FADE IN:
on a well-worn PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM. An ELDERLY WOMAN'S
HAND touched the album, caressing it lovingly for a
moment, as WE HEAR her voice.
TATIANA (O.C.)
Once we lived in an enchanted
world. . .
She opend the ALBUM to reveal a BLACK AND WHITE
PHOTOGRAPH of the PALACE AT ST. PETERSBERG on a
brilliant summer day.
TATIANA (CONT)
A world of Tsars and Princesses
and elegant palaces. . .
CAMERA MOVES CLOSER TO the picture. . .
TATIANA (CONT)
and grand parties. . .
The PHOTO dissolves into REALITY in brilliant color as
the day turns into night and the summer cools into
winter. We see the palace at night, blanketed in a
beautiful, almost glowing, snow as hourse drawn carriages
pull up to the front door.
TATIANA (CONT)
A beautiful, magical time. . .
MOVE INTO THE PALACE
TATIANA (CONT)
That would soon be gone
forever. . .
INT. PALACE AT ST. PETERSBERG - NIGHT
Elegant ROYALISTS mingle around the MAIN HALL as an
ORCHESTRA plays.
All eyes turn to the GLASS DOORS OF TWO ELEVADORS which
descend grandly on either side of a beautiful staircase.
Through the glass doors we see TATIANA, the Dowager
Empress, 60, imperious and bedecked with jewels, she is
seemingly unapproachable. TSAR NICHOLAS and his SON are
with her. In the other elevador, ALEXANDRA and her
daughters - well, all her daughters except. . .
ANASTASIA, eight years old and apparently late for the
party, rushes down the upstairs hallway followed by a
SERVENT (SONYA) 16, who is trying to catch up with
Anastasia to tie a large ribbon in her long, dark hair.
SONYA
(whispering)
Princess Anastasia - you're
late and it's all my fault!
ANASTASIA
Don't worry, Sonya, no one'll
notice. . .
Just then, Sonya lassoes the ribbon around her hair,
stopping Anastasia with a
ANASTASIA
(loudly)
. . . owwwwwwwww!
All eyes turn to Anastasia, who once she realizes that
she's the center of attention, flashes a mischievous
smile and descends the staircase in grand style. As the
ribbon falls out of her hair and down her back,
Anastasia kicks it to Sonya without breaking stride.
Tatiana sees her and can't help but smile.
The music suddenly becomes a FLOURISH OF TRUMPETS.
SERVENTS open the elevador doors as the ROYAL FAMILY
steps out and begins a proccession through their
subjects. Tatiana holds out her arm to Anastasia as she
makes it to Tatiana's side just in time. Anastasia has
a beautiful but slightly impish face, dominated by
large, blue, mischievous eyes. She an abundance of
energy and confidence for a girl her age.
"THE RULARS OF RUSSIA" (OPENING NUMBER)
The elegant guests sing their admiration as the
beautiful and happy Romanov family makes it's entrance
into the ball, they're "the pride of all Russia".
Vladimir invites Sophie to dance and the entire
glittering assembly assembly swings into a GLORIOUS SWEEPING
WALTZ. Singing their certainty that the Romanovs will
rule forever.
During the above, the ball is in full swing. Beautiful
COUPLES swirls across the dance floor, including
Anastasia dancing gracefully with her father.
Under a long buffet table, we see DMITRI, 11, darkly
handsome, dressed in ragged servant clothes, with a
shock of dark hair which continuoually falls accross his
eyes as watches the guest enviously. Anastasia, still
waltzing with her father, sees him. SERVENTS cross the
room carrying a trays of BEAUTIFUL TROPICAL FRUIT. The
guests "Ew" and "ah" at the sumptuous fruit. Anastasia
sees Dmitri eyeing it hungrily and without missing a
dance step, she grabs an orange off thr tray and tosses
it to Dmitri. He catches it and smiles broadly at her.
Suddenly, A HAND grabs Dmitri and pulls him out from
under the table. It's IVAR, the HEAD SERVENT, who pulls
Dmitri into an open wall panel.
IVAR
(angrily)
You're a servent! Never forget
your place!
