Ingrid Bergman 1956 Oscar
Thursday, May 1st, 20081956 marked a momentous year for Ingrid Bergman, the actress of Casablanca fame. She starred in the critically acclaimed (though box office flop) Elena and Her Men and played another leading role in the well-accepted Anastasia. It was not until after the latter film was done, however, that Bergman received her greatest surprise: an Oscar for her role in Anastasia as the lead lady. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Her role was a complex one in Anastasia. She played a confused, disoriented French girl who is paraded around as Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia. She must convince a nation – including the Dowager Empress – that she is the real deal. Before being announced to be officially wed, however, she runs off with her true love, a general played by Yul Brynner.
Though an animated version was made in 1997 based on the original movie, it never managed to emulate Bergman’s fire as the would-be Duchess.
Anastasia movie trailer starring Ingrid Bergman and Yul Brynner: