I have always liked Melissa Gilbert and have watched every movie she is in, whenever possible. I especially liked this movie as Melissa was starring with her husband Bruce Boxleitner. This is a feel good movie of triumph over adversity. Melissa is great with her accent as a Russian Countess and actually losing her accent as the years roll by. If you want to curl up to a chick flick with no violence or swearing, then this is the movie for you. Sometimes us women don't want death and blood and gore in a movie, we just want a simple love story about a woman who is strong enough to live in a man's world. I loved this movie and hope that Melissa makes more of this calibre. Thank you Melissa Gilbert for your hard work.
18 Reviews
Watch the strength of her
jovy-thomas26 November 2006
Danielle Steels's Zoya creates a deep mark in mind. The director has got an astonishing style of portraying the tragic events in the story.At first I realised it when I saw the dying scene of Zoya's military brother. Zoya is telling him that I am going to bake cakes for you.And the dying man says 'Little Zoya, I am not hungry'.This is really heartbreaking.
The script of the movie has a magical way for directly piercing the heart.When Zoya lost her husband and money,we hear from her son telling about their old neighbour, 'She don't want to remember us, because we don't have money'.
Later at a point we see Zoya who is hunted by tragedies, going to the streets with her children.Her friend asks her ' You have future plans?' And she replies, 'Someone once said, if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans' The film's story is fascinating.The anguish of Zoya is handled with a graceful care. It shows the power of mind and love in a woman.It is really worth seeing.
Read all recent reviews
The script of the movie has a magical way for directly piercing the heart.When Zoya lost her husband and money,we hear from her son telling about their old neighbour, 'She don't want to remember us, because we don't have money'.
Later at a point we see Zoya who is hunted by tragedies, going to the streets with her children.Her friend asks her ' You have future plans?' And she replies, 'Someone once said, if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans' The film's story is fascinating.The anguish of Zoya is handled with a graceful care. It shows the power of mind and love in a woman.It is really worth seeing.
Read all recent reviews
Wait for a rainy day and put the kettle on!
tupolev-212 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
For what appears to me, at first to be yet another mass-produced, made for television romantic schmuck-fest, this film is quite entertaining and educational. Not too sure about Melissa Gilbert's accent but her acting certainly makes up for it. Packed full of tragedy, I can imagine this would appeal to the midday watchers who like a good early afternoon weep. It does however beg the question - how much death and disorder can one woman cope with in her life and still remain sane? The filming locations are superb especially Leningrad and it's one of those stories that make you want to learn more about this period in history - the Russian Revolution. Although it cannot compare with the superior "Nicholas and Alexandra", it nonetheless compliments the era and provides a very entertaining few hours. The shot of the Aeroflot IL-86 in the old Soviet Airlines livery is well worth the wait for aviation nerds too! I think it's a good rainy afternoon film and worth having in your collection.
Major Snorefest
suessis30 August 2001
Melissa Gilbert is a so-so actress. She really doesn't vary a lot in the roles she plays so she can hide that fact fairly well. Who ever told her that she could play a Russian countess though needs to have their head examined. Her accent is hideous, and it makes her sound like a foghorn.
Diana Rigg and David Warner must have been having a slow year that they would take a job in this turkey, and young Samuel West is wasted in his few moments of air time as the countess' soldier brother.
The performances of the actors playing her children are mediocre as is the plot line involving the daughter. The girl makes it clear that her angst has to do with feeling ignored by her mother. In fact, during the scene where Zoya announces that she is going to have a child with her second husband she practically screams it. They could have resolved the relationship a lot sooner.
The one good thing that I can say about this is show is that at least the costumes, makeup, and hair look great. Everyone looks great even when they are supposed to have been traveling for days without benefit of a visit to the Imperial Hairdresser.
Diana Rigg and David Warner must have been having a slow year that they would take a job in this turkey, and young Samuel West is wasted in his few moments of air time as the countess' soldier brother.
The performances of the actors playing her children are mediocre as is the plot line involving the daughter. The girl makes it clear that her angst has to do with feeling ignored by her mother. In fact, during the scene where Zoya announces that she is going to have a child with her second husband she practically screams it. They could have resolved the relationship a lot sooner.