DMITIRI
(defiant)
Someday my place will be out
there!
IVAR
Never! You're a peasant,
Dmitri! Back in the kitchen
RULARS OF RUSSIA (CONT.)
UNDERSCORE CONTINUES as Dmitri is dragged from his
hiding place under the table and back to the kitchen.
It's like the Moscow circus back there, COMIC MUSICAL
CONFUSION. The servants sing about their demanding
employers and mockingly imitate their behavior: they
imply that they have their own "party", that change is
coming.
While back in the ballroom, the Royalists are
oblivious to the servants discontent and sing their
satisfaction with their own lives.
DRAMATIC UNDERSCORE CONTINUES though the following
scenes.
ON TATIANA
in a large throne-like chair. Tatiana is very serious
and very regal. She slides over to make room for
Anastasia who sits next to her.
TATIANA
Why were you so late tonight
ANASTASIA
I was showing Sonya
something . . .
TATIANA
What were you showing her?
ANASTASIA
(sheepishly)
How to read.
TATIANA
I thought you were told not to
tutor your servants anymore.
ANASTASIA
I know, but I had to because . . .
Anastasia looks up at Tatiana and sees her smile with
pride. Anastasia knows she doesn't have to explain.
ANASTASIA
(cuddling)
Oh, Grandmama, why do you have
to go back to Paris?
TATIANA
It's where I've made my home
but I do have something for
you . . .
Tatiana reaches from behind the chair and brings out a
beautiful MUSIC BOX. Tatiana takes the key, a small
silver and enamel flower, on a silver neck chain and
winds it up. MUSIC BEGINS, she hands Anastasia the key.
CLOSE UP
the key bearing the inscription "Together in Paris".
ANASTASIA
"Together in Paris"! Oh, when
can we be "together in Paris?!
TATIANA
When you're older . . .
Anastasia makes a disgruntled face. Tatiana laughs.
TATIANA
Until then, whenever you hear
this song, think of me and know
that I'm waiting for you.
Tatiana puts the key around Anastasia's neck and they
embrace. Then, suddenly . . .
ON THE GRAND CHANDELIER
the lights begin to fade in and out.
GROUP SHOT
as PEOPLE in the ballroom look around bewildered. Then,
a WHIRLWIND kicks up, sending everyone off the dance
floor, as the whirlwind becomes a TORNADO.
Suddenly, an ALBINO BAT (BARTOK) with huge eyes, springs
out of the funnel, screeching and swooping over the
crowd, causing everyone to duck and cover their heads in
fear.
The tornada reaches it's peak and EXPLODES in smoke -
leaving RASPUTIN standing alone in the middle of the
floor. He is of indeterminate age, towering over other
men in the room, his most striking feature are his eyes
- which at this moment are burning a fiery red. He is
dressed in a flowing black monk's robe with a satin rope
tied around his waist. Connected to the rope is a
glowing RELIQUARY, a mystical lantern.
VARIOUS SHOTS
of Nicholas, Alexandra, Sophie and Vladimir, Dmitri
peeking out ofthe wallpanel, Tatiana and Anastasia,
all of whom are frightened.
NICHOLAS
as he gathers his son and wife to his side
NICHOLAS
Rasputin! You're alive . . .
RASPUTIN
(advancing)
Despite being shot, poisoned
and thrown into an icy river . . .
YES!
NICHOLAS
(honestly)
I had nothing to do with it!
RASPUTIN
You gave the orders!
NICHOLAS
I did no such thing!
RASPUTIN
After all I've done for your
family - YOU TRIED TO KILL
MEEEEEE ! ! !
Rasputin swings the reliquary, wrapping himself in smoke
which seems to grow larger. Eerie moaning noises come
from the reliquary. PEOPLE back awayin terror.
RASPUTIN (CONT.)
The Romanov dynasty ends here!
You, your wife and children
will all die within the
fortnight!
ANASTASIA
NO!
Anastasia leaves Tatiana and rushes to stand in front of
her father. Still holding her Music Box, Anastasia's
shaking hands are the only thing that gives away her
fear. Rasputin spins toward the voice.
ANASTASIA
We're not afraid of you!
