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Anna-Karenina.txt
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ANNA KARENINA
Written by
Tom Stoppard
Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy.
INT. POKROVSKOE--NIGHT
CLOSE--Expert fingers--female, unlovely, capable--shape a small lump of
dough which, with some shreds of cabbage, becomes a filled bun called a pirozhok . . .
which is now placed on a baking tray to join rows of pirozhoki ready for the oven.
CLOSE-- One hand opens the oven, and, mittened by an apron, removes
a tray of perfectly baked pirozhoki, which the other hand replaces with the
fresh tray . . . slightly burning itself on a knuckle.
TITLE OVER:
FEBRUARY 1872
POKROVSKOE, KONSTANTIN LEVIN'S ESTATE
300 MILES SOUTH OF MOSCOW:
INT. KITCHEN, POKROVSKOE, SAME TIME--NIGHT
Agafia sucks her knuckle and checks what's cooking on the stove-top. She is
the cook-housekeeper.
AGAFIA
He needs to come in if he's to wash himself.
A Kitchen Maid at the sink obediently dries her hands on her apron. A
dozing dog, Laska, pricks up her ears.
EXT. YARD, POKROVSKOE, SAME TIME--NIGHT
It's snowing. The Kitchen Maid, shawled, with a lantern, makes her way
across the yard towards the cowshed, a short distance, and pushes open the
frozen door. Laska is at her heels, but is made to stay outside.
3
INT. COWSHED, POKROVSKOE, SAME TIME--NIGHT
The herd stirs at the lantern light. The bull, Berkut, with a ring through
his nose, snorts as the girl goes by. At the back of the shed a cow is calving.
Levin is midwifing, sleeves pulled back, blood and slime up to his elbows.
He is 34. His steward, Vasili, holds up a lantern. Levin pulls carefully at
the emerging forefeet.
LEVIN
Good girl . . . good girl, Pava.
The calf's head emerges.
KITCHEN MAID
(ARRIVING)
Agafia Mishaylovna says dinner's like to
spoil.
The calf enters the world like a diver. Levin is feeling great pride and
pleasure.
LEVIN
. . . her father's colour.
VASILI
Worth coming home for, Konstantin
Dmitrich!
LEVIN
I stayed too long in Moscow.
The cow nuzzles and licks her calf.
4
INT. DINING ROOM, POKROVSKOE--NIGHT
Cleaned up, in a smock shirt, Levin bites hungrily into a pirozhok, talking.
He has a book on a book-rest. Agafia ladles soup for him. Three generations
of family portraits look down on him.
LEVIN
. . . She's a beauty. That's twelve cows sired
by Berkut!
AGAFIA
So one of you is doing what the good Lord
made you for.
Levin evades, ducks into spooning up soup, finding his place in his book.
Agafia goes out. Alone, Levin closes the book and stares into himself.
INT. (MOSCOW)-- DAY
CLOSE--Expert fingers scrape a cut-throat razor across a lathered
cheek . . . and again, skirting luxuriant facial hair on pampered skin.
TITLE OVER:
PRINCE OBLONSKY'S HOUSE, MOSCOW
INT. OBLONSKY'S DRESSING ROOM, OBLONSKY
HOUSE, SAME TIME-- DAY
There is a door to the landing and a door to the bedroom.
5
Prince Stepan Oblonsky-- Stiva to his friends--is 34 and liked by every-
body. A barber comes in every morning to shave him. His valet, Matvey, is
older and almost a friend. He holds up an enormous pear.
MATVEY
What should I do with this?
Oblonsky puts the barber on hold to have a look.
OBLONSKY
Where did you find it?
MATVEY
In your hat. Your Excellency.
Oblonsky thinks about it, lets the barber finish. He stands and removes his
dressing gown.
OBLONSKY
Yes . . . I picked it up somewhere for Daria
Alexandrovna and the children.
Matvey is ready with Oblonsky's shirt, which he puts over his master's head
like a horse's collar.