The one good thing that I can say about this is show is that at least the costumes, makeup, and hair look great. Everyone looks great even when they are supposed to have been traveling for days without benefit of a visit to the Imperial Hairdresser.
Tragedy and triumph for a Russian countess
phd_travel18 March 2019
There are some great points about this sweeping tale of Zoya a Russian countess from her flight from Russia during the revolution to her ballet days in Paris. Swept off her feet by an American soldier she endures the 29 crash and losing her husband. And that is just the first part. She sure gets more than her share of loss and tragedy. The good points of this series are an on location filming in Russia. And the story intertwines with the revolution and the Romanovs quite nicely. Ballet is the link from the beginning to the end and it's quite touching.
Melissa Gilbert isn't the perfect choice for this movie. She comes across as not very Russian. And her accent was jarring at times. Look out for early Jennifer Garner playing Zoya's troubled daughter.
Not Danielle Steel's best but pretty good.
Melissa Gilbert isn't the perfect choice for this movie. She comes across as not very Russian. And her accent was jarring at times. Look out for early Jennifer Garner playing Zoya's troubled daughter.
Not Danielle Steel's best but pretty good.
I would recommend this move to anyone who wants to view a story that presents enduring love and perseverance.
beancounter514 November 2005
This is a beautiful love story....but it is also an excellent example of patience, perseverance and never giving up on those you love. It also gives the viewer an insight of how life can make many twists and turns and one must look deep inside themselves to go on and do what is necessary to deal with whatever life throws at you.
It is a story that can inspire young people (especially women) to not be defeated by the curves life throws at them. It also shows how real love can endure through most anything...even death.
This movie moves me to laughter and tears throughout the presentation. It makes me want to pattern my life and ideals after the main characters (Zoya and her husband).
It is a story that can inspire young people (especially women) to not be defeated by the curves life throws at them. It also shows how real love can endure through most anything...even death.
This movie moves me to laughter and tears throughout the presentation. It makes me want to pattern my life and ideals after the main characters (Zoya and her husband).
Well-dressed Chemistry
jlakroyd19 April 2005
Warning: Spoilers
When watching a film or reading a book, I'm not really thinking about whether or not the situation would arise or not. My main concern is the characters and their experiences in the story.I thought the film told the story effectively and that Melissa Gilbert played the title role very well. I did think it strange that even when she was at her lowest ebb, Zoya was the best dressed character in the scene, but maybe that was just because she was the focus of the story and had to stand out. I think the chemistry between Ms. Gilbert and the actor who played her first husband was far more apparent than that with the second, but this role was played by her real husband. What spoiled it though, was that the closer bond was with the second man.It was a pretty accurate dramatization of Danielle Steele's novel.It's a nice DVD to watch while sipping cocoa.
What Do You Expect? It's Danielle Steele
annlevtex24 August 2020
OK not EVERY Danielle Steele story is the same, but enough of them are that you know what's coming. Tragedy, triumph, death, birth, war, precipitous rises and falls and rises agains, maybe a kidnapping or crash, that sort of thing. The heroine always has hair that is platinum blonde, jet black, or red. No dirty blondes or chestnut browns. She (Steele) has an often misplaced crush on the Aristocracy, even if said class and even actual characters perpetrated horrors or were just plain horrible (I speak of historic figures, not her fictionalized ones, but still). Never mind that, nothing to see here. I'll always have a soft spot for Gilbert, but she is miscast because frankly she isn't beautiful. Attractive, but not beautiful. And they have her cast as a supposed 17-year-old? Just no. I didn't know it was Jennifer Garner playing her daughter. Interesting. She also looks too old for the role, but I guess that's what happens when you have to age as the story progresses. WTH is Diana Rigg doing in this? Nice costumes. Also, I love the guy who played Simon. He's a doll. I think he also played Frank Sinatra in something.
absolutely great!
danjelclaassen12 January 2004
Well I really loved this film! Melissa Gilbert knows how to portrait a young aristocratic woman who has to struggle through life all by herself very well! Also Diana Rigg, who plays her grandmother and the other characters in the movie a great! A must to see!!!!!!!!!!!
