Der unsterbliche Kaschtschai

Love Russian/Soviet film, especially fantasy, and an equal amount of pleasure has been gotten out of acquainting myself with their legends, fairy tales and folk tales. Have seen a good deal of Aleksandr Rou's work, and have liked to loved all seen. It is a shame though that a lot of people will be most familiar with him through MST3K with 'Morozko' ('Frosty') and its butchered American/English language dub, that doesn't do what is actually not a bad film at all any favours. Or at least that's in my opinion.

'Kashchei the Immortal', based on one of the most famous Slavic folk-tales/legends and characters (along with the likes of Baba Yaga), is for me up there as among his best and most accessible. Of my recent "re-visiting Russian film" period, it's up there with the standouts. Like Rou's other work, 'Kashchei the Immortal' entertains and charms with enough imaginative touches to give it a sense of wonder. There is a strangeness at times, but not in a way that gets too overly weird or affects the coherence of the storytelling.

A lot of 'Kashchei the Immortal' is lovingly shot in black and white and nicely designed with a good deal of atmosphere. The effects, while not what one calls special, have a charm to them and are quite imaginatively used.

Music has much lushness and atmosphere, absolutely love the song in the opening scene, and Rou directs with an assured touch that never gets too serious or farcical. The writing flowed enough and at least made sense, with the story actually pretty simple, not getting muddled, even with a good deal thrown in.

Liked the storytelling, which was fun and amiable with a sense of wonder and endearing quirkiness, handled very imaginatively while always being easy to follow and respectful to the legend and the character. An exception is the agreed overlong and dragged out fire scene. The characters are immensely colourful in personality with likeable protagonists and one does not forget Kashchei, a suitably formidable and entertaining antagonist. The acting is not always subtle but the actors are well suited to their roles and fully commit to them.

Overall, immensely charming and hard to dislike. 9/10 Bethany Cox