RASPUTIN
(furious)
You . . . my little babushka . . .
you'll be so much fun to kill
that I'll save you for last!
Twirling the reliquary again, the MOANS grow louder as
Bartok circles around his head. The smoke that emerges
seems to have almosy a human shape to it.
RASPUTIN
THIS IS THE END OF THE ROMANOV
LINE - FOREVER !!!!
The tornada of smoke begins again, whipping into a
frenzy and then EXPLODING.
The smoke clears and Rasputin is gone. As the lights
return to normal the Romanov family all stand together,
and try to look regal and in control once again.
TATIANA (O.C.)
Some say Rasputin ad harnessed
all the dark powers of evil and
that it was his curse which
brought about the end . . .
DISSOLVE TO:
the ROMANOV FAMILY fades into a PORTRAIT OF THE FAMILY.
TATIANA (O.C.)
I will never know for sure.
All I do know is that the
beauty of our world was soon
Gone . . . Forever . . .
a lick of BRIGHT ORANGE FLAME creeps into view.
"RULERS OF RUSSIA" (VOCAL REPRISE)
HUGE, OMINOUS VOCALS reprise the onceglorious watlz
of the Romanovs, heralding the end of their world and
underscoring the coming revolution.
PULL BACK
to see the PORTRAIT, a huge FRIEZE which covers an
entire entire wall, singeing as the FLAME creeps up the nearby
drapery, tinting the room in a red glow.
A SCREAMING MOB, some in uniform, some not, has crashed
into the palace and is heading up the stairs. A few in
the mob fire off orange RIFLE SHOTS.
INT. ANASTASIA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Anastasia BOLTS UP, hearing the shots. Her music box is
next to her on her nightstand.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
Mass confusion as the MOB is met by a few SERVANTS, who
try to stop them from advancing. More shots.
ON THE ROMANOV'S
still in nightclothes, are being rushed down the
hallway. Tatiana is next to Anastasia as Anastasia
stopsdead in her tracks.
ANASTASIA
My music mox!
Anastasia turns around and runs back down the hall.
Tatiana tries to stop her.
TATIANA
Anastasia, no!
It's too late, Anastasia fights her way back into her
room, with Tatiana following her.
FROM THE OTHER END OF THE HALLWAY
we see Dmitri watching amidst all the confusion.
INT. ANASTASIA'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Anastasia grabs her music box as Tatiana rushes in.
TATIANA
Hurry, child!
LOUD RIFLE SHOTS are heard as Dmitri bursts into the
room, closing the door behind him.
DMITRI
No - this way!
Dmitri runs to a wall panel and thows his weight
against it. It opens, revealing a passage way.
DMITRI (CONT.)
Go! Run!! Out the servant's
quarters!
Tatiana, enormously grateful, looks at Dmitri as he
flips his hair out of his face unconsciously.
DMITRI
Go!
Tatiana goes in as Dmitri shoves Anastasia toward the
passageway, knocking the music box out of her hand. She
reaches for it, but hearing the mob voices growing
closer, he pushes her through the panel without it.
DMITRI (CONT.)
Go!
Tatiana quickly follows Anastasia into the passageway
and Dmitri closes the panel JUST AS the mob bursts in.
DMITRI (CONT.)
(lying to the mob)
No one's here! Let's try the
next room!
The MOB, accepts the word of a peasant boy and rushes
out. Dmitri picks up the music box and looks sadly
toward the panel.
EXT. TRAIN STATION - NIGHT
Which is under siege by ROYALISTS trying to board the
overcrowded train and the REVOLUTIONARIES who are trying
to stop them.
A TOURING CAR pulls up RIGHT ON THE TRACKS behind the
caboose as the train starts to pull away.
Tatiana and Anastasia climb out of the car and race for
the train, fighting their way through the frenzied and
frightened crowd. WE HEAR shouts of "The Empress - let
her through!" which helps clear the way.
Anastasia reaches the train first, then turns to see
Tatiana. trying to catch up.
ANASTASIA
Hurry, Grandmama!
TATIANA
Get on! Anastasia, get on!
Anastasia refuses to board the train.
