Joe Wright’s anticipated new adaptation of Anna Karenina sees him returning to work once more with the Oscar-nominated Keira Knightley (Atonement) for what promises to be one of the most bold and beautiful dramas of the year.

The first trailer for the film was so impressive when it landed last month, and now a wonderful new featurette has debuted online, in which Knightley tells us a little about their approach to the adaptation:

“The rules of a period film have been completely broken. Anna Karenina is a story that’s been done a lot. What is the point in doing a safe adaptation?”

A very good question. And one that suggests we’re in for something rather brilliant this autumn.

Starring alongside Knightley will be a fantastic cast, headed up by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jude Law, Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald, Emily Watson, Domhnall Gleeson, Holliday Grainger, and Olivia Williams.

“The third collaboration of Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley with director Joe Wright, following the award-winning box office successes “Pride & Prejudice” and “Atonement,” is the epic love story “Anna Karenina,” adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard (“Shakespeare in Love”). The story unfolds in its original late-19th-century Russia high-society setting and powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart, from the passion between adulterers to the bond between a mother and her children. As Anna (Ms. Knightley) questions her happiness, change comes to her family, friends, and community.”

Wright is directing from a script by the Oscar-winning Tom Stoppard (Shakespeare in Love), who in turn adapts the original 19th Century novel by Leo Tolstoy.

Anna Karenina will be released in the UK on 7th September, and has been selected as part of the fantastic line-up for this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, where it will make its North American debut, before its release in the US on 9th November – a date that certainly suggests it could be heading towards the Oscars early next year.

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