INT. "DAY NURSERY," OBLONSKY HOUSE, SAME
TIME--DAY
There is a sloping lineup of five children, aged eight, five, four, three and
two, dressed and brushed for presentation to their mother, Princess Daria
Oblonsky, known as Dolly . . . who we now see is heavily pregnant. Stand-
ing by is a French governess, Mlle. Roland, and a Nurse. Mlle. Roland
is buxom.
6
Dolly picks up the youngest, Vasya, to kiss him and hands him to the
Nurse, and kisses the others in ascending order.
DOLLY
Bonjour, Lili; bonjour, Masha; bonjour,
Grisha; bonjour, Tanya.
Who's coming to see Grandmama?
INT. OBLONSKY'S DRESSING ROOM, SAME TIME--
DAY
Oblonsky, dressed now and holding a cup of coffee, checks from the window.
OBLONSKY'S POV--
Dolly, in furs, the four youngest children and the Nurse, who carries Vasya,
all wrapped up against the cold weather, have come out of the house to a
waiting sleigh, as noisy as starlings, bickering, competing, reprimanding.
The Oblonsky's Coachman assists, with a rug to spread across knees.
Oblonsky hands his coffee to Matvey and lights a small cigar. He detours
to take a sugared almond from a dish of sweets, and leaves the room . . .
INT. SCHOOLROOM, OBLONSKY HOUSE, SAME
TIME--DAY
Tanya is at her lessons with Mlle. Roland. When Oblonsky's face appears
smiling round the door, Tanya jumps up and runs to him, greeting him,
laughing, kissing his face, hanging on his neck.
7
OBLONSKY
My Tanruchoshka! Mind my cigar.
He pops the sugared almond into her mouth and puts a conspiratorial finger
to his lips. Mlle. Roland, who has stood up for him, clucks in reprimand.
OBLONSKY (CONT'D)
Be good today. I'm off.
Tanya runs back to her seat and bends to her schoolbook. Oblonsky looks
Mlle. Roland in the eye. He moves his head slightly, unmistakably ask-
ing her to come outside. Mlle. Roland moves her eyes at him in humorous
reproach. Clearly, this is familiar ground. Oblonsky closes the door behind
him.
mlle. roland
(PAUSE)
Read the chapter carefully. I'll come back to
test you on it . . . Read it twice.
INT. (ST. PETERSBURG)--DAY
CLOSE--Pretty fingers put on several rings, and then pick up a Fabergé
jade paper-knife to slit an envelope and withdraw a letter.
TITLE OVER:
ALEXEI KARENIN'S HOUSE, ST. PETERSBURG
400 MILES NORTH OF MOSCOW
8
INT. ANNA'S BOUDOIR, KARENIN HOUSE, SAME
TIME--DAY
It is early in the day. Anna's maid, Annushka, has been dressing Anna.
Annushka is young, loyal, modest.
Anna is at her dressing-table-bureau, which is host to at least two pho-
tographs of a small boy (Serozha) and a child's unframed drawing of
"Maman." As she starts reading the letter, Anna's eyes frown.
FLASH BACK, VERY SHORT, ALMOST SUBLIMINAL--
INT. (LINEN CLOSET)--DAY
Oblonsky and Mlle. Roland in a passionate embrace, vertical, clothed.
BACK TO SCENE
Anna turns the page, reads on, concerned.
FLASH BACK-- SHORT, A BEAT OR TWO--
INT. LINEN CLOSET, OBLONSKY HOUSE--DAY
Still kissing, Oblonsky hoists up her skirts.
BACK TO SCENE
Anna turns to the second page.
9
FLASH BACK-- SHORT
INT. BEDROOM LEVEL, OBLONSKY HOUSE--NIGHT
Oblonsky, coming in quietly and late from a night on the town, enters his
dressing room. He stops. He smiles a foolish apologetic smile.
REVERSE-- (DRESSING ROOM)
Dolly is waiting for him, shocked, enraged, holding out a billet-doux on
pink paper: a love note.
BACK TO SCENE
Anna speaks as in exasperation to a naughty child.
