Table of contents:
- The Little Humpbacked Horse, 1947, director Ivan Ivanov-Vano
- The Snow Queen, 1957, directed by Lev Atamanov
- "Mitten", 1967, director Roman Kachanov
- "Cheburashka", 1972, director Roman Kachanov
- "Hedgehog in the Fog", 1975, director Yuri Norshtein
- "Tale of Fairy Tales", 1979, director Yuri Norshtein
- "Once upon a time there was a dog", 1982, director Eduard Nazarov
Video: 7 Soviet cartoons that are watched abroad: From "The Little Humpbacked Horse" to "Once upon a time there was a dog"
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
The good old Soviet cartoons evoke the warmest memories of those who watched them in childhood. They are actually kind, instructive, perhaps a little naive. They are part of the life of many people in the post-Soviet space. But, as it turned out, Soviet cartoons were able to impress sophisticated Western audiences as well. Many saw them already in adulthood and were able to fully appreciate their beauty and deep meaning.
The Little Humpbacked Horse, 1947, director Ivan Ivanov-Vano
This animated film, based on the tale of Pyotr Ershov, became one of the most beloved not only among children, but also by the great Walt Disney, who showed Ivan Ivanov-Vano's masterpiece to his students and studio artists as an example of true skill. The Little Humpbacked Horse strikes with its originality, motives of Russian fine arts and architecture. However, the cartoon is of interest not only for professionals, but also for ordinary viewers. Foreigners compare his animation with the best works of Disney, not even realizing that the artist himself was inspired by The Little Humpbacked Horse. In 1975, the director filmed the second version of the cartoon, slightly different in plot from the first, released in 1947.
The Snow Queen, 1957, directed by Lev Atamanov
As it turned out, this stunning cartoon, based on the tale of Hans Christian Andersen, has many fans in the United States. It was there that he was often shown in the 1960s and 1970s before Christmas. By the way, Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki, after watching this particular cartoon, decided to do animation. Foreign audiences admire the quality of the animation in "The Snow Queen" and openly call the cartoon "an animated work of art."
"Mitten", 1967, director Roman Kachanov
Roman Kachanov's masterpiece was filmed for children, but adults should also review it from time to time in order to remember their dream and its ability to come true. The story of a mitten turned into a dog, which the little mistress dreamed of, touches to the core. And even foreign viewers find this cartoon worthy of attention and call it “a little treasure”.
"Cheburashka", 1972, director Roman Kachanov
The cartoon, which gained popularity among millions of young viewers in the Soviet Union, found its fans in Japan. One of the Japanese firms in 2003 acquired the rights to distribute cartoons about a cute character until 2023 and shot 26 anime episodes about him. In addition, Japanese animators re-shot original cartoons about Cheburashka and Crocodile Gena, as well as a puppet version of the film and a short film in 3D.
"Hedgehog in the Fog", 1975, director Yuri Norshtein
A touching and naive story about the Hedgehog, lost in the fog on the way to his friend Teddy Bear, is actually capable of impressing any person. This is evidenced by the numerous awards collected by the cartoon. Western viewers note the special atmosphere and soulfulness of "Hedgehog in the Fog", not forgetting to note the huge difference between it and Disney cartoons.
"Tale of Fairy Tales", 1979, director Yuri Norshtein
Another cartoon by a famous director and animator, Western film critics compare with the paintings of Picasso and the paintings of the legendary Andrei Tarkovsky. The main character of this cartoon is the same gray top that comes in the evenings and grabs the barrel, as it is sung in the famous lullaby. Only in the interpretation of Yuri Norstein does he sadly observe how the past is replaced by the future. Foreign viewers note the special visual style inherent in the director, the competent and harmonious combination of sound and picture, as well as the wonderful music that accompanies the action.
"Once upon a time there was a dog", 1982, director Eduard Nazarov
The cartoon, based on a Ukrainian folk tale, literally enchants with its color and humor. This was also appreciated by foreign viewers, who noted the wonderful plot and dubbing. Many even began to recommend it to their friends for viewing, because, despite the not too advanced animation, "Once upon a time there was a dog" is actually able to captivate and convey a deep meaning to every viewer.
Cartoons and TV series far away not always intended for children's audiences. Animated films fully convey the depth and philosophy of life, sometimes difficult questions are raised in them, and the story is about love and loneliness, dreams and injustice, religion and intolerance. They have a deep meaning, and such cartoons are in no way inferior to ordinary films.
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