On a journey to Moscow to sort out her brother"s troubled marriage, married noblewoman Anna Karenina meets the dashing Count Vronsky, who falls madly in love with her. Anna tries to resist his advances, but they embark on a passionate affair.

Confronted with Anna"s betrayal, her husband, Karenin, seeks to arrange a divorce. Anna gives birth to Vronsky"s daughter, but the difficult childbirth leaves her at death"s door. Anna begs Karenin to forgive her and Vronsky, which leads Vronsky to commit a desperate act.

As Vronsky recovers from his wounds, he and Anna realize they cannot bear to be apart any longer. The lovers flee to Italy, where they can masquerade as a married couple. But when they grow homesick, they return to Russia and face social ostracization.

Eager for a divorce from Karenin, Anna appeals to her brother for help, but her husband proves resistant to their efforts. Anna grows increasingly jealous and insecure, driving a wedge into her relationship with Vronsky until she takes control of her destiny at last.