10 Soviet fairy tales that will help you remember your childhood

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Watch these films if you want to feel nostalgic and immerse yourself in magical worlds.

1. An ordinary miracle

• USSR, 1979.
• Comedy, fairy tale, musical, melodrama.
• Duration: 137 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

The bored Wizard turned the Bear into a man - the spell will break only after the kiss of a beautiful princess. The unfortunate beast finds this after seven years of wandering in human form. But the trouble is that he himself falls in love with the girl. So there seems to be no happy ending.

The fairy tale-parable of Mark Zakharov has long become an imperishable classic of Russian cinema. Musical numbers from the film turned into hits, and comic inserts were eventually broken into aphorisms and memes.

2. Evenings on a farm near Dikanka (Night before Christmas)

• USSR, 1961.
• Comedy, fantasy, melodrama, fairy tale.
• Duration: 66 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

The blacksmith Vakula is trying to win the heart of Oksana, the main beauty of the farm and the daughter of a local rich man. Spoiled and narcissistic, Oksana promises to condescend to Vakula only if he brings her the Empress's own slivers. The young man, distraught with passion, embarks on a journey on which evil spirits, beloved by Gogol, await him: devil, mother-witch and flying dumplings.

The adaptation of Nikolai Gogol's story "The Night Before Christmas" was shot by Alexander Rowe, perhaps the most famous and significant Soviet director-storyteller. The film turned out to be funny and interesting.

3. Cinderella

• USSR, 1947.
• Musical, fairy tale, melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 84 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

The film is based on the tale of Charles Perrault "Cinderella" - everyone knows the story of the poor stepdaughter, nasty stepmother, fairy godmother and handsome prince. The original plot was reworked by the writer, playwright and screenwriter Yevgeny Schwartz. He made the tale more comical and added some characters.

The picture was shot by Nadezhda Kosheverova and Mikhail Shapiro. And it is so fortunate that Cinderella is considered the main work of the directors. The film is distinguished by a special theatricality, a major-humorous tone and skillful musical numbers. And 38-year-old Yanina Zheimo, who played Cinderella, and Faina Ranevskaya as stepmother had such success that even stamps and envelopes began to be produced with them.

By 2009, the fairy tale was restored: the image was cleaned, the sound was repaired and painted.

4. The Adventures of Pinocchio

• USSR, 1976.
• Adventure, musical, fairy tale.
• Duration: 130 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

This is a story about a magic talking log, which, through the efforts of organ-grinder Carlo, turns into a little bully. The tomboy leaves home to study, but instead gets into all kinds of bindings. But each time, with the help of friends, Buratino famously comes out dry.

Watching the two-part film adaptation of the tale by Alexei Tolstoy "The Golden Key, or the Adventures of Pinocchio" is worth at least for the sake of musical numbers, which have long become classic children's hits. The cast also deserves special attention. The film starred Vladimir Etush, Rina Zelyonaya, Rolan Bykov and other famous artists.

5. Old, old tale

• USSR, 1969.
• Fairy tale, musical, tragicomedy.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

Another notable film by Nadezhda Kosheverova, the director of Cinderella. Before you is a fairy tale in a fairy tale. The first of them is about the love of the puppeteer and the innkeeper's daughter. The second is a story played out by the puppets of a master in love. The presentation of the dolls is based on the works of Hans Christian Andersen: "Fire", "Swineherd" and "Fool Hans".

In addition to the ornate plot, the film is distinguished by a kind of "toy", a cheerful vaudeville character of the narration and a joke-reference to the real world. For example, the creepy dogs from the fairy tale "Flame" are hidden behind doors with the inscription "Caution! Angry dogs!"

And they appreciated it. The film was awarded a diploma from the 1968 Venice Film Festival.

6. After the rain, on Thursday …

• USSR, 1986.
• Fantasy, adventure, comedy, fairy tale.
• Duration: 78 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

The story of three Ivanov, one of whom is a prince, the other is a foundling, and the third is the son of a housekeeper. The prince and the foundling are kidnapped, and they are brought up as commoners, and the housekeeper's son grows up in the royal palace. So Ivans would have lived if they had not decided to go to Koshchei for Princess Milolika.

The film was directed by Mikhail Yuzovsky, a famous Soviet master storyteller. The picture became immortal thanks to the excellent acting. What is Oleg Tabakov alone in the role of the charming and sinister Koshchei - a kind of Soviet Joker!

7. Three fat men

• USSR, 1966.
• Adventure, fairy tale.
• Duration: 85 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

Against the cruel rulers - three fat men - a rebellion rises. It is adjoined by the wandering artist Tibulus. His friends are thrown behind bars, and then the troupe of Tibulus takes a risk to save the unjustly imprisoned. They send the gymnast Suok to the fat men, who must pretend to be a doll.

The film based on the fairy tale by Yuri Olesha was directed by Alexey Batalov. He also played the role of the rebel Tibulus. And even rehearsed for several months to walk the tightrope without an understudy.

8. Fire, water and … copper pipes

• USSR, 1968.
• Musical, melodrama, fantasy, fairy tale.
• Duration: 86 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

And one more film by Alexander Rowe in our selection. This time - the story of the adventures of Alyonushka, kidnapped by Koshchei, and her chosen one Vasya. The hero is ready to overcome difficult trials in order to find his betrothed.

The picture turned out to be kind, as if permeated with light - as, indeed, all of Rowe's tales. The magical world with its special atmosphere is created not only by the plot, but also by the colorful and filigree decorations and costumes.

Georgy Millyar, the main villain of Soviet fairy tales, deserves a special mention. He plays both Koschei and Babu Yaga in the film. The actor is so organic in both forms that an unprepared viewer cannot guess the same person in such different characters.

9. Old Man Hottabych

• USSR, 1957.
• Adventure, fairy tale.
• Duration: 86 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

Pioneer Volka finds an ancient vessel and frees a genie from it - Hottabych. The mythical creature, in gratitude, promises to help his savior in everything. However, Hottabych's ideas about blessings are very different from the Volkins. Therefore, funny adventures await new friends.

Director Gennady Kazansky is known as the creator of cult films for children (New Year's Adventures of Masha and Viti, The Snow Queen, Amphibian Man). It was with "Hottabych" that he began his career as a storyteller. "Old Man Hottabych" is a very kind and naive movie that immerses you in the atmosphere of the USSR in the 50s.

10. Frost

• USSR, 1965.
• Fairy tale, melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 84 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 5.

A kind winter story about problems with self-esteem, justice and true love. The main character Nastenka has to endure the machinations of her evil stepmother. Her betrothed Ivan was turned into a bear for his bad temper. Both heroes will have to overcome obstacles to be together. The wizard Morozko helps them in this.

The adaptation of the fairy tale "Frost" is perhaps the most famous creation of director Alexander Rowe. The film is considered a cult film for the domestic cinema, but it gained popularity abroad as well. For example, the picture won the main prize at the Venice Film Festival (children's cinema program). In the Czech Republic, "Morozko" is an integral part of the New Year's TV program. And Steven Spielberg called the picture the forerunner of Hollywood's masterpieces, despite the fact that ordinary American viewers are afraid of the tale.