UP AHEAD
A MOB OF REVOLUTIONARIES block the tracks with a TRUCK
ON ANASTASIA
who pushes Tatiana up the stairs of the caboose. This
puts Anastasia a few steps behind as the train speeds
up. Tatiana is gripped by other passengers as she
reaches out to Anastasia.
TATIANA
Grab my hand!
Anastasia reaches up and takes Tatiana's hand.
ANASTASIA
Don't let go!
CLOSE ON
the TWO HANDS. then suddenly. her small hand is pulled
from Tatiana's grasp and falls out of the frame.
TATIANA (O.C.)
ANASTASIA!
ON ANASTASIA
who has stumbled, hitting the ground hard.
ON TATIANA
horrified, screaming:
TATIANA
ANASTASIA!
Tatiana rushes to jump off the train after her, but is
caught and held back by the ROYALIST PASSANGERS as the
train CRASHES through the truck and picks up speed.
TATIANA's POV:
Anastasia rising from the ground, her hand outstretched.
But she is suddenly swallowed up by the mob.
SUPERIMPOSE:
A BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH
of Anastasia, in a happier time, smiling.
UNDERSCORE: "THE MUSIC BOX THEME"
TATIANA (O.C.)
I never saw her again. . .
The PHOTO ALBUM slowly closes. . .
END OPENING NUMBER
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ORPHANAGE - DAY
A gray and ugly, post-revolution building with a sign
above the door that identifies it: "Young Comrades
Without Parents".
INT. ORPHANAGE - DAY
CHILDREN of all ages clean the cold, gray dormitory.
Their clothes are ragged and they look underfed.
CLOSE ON
ANYA, 18, pretty despite the boy's hand-me-down clothes
she is forced to wear, is busy scrubbing the floor.
Unlike the others, she is determined not to let her
surroundings get to her. She hums a tune.
The door suddenly SLAMS open and GREGOR, 8, and clearly
terrified, comes running in followed by COMRADE
PHLEGMENKOF - a huge woman carrying a switch.
GREGOR
Anya! Anya!
All of the OTHER KIDS turn away, not wanting to get
involved. Anya focuses on Gregor, who is shivering with
fright and on the verge of tears as Phlegmenkof
approaches, swinging the switch menacingly.
PHLEGMENKOF
You can't get away from me
now . . .
Phlegmenkof advances on Gregor. Anya takes the scrub
brush and SHOVES it across the floor, right under
Phlegmenkof's unsuspecting foot. Phlegmenkof's feet fly
out from under her and she SMASHES to the floor. Gregor
hops over her huge body and runs to Anya for safety.
Some of the OTHER KIDS glance over. A CHUBBY GIRL and a
very pretty LITTLE GIRL, look at Anya with greeat
admiration . . . someof the OTHERS think she's crazy.
Phlegmenkof rises, covered with soap bubbles , and spins
on Anya - who gives her a very innocent smile.
PHLEGMENKOF (CONT.)
You! You did this!
Some of the OTHER CHILDREN laugh as soap bubbles fly off
the enraged woman. She spins on them, her back to Anya.
PHLEGMENKOF (CONT.)
Brats! There'll be no supper
for any of you! Back to work!
Anya, behind Phlegmenkof, mimics her outraged face and
angry gestures perfectly - as the CHILDREN laugh harder.
Phlegmenkof spins and almost catches Anya. She advances
on Anya as Gregor hides behind her legs.
ANYA
Don't touch him.
PHLEGMENKOF
(to Anya)
You ragged, skinny, little
nothing! I have had just about
enough of you . . .
Phlegmenkof raises her hand to slap Anya, who hold her
ground. Suddenly, Phlegmenkof SNIFFS the air.
ON THE KIDS
as the horrible smell reaches them too. They all make
faces and hold their noses.
ON PHLEGMENKOF
who first sniffs under her raised arm, then realized the
cause of the stench . . .
PHLEGMENKOF (CONT.)
Comrade Serebreakov!
She tries to straighten herself out nervously - this
must be someone very important.
COMRADE SEREBREAKOV stands in the doorway, lecherously
eyeing the girls. He is a huge, fleshly man with facial features which are reminiscent of a fish.
