess. It’s still my favorite animated princess movie. Edit: i always took it as, Rasputin is a coward really. He preferred to work from Limbo, because he had influence without vulnerability. Until absolutely necessary for his personal goal.

[@tyrannozilla]

That's a good way of interpreting Rasputin's place in the film. I always saw him as a character who, at first, wanted to work behind the scenes and make her death look like an accident, sort of like how some curses are depicted in other fiction. I also believe he wanted to torture her psychologically as he tried to kill her (the nightmare sequence, for example). But when all that failed, then he wanted to deal with her, face to face. I've always enjoyed Rasputin and he never felt out of place for me.

[@ghosthost100]

Hello Mason, I am an animation fan too. You should consider a video on The Prince of Egypt or The Iron Giant. Two great films that are also non-Disney but have deep messages. You don't need to be religious to understand The Prince of Egypt. Anatasia is my favorite Don Bluth movie.

[@UnderratedBurnyBadger]

This channel just appeared on my feed. I made it to, "Heh heh. I'm such a good writer" before I hit subscribe. You are delightful, sir. XD