Philippe De Lacy

In 1935, Greta Garbo starred in one of her finest and best-loved talkies, Anna Karenina. In 1927, she starred in this loosely adapted silent version of Leo Tolstoy's novel, a film that today provides an intriguing opportunity for a before-and-after comparison of the actress in the same role and remains an intriguing film in its own right. Love captures Garbo near the start of her career - a mere 22 and already celebrated as both a gifted artist and screen goddess. She plays Anna, wife of a Russian nobleman, who surrenders her virtue, her security and her child for the love of a gallant and impetuous officer (John Gilbert, Garbo's off-screen amour). The film's original ads say everything a Garbo devotee needs to hear: "Garbo and Gilbert in Love."

This silent film—and the first adaptation of the 1904 play—was released by Paramount and inspired Walt Disney’s animated version some 30 years later.