PHLEGMENKOF (CONT.)
(flirting)
Comrade Serebreakov! What a
lovely surprise! What brings
you here?
SEREBREAKOV
I need. . . a worker.
His eye catches Anya. He looks her up and down, his
beady eyes showing a touch of lust for her.
SEREBREAKOV (CONT.)
I will take her.
He leans close close to Anya.
SEREBREAKOV (CONT.)
Tomorrow you begin your life's
work in my hearing factory.
You'll start by cutting off the
tails - but if I'm pleased with
(MORE)
SEREBREAKOV (CONT.)
you - you just may move up to
cutting off the heads. How
does that sound?
ANYA
About as bad as you smell!
Phlegmenkof moves between them, pulling Serebreakov
away.
PHLEGMENKOF
No, no, Comrade - you don't
want her . . .
SEREBREAKOV
I want her.
PHLEGMENKOF
That's horrible, skinny thing?!
She's crazy - she has no memory
of anything before she came
here! She didn't even know her
name! That one is a rotten
troublemaker, willful. . .
SEREBREAKOV
I'll break her will. . .
(to Anya)
I shall come for you tomorrow
at dawn.
(he touches her face as
she pulls away)
You will enjoy serving under
me.
Smiling in anticipation, he exit.
PHLEGMENKOF
I couldn't break you - but he
can!
And she turns to leave in a huff. Anya does one more
imitation of her, making the CHILDREN laugh. But as
Anya turns away from her audience, we see her facade
fade and realize her terror of the future.
INT. ORPHANAGE - NIGHT
The CHILDREN huddle in their cots under tattered, thin
blankets. Anya is fully dressed, illuminated by the
light of a FULL MOON, she ties a dull gray sheets together
and anchors the "rope" to an ice cold radiator and
throws the other end out of the window. She is about to
climb out when she looks at the sleeping children and
smiles sadly. She walks over to Gregor's bed and puts
one hand lovingly on his head and then reaches over and
takes the hand of a sleeping LITTLE GIRL, who opens her
eyes and smiles.
GREGOR
(loudly)
Anya?
The other childern wake up as Anya gently "shushes" him.
GREGOR (CONT.)
(quietly)
Are you running away?
ANYA
No. I'm running to.
LITTLE GIRL
Running to? Running to what?
ANYA
To find my home.
A CHUBBY TWELVE YEAR OLD GIRL looks at Anya.
CHUBBY GIRL
But you are home.
ANYA
No. This isn't a home - it's
just a building. Home is where
you belong and none of us
belong here.
GREGOR
Where is your home, Anya?
ANYA
I'm not sure but look. . .
Anya shows Gregor the key around her neck.
CLOSE UP on the inscription: "Together in Paris"
ANYA
It says "Together in Paris". I
was wearing this when I came
here ten years ago - it's the
only way that I know . . .
ANYA (CONT.)
(beat)
. . . that I must have been
someone someone loved.
CHUBBY GIRL
Is your home in Paris?
ANYA
It might be. I have to go and
find out.
Anya smiles lovingly at the children.
"A SOMEPLACE AND A SOMEONE"
(Anya's "I want" song). Anya SINGS SOFTLY to the
children about how all she has is the key around her
neck to the "someone and thesomeplace" she was "lost
from long ago". She tells the children that she must go
find them again.
UNDERSCORE continues.
ANYA
I have to go now, before it
gets light.
GREGOR
(worried)
But what if we can't ever find
where we came from?!
ANYA
Then you'll have to make your
own home. Lots of people do.
Anya embraces the children and walks to the window.
GREGOR
(nervous, sad)
Anya! What if we can't find
anyone who loves us?!
ANYA
Then come find me.
Gregor is relieved and cuddles into his bed as Anya
smiles lovingly and crawls out the window.
EXT. ORPHANAGE - NIGHT
Anya begins to climb down the street, testing the knots.
The knotshold tight, but the old sheet RIPS in half,
sending her PLUMMETING into a snow drift. From the
depths of the snow we HEAR her voice.
ANYA (O.C.)
I hope there's no snow in
Paris. . .