ANNA
Tsk, oh . . . Stiva!
INT. KARENIN'S STUDY, KARENIN HOUSE--DAY
ANNA
. . . and Dolly found a note from the
governess.
Anna is speaking to her husband "confidentially." Karenin, a busy man,
drains his coffee cup and hands it (as with Oblonsky and Matvey) to his
valet, Korney, who bows and withdraws. Karenin continues transferring
papers from his desk to his portfolio . . .
Which done, he nods to his private secretary, Mikhail Slyudin, who comes
forward to receive it, bows and leaves.
10
KARENIN
Well . . . ?
Karenin is twenty years older than Anna and a senior figure in govern-
ment. He has an unattractive reedy voice and is pleased with himself as a
model of probity. He has the habit of cracking his knuckles.
ANNA
Stiva wants me to come to Moscow . . . to
persuade Dolly to forgive him.
KARENIN
I'm to be deprived of my wife so that adul-
tery may be forgiven? I can't excuse him
just because he's your brother.
ANNA
It's for Dolly's sake too.
KARENIN
(has to go)
I have four committees today . . .
There is another interruption: Serozha, aged seven and a half, and his
tutor, Vasily Lukich, enter for a ritual "good morning." Serozha is a little
frightened of his father, but the mother and son are in love. Anna goes
straight to Serozha, her heart lifted, to hug him.
KARENIN (CONT'D)
Good, good!--I have the world waiting
for me, there's never time to look at your
exercises!
11
LUKICH
Sergei Alexeyich is doing very well, Your
Excellency.
ANNA
(a button missing)
Tsk-tsk, who put this shirt on you? Never
mind. I'll come and hear you read.
KARENIN
Tomorrow, perhaps. Thank you, Lukich--
perhaps tomorrow.
Lukich bows. Anna goes with Serozha, relinquishing him finally. She closes
the door on them.
ANNA
Alexei, do you think nine years of mar-
riage and children should count for nothing
against a . . . an infatuation?
Karenin cracks his knuckles, concedes.
KARENIN
No. Very well.
(kisses her hand)
But sin has a price, you may be sure of that.
INT. OBLONSKY'S DRESSING ROOM, OBLONSKY
HOUSE--DAY
Oblonsky has been bunking down on his couch. He moans and groans. He
gets up and tries the door to the bedroom. It's locked. He knocks timidly.
12
OBLONSKY
(PITEOUSLY)
Dolly . . . please think of the children . . .
He listens hopefully. The other door, leading to the upper landing, is opened
violently by Dolly.
DOLLY
You think of the children! Their lives are
ruined now!
She slams the door behind her.
INT. BEDROOM LEVEL, OBLONSKY HOUSE, SAME
TIME--DAY
Oblonsky comes out of his dressing room to see the main bedroom door
slammed. He attempts to go in but the door is locked.
OBLONSKY
Oh, Dolly . . . I beg you . . .
Matvey come to the top of the stairs with a telegram.
MATVEY
Telegram. Should I send up the barber?
OBLONSKY
No, just the razor.
Oblonsky tears open the telegram.
13
MATVEY
Don't worry, sir, things will shape them-
selves, you'll see.
OBLONSKY
(RELIEVED)
My sister Anna's coming tomorrow. We're
saved.
INT. OBLONSKY'S OFFICE, MOSCOW--DAY
Inner doors open and Oblonsky comes out of his private office. He is his
genial self. Everyone in the general office-- minor officials, clerks-- stands
up for him and bows. Oblonsky is wearing government uniform--green
coat with gold embroidery on the collar--instead of his own coat. Oblonsky
is helped out of one coat into the other.
DOORKEEPER
Some man came without an appointment,
Your Excellency . . . waiting outside.
Oblonsky opens the door to look. Levin is sitting waiting on a bench, wear-
ing a sheepskin coat, cap and scuffed boots.
OBLONSKY
Levin! Where did you disappear?
He seizes Levin and kisses him.
LEVIN
(NERVOUS)
I'm very anxious to see you. I need your
advice.
