Vasilisa the Beautiful

Josef Stalin loved cinema, and established the Soyuzmultfilm studio in 1936 essentially to show the world that a totalitarian nation could turn out fantasy films the equal of the decadent west's super-star, Walt Disney. Traditional Russian folk-lore and the major, iconic fairy-tales of the country were given the highest priority; not only did Stalin's studios preserve Russia's classic folk heritage in the novel form of film and cartoons, but the films also served as examples of the advances of Soviet technology (and the Soyuzmultfilm animated fairy tales of the 40's and 50's are indeed glorious, especially with their original, full-orchestral, old-world musical soundtracks intact).

VASILISA THE BEAUTIFUL is also known in the west as "The Frog Princess" (as it was titled in the U.S. release of Soyuzmultfilm's ravishing animated cartoon version of 1954). But this 1939 version is LIVE ACTION (b&w) and is utterly enjoyable, and striking in many ways. It is told in the typical, rather crude and straightforward manner of a folk-tale, but is extremely impressive from a visual standpoint. It is fascinating to behold the detailed recreation of a primitive, rural farmhouse, with its distinctive bell-towers and gables all fashioned of timber, basking in the brilliant sunshine and surrounded by vast wheat fields.

The old father who no longer wants to support his two lazy sons instructs them to each shoot an arrow into the air...and where it lands, each will find his new bride. His #3 son, Ivanushka (the youngest and most upstanding of them), finds his bride at the bottom of a lake inside of a big ol' lily pad and takes the frog into his care, in order to honor his pact with his father. And, sure enough, the frog is actually the beautiful and elusive princess Vasilisa, who is then kidnapped by that creepy nemesis of old Russian lore, Baba Yaga the witch.

Ivan's quest to rescue his bride is told through some pretty impressive live-action imagery, often employing elaborate matte-like effects that combine the actors with what look like ink drawings, plus a few instances of very cool forced-perspective photography, including a stunning sequence where Baba Yaga causes the wooded cliff upon which Ivan is standing to collapse into the ravine far below. The "monsters" themselves are crude--a huge, giant spider that ensnares Ivan and commands that he answer three riddles in order to save his life (a pretty easy-going arachnid, since he gives Ivan multiple guesses when his first answer is wrong), and the giant, Ghidra-like, three-headed dragon (which is planning on marrying Vasilisa!). Crude, but appropriate for this nightmarish fantasy...and the landscape design is continually awesome to the eye.

Then there are Ivan's pals, the bear family, who assist him in finding the magic key, crystal chest, and magic duck egg which he needs to save his beloved. Maybe there's one too many scenes relying on simply running the film backward for a "magical" effect, but--what-the-hey, it's 1939. And the combining of shots of the real bears and the occasional Russki in a bear-suit is well done.

The musical score is notable, since it features a THEREMIN to represent the "outre" elements of the story, which are numerous.

WHAT I FOUND ADDITIONALLY MEANINGFUL is the "Bonus Feature" interview with Kiril Stolyarov, son of the famous Russian actor who stars as Ivanushka in the film; not only does he relate the story of his dad's precarious status in the eyes of the Stalinist regime (and yes, this film was made at the height of Stalin's great Terror), but the son also expounds on the emotional, cultural and moral significance of the classic, immortal Fairy-Tales (or "Skazki") and their role in the history of his great nation. I found it very moving.

PS--Also, check out the original Russian release of the 1956 mega-epic "Ilya Muromets", another iconic tale from the Motherland, but primarily known in the US in its cheesy 1960 dubbed version re-titled "The Sword and the Dragon." Bizarre but insightful stuff.

Shows off a three headed dragon even predating The Sword and the Dragon that flies around even and just also, fun, great Bears and other creatures of the forest.

Was on a roll five years ago watching Russian fantasy/fairy-tale/folk-tale films, animated and live action (Russian film also overall regardless of genre). Decided to do it again recently, remembering with fondness the feelings felt in my viewings five years ago where misfires actually were few and wanting to replicate them. Realised too that there was much more to see than the ones already seen (a great many actually), those of which not seen already due to having no knowledge of their existence until recently.

'Vasilisa the Beautiful' may not be among the best Russian fantasy/fairy-tale/folk-tale films seen, but only there are so many around and a lot so great so the competition is a big one. It does however have more than enough to show why these films appeal to me and has many of the qualities that make even better similar films as pleasurable as they are. 'Vasilisa the Beautiful' is a strange film, though more in its tone and atmosphere rather than it not making sense. It is also though a beautiful one with a lot of charm and imagination, for early Russian fantasy it is overall a winner.

Occasionally 'Vasilisa the Beautiful' is a little crude and lacking in finesse visually, like in some transitions and effects.

Baba Yaga is also a little over-the-top in places from personal opinion.

However, much of the time 'Vasilisa the Beautiful' is a lovely film to look at, the scenery makes one wish you were there or give you the want to book a trip to Russia and the film is beautifully shot as well. The special effects mostly have a sense of wonder and are generally quite impressive for so early on. It is very easy to be taken by the music score as well, because it does have a sense of fantasy and adventure, it sounds very Russian in its tone and its nationalistic feel, it is lusciously orchestrated and sometimes even sounds like a tone poem with a unique structure and interesting featuring of the theremin.

The writing is well-incorporated within the story and sounds generally natural and sincerely delivered. The story is a magical one, even if on the typical side, it unfolds beautifully, isn't hard to follow (pretty straight-forward actually) and the charm and wonder doesn't stop. It does move slowly particularly in the middle, but that is not always a bad thing, if anything it gave the story a sense of freedom, time to breathe and allowed us to become invested in the characters and story. The characters all engage, with a likeable titular character and hero and Baba Yaga is very memorable, sometimes on the broadly over-the-top but more often than not grotesquely sinister. They are fairy-tale clichés certainly but that is not to be taken as a bad thing. The acting is decent enough and appropriate for the characters if not anything to be mind blown by. Valentina Sorogozhskaya comes off best.

All in all, lovely film. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I gather from looking at the IMDb that I am not the only one who got into Russian Fantasy Films from seeing them ridiculed on MST3K, and at some point years ago I bought the Russico version of this movie. Unlike other releases by Russico, it only has English on the subtitles.

Anyway, if you are really into "Sampo" or "Father Frost" you may want to chase this down. It's much like those later, rather striking films and the Rusicco Print is flawless. It has comedy much like "Father Frost." It's kind of cool seeing this all done in Black and White, and it comes in at a snappy 70 minutes. The evil Witch character, a Russian staple (and seemingly always played by a man) captures the beautiful Vasilisa and wants her to marry a Dragon. It is left up to the handsome Son of three brothers (the other two are dolts) to save her.

There is a good commentary on the disc where the traditions of Russian Fantasy are explained.