EXT. HILLSIDE - DAWN
A glorious bright (and cold) dawn creeps over the
horizon. Anya stands at edge of the hill, looking
down on the city of ST.PETERSBURG. The old gray
orphanage looms behind her. Anya "borrows" an old,
beat-up bicycle from the orphanage and rides down the
hill.
Music picks up in energy and excitement as Anya zooms on
her way bumping and bouncing downhill as the sunrises
and St. Petersburg looms nearer.
"A SOMEONE AND A SOMEPLACE" (CONT.)
Music becomes UPTEMPO, HOPEFUL, ACTIVE, ACTIVE. Anya SINGS -
- full of hope, energy and excitement as she peddls her
rickety bike toward the city. "Her heart is on its way"
and nothing is going to stop her.
Anya passes though the countryside toward the city. A
peasant family waves to her as she goes by. A Gypsy
Troupe performs tricks by the side of the road. A very
fancy car zooms by.
"A SOMEONE AND A SOMEPLACE" (CONT.)
Anya SINGS, imagining who she might be -- anyone from
a peasant to a princess! But it doesn't matter as long
as she finds her real family.
People stare at her as she rides into the edge of the
city. She is captivated by all the activity: cars,
busses, stores, long lines of people, etc.
"A SOMEONE AND A SOMEPLACE" (CONT.)
Anya SINGS -- in this sea faces, there must be
someone who has a clue to her identity. She'll stop at
nothing to find the someone who once loved her. SOARING
MUSICAL AND VOCAL CONCLUSION.
END MUSICAL NUMBER
Anya does not see a cute little PUPPY (MEETOO) with a
HUGE BONE in his mouth, being chased along the sidewalk
by a pack of much larger, vicious DOGS until he bolts
across Anya's path forcing her to skid to a stop. She
watched him as he scoots into an alley, followed by the
angry pack.
On reflex, Anya drops the bike and reuns into the alley
after him.
EXT. ALLEY - DAY
Meetoo is trapped. The PACK surrounds him, ready to
pounce when Anya LEAPS into the middle of the circle.
The PACK is startled, but begins to advance on both Anya
and Meetoo.
Anya doesn't know what to do. She crouches and then. . .
growls back at them, making her eyes look as ferocious
as possible. The PACK exchange a confused look; there's
a girl growling at them. Meetoo stands, suddenly brave,
behind her and growls along with her.
Suddenly, Anya pounced toward the pack, growling louder.
The pack has definately had enough - some start to back
out quizzically, others turn and run like hell.
Anya turns to Meetoo, who looks up at her gratefully,
wagging his tail. Anya picks up the bone and puts it
back in his mouth.
ANYA
I think you should be more
careful about who you invite to
dinner!
Meetoo nods and lets out a little "bark" that sounds as
if he were saying "retu". Anya pats him and heads back
to her bike.
EXT. ST. PETERSBURG STREET - DAY
Anya rides down the street. She doesn't see Meetoo,
running like a little maniac behind her.
Anya approaches a STERN LOOKING BUILDING with a sign
over the door: "The People's Bureau of Bureaucracy".
She leaps off her bike and heads up the stais. Meetoo,
breathing heavily from his run, follows and almost
reaches her when the heavy door slams in his face. He
slumps against it, panting, his little paw-to chest.
INT. BUREAU OF BUREAUCRACY - DAY
Anya enters and STOPS when she sees. . . LINES and LINES
of people which seem to go on forever. She walks down
the side of one line, trying to figure out which one to
stand in.
ANYA
Could someone tell me. . .
PEASANT 1
End of the line!
ANYA
Which line?
PEASANT 2
Any line.
PEASANT 3
All lines are good lines.
PEASANT 1, 2, & 3
(in unison)
In our beloved Soviet Union!
They turn toward an armed Soviet Guard and smile
sweetly, hoping he heard their flattery. He did.
GUARD
Very good. . .
He jots something down in his notebook.
ON ANYA
as she gets closer to the window. She turns to the
person behind her.
ANYA
Is this the right line to get
papers to travel?
PEASANT 4
Travel? Travel to where?
ANYA
To Paris. I have to get to
Paris
PEASANT 5, in front of her, turns around.