14
OBLONSKY
Well, then, come into my room.
Oblonsky leads Levin back through the general office, where everyone stands
up again. Levin's sheepskin and boots attract curious glances.
OBLONSKY (CONT'D)
This is my oldest friend, Konstantin Dmit-
rich Levin! Someone send word I'll be a few
minutes late.
INT. OBLONSKY'S PRIVATE OFFICE, SAME TIME--DAY
Oblonsky leads Levin inside and closes the door.
OBLONSKY
I've been hard at it. Sit down.
Levin undoes his coat and sits down.
LEVIN
Hard at what exactly?
OBLONSKY
Why, we're overwhelmed with work!
LEVIN
Oh--paperwork.
OBLONSKY
Paperwork is the soul of Russia. Farming
is only the stomach. When am I going to
come and shoot some snipe?
Seeing the clothes Levin is wearing, he laughs.
15
OBLONSKY (CONT'D)
Oh, but look at you, in Western clothes
you told me you'd never wear again. Some-
thing's up.
LEVIN
Yes. I'm in love. I've come back to propose.
Have you guessed who she is?
OBLONSKY
(rolls his eyes comically)
I have a suspicion. Why didn't you propose
when you were here?
LEVIN
I decided it was impossible. Kitty is of the
heavens, an angel, and I am of the earth--
but then I thought and thought, and . . .
there's no life for me without her! . . . Do I
have a chance?
OBLONSKY
Of course you do. The Shcherbatskys are
giving a soiree this evening. Get there early
before the crowd. If I may suggest . . .
LEVIN
Anything! What?
OBLONSKY
New boots.
LEVIN
Right. Anything else?
16
OBLONSKY
(HESITATES)
We'd better have dinner together.
Come on, we'll meet later at l'Angleterre.
Or do you prefer the Hermitage?
Oblonsky ushers Levin back into the general office.
INT. GENERAL OFFICE, SAME TIME--DAY
. . . Everyone stands up as before. The Doorkeeper produces Oblonsky's top-
coat and helps him into it.
OBLONSKY
No--five-thirty at l'Angleterre--I owe them
more than the Hermitage, so it wouldn't be
fair to withdraw my custom.
(taking his hat)
Boots, and a coat. And a proper hat.
He ushers Levin out.
EXT. L'ANGLETERRE RESTAURANT, MOSCOW--DAY
Firstly, a Moscow street scene, busy with people going about their business,
on foot and in conveyances.
Secondly, Levin approaches L'Angleterre in his new fur-collared coat, top
hat and boots.
17
INT. L'ANGLETERRE RESTAURANT, MOSCOW--
NIGHT
Oblonsky and Levin preside over the debris of three dozen oysters, with
champagne in a bucket to hand. Oblonsky is in a maudlin mood, afloat
on champagne.
OBLONSKY
It's so unfair. You marry for love, you're
a good husband. Children arrive. Years
depart. And all of a sudden your wife is
tired, her hair is thin, her body . . . while
you yourself still have your . . . vigour . . .
and you find yourself distracted by a pretty
woman . . .
LEVIN
Forgive me, but I find that incomprehen-
sible . . . As though I'd leave this restaurant
and steal a roll from a baker's shop.
OBLONSKY
Well, you know, a freshly baked roll . . .
LEVIN
But I'm talking about love, and you're talk-
ing about . . . your appetite.
OBLONSKY
Easily confused. Now look, do you know
Count Vronsky?
LEVIN
Who? No. Why?
18
OBLONSKY
He's your rival. He turned up from St.
Petersburg after you left.
LEVIN
(AGHAST)
Who is he?
OBLONSKY
(CHANGING TACK)
You don't have to worry about him. He's
one of those rich, good-looking cavalry offi-
cers who've got nothing to do but make love
to pretty women . . .
A waiter arrives to remove the oyster shells, while an Elderly Waiter places
a bowl of soup in front of Levin and a lobster in front of Oblonsky.
OBLONSKY (CONT'D)
Cabbage soup?
