The story takes place in the late 19th century Russia. Count Alexey Vronsky, a dashing aristocrat, meets Anna Karenina, the young and charming wife of an influential government official. After a brief meeting, the two become infatuated with each other. For both, this relationship turns out to be the first true love — so strong, in fact, that desperate Anna chooses to break the upper class conventions and elope with Vronsky leaving her husband and son in St. Petersburg. But the love fairytale ends shortly, as fate puts their feelings to the test.