As a guy.. Takes a bit to get into then loved it. So tragic.
griplegend11 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I think it definetly takes a while to warm upto and would help if your familiar with the differences women are brought up with in comparison to men. Wuite a cerebral.film... but would work as a casual casual shoot the shot ...family movie of sorts...So truly tragic and brilliant of sorts. But wouldnt get any awards! Its not exceptional in any of your typical areas but it does something well and is cohesive.
Im definetly going to rewatch it one of these days. It got to me. What can I say? I watched it some days ago now.
But i do wish some things were more obvious than they are. Suppose thats the format. Like throwing a woman on a bed is euphemism for sex. Or something. Fades to next scene.
Anyways... Its not an action film but a slow drama thing. Go into it knowing that.
Im definetly going to rewatch it one of these days. It got to me. What can I say? I watched it some days ago now.
But i do wish some things were more obvious than they are. Suppose thats the format. Like throwing a woman on a bed is euphemism for sex. Or something. Fades to next scene.
Anyways... Its not an action film but a slow drama thing. Go into it knowing that.
Not as alive as the book
omogenikky28 December 2007
For someone who has read the book, I find this movie version such a mis-representation of the characters. The film's Zoya is so different from the dignified Countess Zoya of the book; in the film, she is a talkative chatterbox much like the Russian bride stereotype of nowadays. The storyline is also very different from the book - as can be expected. However the central plot remains the same, overcoming tragedy and learning to appreciate the good things of live - especially family and the people we love. All in all, I would recommend the film to anyone, if only for the history learnt from the different generations that are spanned in the movie.
Very poor indeed - don't watch it if you're feeling suicidal............
ianlouisiana19 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This travesty was on Freeview last night - divided into two 2 hour segments.
It was so bad I can only think - in it's defence that it had been cut to ribbons in order to fit in ads for Old Persons' Funeral Insurance and ambulance chasing lawyers.
I am not an admirer of Miss Steele's oeuvre but she surely didn't deserve this barbarity.
Countess Zoya seemed to have lost a child somewhere along the line between commercials; random characters turned up and disappeared again,accents changed at will,noone seemed to age except in the last reel when huge amounts of make - up were splashed on Miss Gilbert's face and she gamely tried to walk like an old lady.
Miss Diana Rigg and Mr David Warner were awful and he vanished with a speed that was almost rude - for which I was grateful.
The print was faded and scratchy,the soundtrack - thankfully - muffled.
I don't know why I watched it.
Oh yes I do ...there was even worse rubbish on the other 105 channels.
Not usually a fan of Danielle Steele, but...
sally-10011 March 2004
I admit that I usually despise Danielle Steele miniseries, but this is one that I feel amazingly tolerant towards.
Believable? No. Historically accurate? Not even close. Still, it's a fairly innocuous way to pass an afternoon should you chance upon in on Lifetime (where it used to appear with some frequency).
I will happily admit that I started watching it because Bruce Boxleitner was my first television crush (this was way back in his Scarecrow and Mrs. King days), but once I got into the story, I realized that it was like an entire soap opera compressed into four hours. If you are wanting to watch something and admire the acting and the riveting dialogue, look elsewhere. If you want a few hours of mindless but still entertaining popcorn fun, this might be for you.
PS--It's interesting to note that the daughter in the movie is played by a very pre-Alias Jennifer Garner.
Believable? No. Historically accurate? Not even close. Still, it's a fairly innocuous way to pass an afternoon should you chance upon in on Lifetime (where it used to appear with some frequency).
I will happily admit that I started watching it because Bruce Boxleitner was my first television crush (this was way back in his Scarecrow and Mrs. King days), but once I got into the story, I realized that it was like an entire soap opera compressed into four hours. If you are wanting to watch something and admire the acting and the riveting dialogue, look elsewhere. If you want a few hours of mindless but still entertaining popcorn fun, this might be for you.