ELDERLY WAITER
Potage aux choux a la Russe, as the gentle-
man ordered.
LEVIN
It's what I wanted.
Oblonsky laughs. The Waiter departs.
LEVIN (CONT'D)
(ANGRY)
Understand that for me, tonight is a ques-
tion of life and death.
19
OBLONSKY
Oh, Kostya! Kitty would be mad to refuse
you. And Dolly is on your side, you know.
She says her sister Kitty was always meant
to be your wife and will be.
Levin jumps up in elation, collects himself, and sits.
LEVIN
Dolly said that? I've always thought your
Dolly's a gem.
OBLONSKY
Oh, she is, she is . . .
(THOUGHTFULLY)
I loved her to distraction.
INT. (ST. PETERSBURG)--NIGHT
A little out of focus and further obscured by puffs of steam, the wheels
of a locomotive and its tender plus a carriage or two, with part of the
superstructure--the whole kit and caboodle turning out to be a rich child's
table-top model railway--go by the Camera like a WIPE revealing the
momentarily gigantic face of Anna . . . who is crouching down to watch
the toy go by.
INT. DAY NURSERY, KARENIN HOUSE--DAY
Serozha is at present snivelling.
SEROZHA
But why?
20
ANNA
Because that's where Aunt Dolly lives.
SEROZHA
But why?
ANNA
(PATIENTLY)
I told you, Serozha. She's not well. I must
go to see her.
SEROZHA
But why?
ANNA
Now, don't make Mama cry. I'll be back
before you know, and bring you a present.
SEROZHA
Don't want a present. I want you to stay.
Anna is on the brink of tears.
ANNA
Oh . . . my little Kutik . . .
SEROZHA
What present?
ANNA
That's better.
She dabs her eyes.
21
INT. KARENIN HOUSE--NIGHT
Kapitonich, the Karenins' Hall Porter, an "old soldier," comes out of the
house to where a private carriage is waiting. The coachman is Konrad.
Anna comes out with Annushka, who has a large soft bag containing
everything her mistress needs for the journey. Kapitonich holds the carriage
door for them.
INT. MOVING TRAIN--NIGHT
Anna has a window seat. Next to her is Annushka.
In the opposite window seat is Countess Vronsky, at sixty losing the battle to
keep her youthful beauty. She has a lap dog (and perhaps a Fabergé-topped
walking cane). Next to her is her Maid.
Anna is not happy to be leaving. She holds a small framed photo of Sero-
zha, which she then puts away in her red bag. Countess Vronsky smiles at
her. Anna wipes her eyes, explains.
ANNA
It's the first time I've left my little boy.
COUNTESS VRONSKY
So you are leaving your son and I am return-
ing to mine. I am Countess Vronsky.
Anna knows the name.
countess vronsky (cont'd)
I've been in St. Petersburg for the christen-
ing of a granddaughter--my elder son mar-
ried Princess Chirkov. You're a charming
creature. Why don't I know you?
22
ANNA
I've never been in Moscow society, really.
COUNTESS VRONSKY
But you know my name?
ANNA
I've heard you mentioned . . .
COUNTESS VRONSKY
Talked about, you mean. Ah, love!
Anna, found out, smiles tentatively.
ANNA
Was it love?
COUNTESS VRONSKY
Always. My sons are ashamed of me. But I'd
rather end up wishing I hadn't than end up
wishing I had--wouldn't you?
ANNA
I . . . I don't know . . .
Anna looks at the snow on the window. She is unsettled by the conversation.
EXT. SHCHERBATSKY HOUSE. MOSCOW--NIGHT
A sleigh (i.e., a cab) brings Levin.
23
INT. ENTRANCE HALL, SHCHERBATSKY HOUSE,
SAME TIME--NIGHT
The Hall Porter lets Levin into the house. A Footman takes Levin's hat
and coat. Levin is uneasy--he seems to be first to arrive. He decides he has
come too early. He pulls his coat back from the Footman.
LEVIN
I'll come back.
