"A Journey to the Past" was written with the "context clues" of Anastasia in mind.  I'm not saying this is what the animators thought happened, I'm not saying this is what happened/should have happened, and I'm not saying this is what you must believe.  It's simply a little story that got into my head one night and wouldn't leave.  :)

It's for older audiences, but not because of language, violence, drugs, or anything else you may be thinking.  It's a mature story, for those who understand life and history, and wish to see life from another viewpoint.

I truly believe that in order to understand a story, we must know a past.  We must know where the character came from in order to understand why they do what they do.  We must try and become involved in their hardships, their loves, and their truths.  I hope that "A Journey to the Past" will help you to understand the key players of Anastasia a little better, or at least help you to draw your own conclusions.

This story does deal with topics such as the Russian Revolution, Soviet Russia, and the Soviets in their treatment towards others, as well as how the "innocent bystanders" caught up in that whirlwind period of time survived.  I hope that not only will it help you learn about the period a little, but also about what might cause the Russians in Russia to react the way they do now and what problems they face.

So, without much ado, I present the KEY characters (there's too many smaller ones to write about) of "A Journey to the Past" and a short, hopefully non-spoiler summary of them (more profiles will be added as I get more of the story up, so keep checking back):

Vladimir Vasilovich - At the beginning of the story he is 25.  He's sentimental and emotional, and tries to hold on to the people around him that he loves after a recent tragedy in his family.

Lara Vasilovich - The only daughter in the family, Lara should be well-behaved young lady -- instead she's fiery and intellectual, with a melodramatic streak.  She and Vlad have a very close relationship, and she's determined to marry for love and not status as her mother advises.

Sophie Smorokov-Smirnoff - Fresh from Paris, Sophie is the Vasilovich's new neighbor.  Her bubbly excitement for life shakes the stiff Russian Royals worlds.

Mikhail Geriiovich Moisse - He and Lara are deeply in love, and would be together except for one small problem -- he's a Jew in a very Orthodox world.

Dimitri Mikhailovich Leongard - Yes, it's our boy Dimitri, starting the story here at 10.  A dreamer, Dimitri sees a life ahead for himself that no one else even tries to comprehend.  He's ambitious and smart, as well as streetwise and suspicious.  Very little can get past him.

The Dowager Empress Marie - Strong yet heartbroken, Marie has to try and find the strength to hold on to hope, as well as come to terms with her guilt over losing Anastasia.

Aleksander Vasha - Rich and privileged, Alek has had a secret crush on Sophie since before the Revolution -- but can he persuade her to love him back during the absence of Vlad?

Anastasia "Anya" Romanov - Anya, a lost princess in the guise of a fiery and witty orphan, is the first woman that Dimitri's ever had a clash with -- or learned to love.

Onward to A Journey to the Past!

© 1999 - 2000 AnyaMuse@aol.com
© 1999 - 2000 AnyaCI@aol.com