L'anneau de Cassandra

This adaptation of Danielle Steel's novel is something that has stayed imprinted on my memory for some time.

So many war films cast the Germans as the "baddies" but, here, the devastation wrought to individual lives by World War II leaves us no option but to feel pity for the main characters involved, regardless of which side they represent. Once we leave behind the horrors of war-torn Berlin, we are taken on an emotional journey as three individuals strive to find each other across the world in the ensuing administrational chaos. We cannot help but will them to succeed; we cry with them, we smile with them.

The detail within this story is extraordinary. Almost every line of script is vital to the plot, as it twists and turns, with fate proving as cruel as it is kind. Every word is entirely believable, realistic, heartfelt. We follow the characters in their affluence, their desperation, their happiness and their grief. Having never read the novel, I do not know quite who to praise, whether it be the original story or the adaptation, but the filmmakers have ensured every fine detail is correct. There are no errors in the chronology (save one), even down to dates on gravestones. Each connection from one location to another is plausible and well-worked. The Jewish scenes are faultless, including the passages in Hebrew. The traits within each character never waver, and are even given depth and history, no more so than Giselle's selfishness and her father's mercenary ways. The interplay between the characters is perfect as well, such as between Sam and Ruth. We sympathise with both sides of their debate as they try to do the best for their son. The strong female themes that run stronger and stronger through the film are entirely realistic, with so many different women, each with strengths and flaws, crossing our characters' paths.

For me, this film appeals on so many different levels. As someone fascinated by World War II history, is shows a stark reality often forgotten for those of us on the winning side. As a genealogist, the detective work of finding individuals is thrilling. As a Jew, Ariana's involvement with a Jewish family is the right mix of touching and nervy. As a hopeless romantic, and one who loves chick-flicks, this is a must, and I cry every time!

This sweeping tale by Danielle Steel has a surprisingly moving and well constructed story. It is imaginative plausible enough and doesn't cover familiar WW2 fiction territory.

Nastassja Kinski is beautiful and perfectly cast as Ariana a good German girl. She gets separated from her father and brother during the War. Her brother ends up in Switzerland and she endures the War in Berlin. Their journey sends her to New York and her brother to Paris. Because their names are changed and other things they are unable to reconnect.

The characters are interesting and not one dimesional. There are quite a few emotionally involving moments.

Very entertaining and moving.

Caution is usually advised when a movie with the words "Danielle" and "Steel" in the title is on, and "Danielle Steel's The Ring" is no exception. Going from laughable to mildly watchable, this two-parter sees Nastassja Kinski as the grown-up daughter of a wealthy German couple - the female part of which committed suicide after the Nazis killed her Jewish lover - whose life falls apart in the wake of WWII; separated from her father and brother, loses her lover in the fall of Berlin, goes to the US disguised as a Jew...

Though the beautiful Miss Kinski is for most of the film at least ten years too old for her role (given a hand by the cinematographer), she holds this often ridiculous tale together - too many coincidences and silly dialogue make it hard to take seriously, and Michel Legrand's score works overtime to fill in what the plot and in some cases the actors don't provide. (The actress playing our heroine's brother's wife is a particularly strong liability.) And yet, somehow I had to admit the conclusion did work... or maybe I'm just a big softy at heart. Not a must, but not as unbearable as I had thought it would be.

I read the book The Ring, by Danielle Steel, when i was around 13 or 14, and very quickly became hooked on all of her books. This was one of her best works, and I often re-read it, and knew the story inside out. Often wished they would turn it into a film, but it never happened.

Life moves on, and as teenage years turn into adulthood, lo and behold, what do i accidentally come across on TV during the Easter holidays, but Danielle Steel's "The Ring"! WOW!! What I had been waiting for, all those years ago! This TV movie didn't quite meet up to my expectations of how the story would look on screen, but its an excellent effort. The cast is pretty good - (Manfred is lovely!!) and lets just say, at the beginning, during and after I often found tears running down my cheeks.

Recommended if you have read the book, but still recommended even if you haven't. I admit, most of Danielle Steel's stuff is pretty corny, with disaster following disaster, then happy ending, but, just lose yourself in the film, take it as it is meant, and enjoy!!! I did!

Natashja Kinski provides a wonderful and inspiring performance of this tear jerker. A truly great performance for a made-for-TV movie. All the supporting roles were acted magnificently and appeared to be historically correct.

I paid less than $7.00 for this 3 hour gem from Columbia House. I was born at the start of WWII and can relate to this masterpiece. Danielle Steel has created another great story and I have enjoyed collecting over 16 of her dramas on DVD.

My only regret was Michael York's character was killed off too early in the film. However the drama and suspense of the siblings separation holds the drama together with suspense until the end.