UP ABOVE
Princess Ekaterina (Kitty) Shcherbatsky is eighteen. Eager to see who has
arrived, she hurries from the direction of the reception room and looks down
into the entrance hall in time to see Levin snatch his hat back from the
Footman.
KITTY
Konstantin!
LEVIN
I'm too early.
KITTY
(PLEASED)
No! Come up!
DOWN BELOW
Kitty runs off out of Levin's view. He flings his hat and coat at the Foot-
man and runs up the stairs.
24
INT. RECEPTION ROOM, SHCHERBATSKY HOUSE,
SAME TIME--NIGHT
Levin hurries in and finds Kitty seated prettily in a "receiving" pose. She
is alone.
KITTY
Look at me! I'm receiving for Papa and
Maman who are late to dress. It's my first
reception.
Levin plays along, kissing her hand elaborately.
LEVIN
Princess Ekaterina! Delighted, delighted!
KITTY
( FORMAL)
I'm so pleased you were able to be with us,
Konstantin Dmitrich!
LEVIN
(DROPPING IT)
Kitty . . . you look . . . you look--
KITTY
Stiva told us you were back. How long are
you staying?
LEVIN
I don't know. It depends on you.
KITTY
On me?
25
He has got ahead of himself. Doors are flung open and the hosts, Prince and
Princess Shcherbatsky, and a crowd of guests who have arrived together, are
greeting each other. Levin has to make a quick decision, and he makes the
wrong one--to go on.
LEVIN
What I mean to say--I came with only one
purpose--I want to--will you be my wife?
Kitty panics. A wave of Guests is almost upon her.
LEVIN (CONT'D)
I'm sorry--sorry--wrong moment--but
will you?
KITTY
I can't. I'm sorry.
Kitty flees. Levin seems stunned, surrounded now by greetings, laughter,
and servants with trays of drinks.
LEVIN
Yes. It was impossible.
Prince and Princess Shcherbatsky receive a young married member of Kitty's
set, Countess Nordston . . . and introduce Levin, who hears and sees noth-
ing. He turns away, leaving the Countess hung out to dry.
Levin finds himself face to face with Burisov, a silky Officer in sky blue
uniform, who introduces himself.
BURISOV
Burisov. Are you the brother of Nikolai
Levin?
26
LEVIN
Yes.
BURISOV
He's in Moscow, he's staying at the Unicorn
in Khitrovka.
LEVIN
How do you know?
BURISOV
(SMILES)
It's the sort of thing I know.
He bows to Levin and turns away to greet someone.
Levin reacts, decides to leave. He makes for the door. He nearly collides
with someone, gives and receives an apology, and suddenly understands who
this man in Guards uniform must be. Levin turns.
LEVIN
Count Vronsky?
VRONSKY
Yes.
Levin pauses awkwardly. Vronsky hesitates, bows and continues on. Levin
witnesses Kitty seeing Vronsky approaching, and sees her face light up.
Vronsky kisses her hand.
VRONSKY (CONT'D)
(BANTERING)
Princess Kitty . . . It's been so long, and yet
it seems like yesterday.
His banter is lost on her. She laughs happily.
27
KITTY
It was yesterday!
Levin turns away and leaves.
EXT. SHCHERBATSKY HOUSE--NIGHT
Levin comes out of the grand house where several coaches are waiting. Hum-
bled and angry with himself and the world, he takes off his top hat and
considers putting his fist through it, but jams it back on his head. A horse-
cab comes along. Levin waves it down.
EXT. KHITROVKA, MOSCOW--NIGHT
A mean street, an area of poverty and crime. Levin pays off his cab.
INT. THE UNICORN, KHITROVKA--NIGHT
Levin goes up a dimly lit, dingy staircase. Snatches of MUSIC and SING-
ING drift up the stairs.
TOP OF THE STAIRS
Levin knocks at a door, then louder. The door is flung open. Nikolai
Levin is the spirit of consumptive, bohemian radicalism. He peers at Levin,
surprised.
LEVIN
It's Kostya.
Nikolai roars with laughter which turns to wheezing.
28