World History II
J. Kononov
25 Points
Name________________________
Period_____Date______________
Motion Picture Analysis
Fingers grabbing handfuls of over-buttered popcorn, your mouth chewing Good and Plenty candy, your body sinking into distinctly cushy, but often-uncomfortable seats, the darkness enveloping the room as all eyes are drawn into the quickly-changing images on the screen . . .
Usually when we think of being "at the movies," we visual a standard theatre with these kind of physical sensations.
But studying film moves beyond the first impressions we get in the movie theatre. When we study film, we begin to think critically about what is being seen, heard, and imagined.
Title of film: ________________________________________________
What do you think you will see in this motion picture? List Three concepts or ideas that you might expect to see based on the title of the film. List some people you might expect to see based on the title of the film.
BEFORE VIEWING:
Concepts/Ideas/People
1.________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________
1.________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________
VIEWING:
A. Type of motion picture (check where applicable)
____ Animated cartoon
____ Documentary film
____ Newsreel
____ Propaganda film
____ Theatrical short subject
B. Physical qualities of the motion picture
(check where applicable)
____ Music
____ Narration
____ Special effects
____ Color
____ Live action
____ Background noise
____ Animation
____ Dramatization
____ Training film
____ Combat film
____ Other
C. What is the mood or tone of the film? (manner of expression – e.g. angry, firm, happy, etc)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
POST-VIEWING PART 1
A. Circle the things that you listed in the previewing activity that were validated by your viewing of the motion picture.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
#___

B. What is the purpose of the film?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
C. List two things this motion picture tells you about life in Russia the time it was made:
1. ___________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________
D. What (if any) information do you gain about this event that would not be conveyed by a written source? Be specific.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
POST VIEWING: PART 2 (25 points)
Write an analysis using the following guidelines. You can use your notes, study guides, and the Internet resources about the Russian Revolution that I have posted on Scoodle. Remember I want YOUR thoughts, not what people have said on the
Internet, so please do not randomly search Google. These sources are accurate and credible. *Please post your analysis on Scoodle.

1 st Paragraph – Write a brief summary of the film. This will be factual information based on the story told in the Film.

2 nd

Paragraph – This should be your largest paragraph.
Explain how the film related to your studies in World History. Did the film
 expand your understanding of the World History experience?
What’s wrong with Anastasia? Center your review on the question of historical accuracy. Examine the strengths and weaknesses of the film from an historical viewpoint. You may need to refer to the historical information (e.g. study guide, notes, textbook, ABC-CLIO, etc). As you analyze the historical accuracy of the film, do not generalize. Use specific examples from the film and the historical text. [For example, Rasputin dies in 1916 according to history, but the story begins in 1916, when Rasputin returns to seek revenge through a curse to destroy the Romanov Family. According to Mrs.
Kononov’s notes and the World History Database, Rasputin never sought to destroy the family, he was supportive to the Czar’s family. In fact, his supportive role in the government created tension
between the monarchy and the citizens, which will lead to the Russian Revolution.]

Events to consider: Events leading to the Revolution, Storming of the Winter
Palace, flight of the Romanov Family, Influence of Rasputin, Rise of Communism and Lenin, Russian Civil War – Reds vs. Whites, etc

3 rd Paragraph - Give your own personal evaluation of the film. For example, did you learn enough from it to justify the time spent watching it? Did you enjoy it? Would you recommend it to another student, parent, relative, friend? Why or why not? Finally, make suggestions to Directors, Don Bluth and Gary Goldman, as well as the screenplay writers on how they could have made this story more historically accurate. What are the advantages of making a film accurate? What are the disadvantages?
SEE RUBRIC ON SCOODLE