http://players.brightcove.net/4838167533001/BkZprOmV_default/index.html?videoId=4913614615001

One of the films we certainly have our eye on in the upcoming film awards season is Joe Wright’s adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina,” with Keira Knightley in the titular role. If nothing else, we can assume the crafts on display will be lush and exceptional (given the talent involved), and indeed, the first trailer for the film indicates just that.

There is no shortage of lavish period pieces this year, actually. In addition to Wright’s film there’s Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained,” Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby,” Tom Hooper’s “Les Misérables,” Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” and Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi,” to say nothing of subtler period accents in films like “Argo” and “The Master.”

Guy was a bit down on the film in the fields he was charged with predicting in our recent update, but I beg to differ. I don’t think there’s anything on the outside that indicates — yet — that there’s much to worry about. Still, “sure things” are cast away in Oscar season after Oscar season. We’ll have to wait and see how this one turns out.

Focus’ synopsis of the film reads thusly:

“The third collaboration of Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley with director Joe Wright, following the award-winning box office successes ‘Pride & Prejudice’ and ‘Atonement,’ is the epic love story ‘Anna Karenina,’ adapted from Leo Tolstoy”s classic novel by Academy Award winner Tom Stoppard (‘Shakespeare in Love’). The story unfolds in its original late-19th-century Russia high-society setting and powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human heart, from the passion between adulterers to the bond between a mother and her children. As Anna (Ms. Knightley) questions her happiness, change comes to her family, friends, and community.”

Other stars include Aaron Johnson, Matthew Macfayden, Olivia Williams and Emily Watson.

The above-mentioned crafts personnel, meanwhile, is exceptional: Seamus McGarvey, Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer, Jacqueline Durran, etc. All Wright standbys.

Check out the new trailer below embedded at the top of this post.