Alenkiy tsvetochek

The Scarlet Flower is a film from the Soviet Union that was based on a Russian fairy tale which was itself reminiscent of 'Beauty and the Beast'. In it a man goes on a trip and promises to return with gifts for his three daughters, the least materialistic of which asks for a scarlet Flower she saw in a dream. Her father finds the flower but it is the property of a fearsome forest creature, who gives him it but with conditions attached.

A good number of the very best fantasy films based on fairy tales originate from Central and Eastern Europe and The Scarlet Flower is yet another example of this. It's probably because these stories so often emerged from this part of the world that these cultures often produced film equivalents which understood the source material so much better. Like other fascinating east European fantasies such as The Singing Ringing Tree (1957) from East Germany or Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970) from Czechoslovakia, this one is also another atmospheric and visually beautiful bit of work which combines the enchanting with the dark and macabre. The forest, the waterfall and the crumbling woodland Gothic house all make for lovely locations; with the unusual characters like the old man, the witch and the beast being interesting fairy tale characters who add a further dimension of mystery and ambiance to proceedings. The leafy exteriors and interiors possess a dream-like feel, while the colour tints used only accentuate this further. Overall, I thought this was another example that shows the instinctive feel the East Europeans have for this type of unusual fantastical material.

It saddens me that this movie doesn't receive as much attention as other adaptations of the beloved fairytale and certainly not as much as it deserves! Mainstream movie viewers will likely not be enticed by the subtle and tender yet still potent love story that unfolds here but the art house crowd will have a treat in store. It should be noted that the relationship between the Beauty and the Beast is the main focus of the story here unlike most adaptations that derail the story with too many subplots such as a jealous suitor of Beauty and/or what her family is up to etc. The only subplot is that of the enchantress's character but the actress gives such a magnificent performance that it is forgivable. While it is obvious that this production was made on a tight budget, this does not undercut the magnetic chemistry between the two leads or the enchanting soundtrack scored by the late, great Edison Denisov.

The 1952 animated version by Soyuzmultfilm personally is superior, but both do justice to such a great story. The special effects here are not mind-blowing, sometimes a little crude. The film is very fairy-tale-like in its detail and atmosphere, it is lovely to look at and the colours are appropriately moody with striking colour tinges. The music is both ethereal and haunting, while the writing is never too sophisticated or childish, if anything it's gentle with a good sense of mood conveyed. The story is simple and leisurely and for the better, fairy-tales are better adapted like that in my opinion, contrary to what's been said before there is a sense of mystery and magic here though more convincing in the 1952 animated version. The ending is very heartfelt. The acting is noble, generally natural and not too theatrical, while the direction is solid and doesn't allow the storytelling to get too limp. In conclusion, not quite as good as the 1952 animation but lovely still. 8/10 Bethany Cox