PS--It's interesting to note that the daughter in the movie is played by a very pre-Alias Jennifer Garner.
Blech
rollobiscuits10 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Hated it. I can offer no good comments about this. We wanted to watch it because we're fans of Sam West. In the biggest slight an actor can face, his voice is dubbed out in a horrid Australian-New Jersey-Sean Bean kind of voice. Understandably, West's voice is not stereotypically Russian but then why cast him? So reminiscent of the "Paging Mr. Herman" scene from Pee-Wee's Big Adventure.
In addition, can we talk about Melissa Gilbert being the worst person cast as a Russian noble-turned ballet dancer? She is far too busty and too old for this role.
Worthless piece of tripe.
The dog is cute. That is the only thing that can be said for this, God help me I've run out of adjectives that mean bad.
In addition, can we talk about Melissa Gilbert being the worst person cast as a Russian noble-turned ballet dancer? She is far too busty and too old for this role.
Worthless piece of tripe.
The dog is cute. That is the only thing that can be said for this, God help me I've run out of adjectives that mean bad.
OK viewing for a rainy afternoon
karenjanemcgill2 February 2017
Melissa Gilbert's attempt at a Russian accent is on a par with Dick Van Dyke's cockney accent. If not for Melissa's particularly distracting accent, I would have awarded this film 7 out of 10.
The amount of tragedy in one person's lifetime is unconvincing. In my humble opinion, the movie should have ended at the halfway point but it lumbered on past its best.
It's neither the best nor the worst romantic movie I've seen. One plus is that it's suitable for all the family. However, any males in the household may well lose the will to live!
In conclusion, this movie is OK viewing for a rainy afternoon.
The amount of tragedy in one person's lifetime is unconvincing. In my humble opinion, the movie should have ended at the halfway point but it lumbered on past its best.
It's neither the best nor the worst romantic movie I've seen. One plus is that it's suitable for all the family. However, any males in the household may well lose the will to live!
In conclusion, this movie is OK viewing for a rainy afternoon.
A truly enjoyable film.
rainchild47 January 2001
I saw this movie just yesterday on "Liftetime", and immediately I wanted to know where I could buy it. I was attracted to it at first because of Melissa Gilbert, as she is my favorite actress, but the uniqueness and romance of the film is what kept me interested. I enjoy love stories, and this was a wonderful one. It gave me a new understanding of what effect war has on family and friends of those who fight in it. I truly enjoyed this movie, I recommend it very highly.
romanticized
mysticowl14 February 2003
Well, it is. A very romanticized version of life of aristocrats in exile. The funniest moment was when Zoya revealed that she brought the Faberge egg with her into Communist Russia. It would have been confiscated on the border as a national treasure, she wouldn't even have been compensated.
Zoya herself has too many late-20th century values for my tastes. Like her wanting to be a dancer, when most dancers of her culture and era were, in fact, courtesans. Her marrying a jewish man, while tsarist russia was very antisemitic. Well, it's a cute fairy tale anyway.
Zoya herself has too many late-20th century values for my tastes. Like her wanting to be a dancer, when most dancers of her culture and era were, in fact, courtesans. Her marrying a jewish man, while tsarist russia was very antisemitic. Well, it's a cute fairy tale anyway.
Typical Danielle Steele
QuaidFan30 November 1999
If you like Danielle Steele, you'll like this.
Hmmm.
No, that's not enough. How about, if you have a high tolerance for predictable nonsense then you might enjoy this?
Personally I only watched it because of Bruce Boxleitner, star of "Babylon 5". As you will no doubt realize if you have seen this, that is not really a valid reason for staying for the duration!
Ah well, it's (very) soapy but it's a fair enough way to waste a couple of hours.
Hmmm.
No, that's not enough. How about, if you have a high tolerance for predictable nonsense then you might enjoy this?
Personally I only watched it because of Bruce Boxleitner, star of "Babylon 5". As you will no doubt realize if you have seen this, that is not really a valid reason for staying for the duration!
Ah well, it's (very) soapy but it's a fair enough way to waste a couple of hours.
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