Le Rock du Méchant Loup

Mama is the movie of my childhood. I went maybe 20 times at the theater to watch it as a child. The characters, the story, the music, the ice skating ballet... they all make a perfect picture. Some say it's a Russian picture. The main characters are played by Russian actors: Ludmila Gurchenko and Mihail Boyarsky. Yuri Entin is one of the writers. Tha "Balsoi" Ballet Group, The Moskow Circus and The Children Ice Ballet were used for the dancing and ice skating scenes. And oh, what a great job they did! But I consider it a Romanian picture. The director, Elisabeta Bostan (a great director for children movies) is Romanian. Half of the cast is Romanian. The story is Romanian - Ion Creanga's 'The Goat With Three Bucks' (Ion Creanga is a great Romanian storyteller, I consider him Romania's Hans Christian Andersen). The costumes that the Goat and the 5 Bucks are wearing are traditional Romanian costumes. And the music is so Romanian... I saw the Romanian version. I was impressed how the Russian actors seemed to speak Romanian (their voices were obviously dubbed, but still, it looked like they were speaking Romanian!). I have a four years old daughter. I was thrilled to find Mama on VSH Tape in a gas station. And now I can't stop my little girl to watch it over and over again. The picture works like a charm on the new generation also.

I remember this film from my childhood years...

It was shown on Swedish TV and i loved it. I still remember some of the songs - and some of the girls - and would give a lot to see it again.

As one speaker said before; Great films (for children) during this period, from the east block.....

What this movie make one of the finest is that the tunes and scenes are staying for years in your brain. When I see the movie last month after 25 years, it was like I have seen it a week before. So it did a lot to me in those days when I looked with my children at the musical. You can almost not believe that the leading actress and actors are now at the age of 70. So time flies. I almost looked for 25 years. I once had that movie on beta max tape but I lost it. Now Ihave the English version and the Russian one. I always though the voices were dubbed on the English movie, but that's not true, it are two complete different movies, with a different camera view. Does anyone know if there is a soundtrack for sale of this great musical? The English version I have is not one of the best, so I still am looking for a VHS with a better quality. Maybe someone knows a store? I hope that someday a DVD will be for sale.

And, I found the movie "Godspell" after 25 years again.

Hi, I finally found a russian-language version of MA-MA. The movie has still the same fascination as seen several years ago while I was young. I searched all over romania, but I was not able to find a version woth the original, romanian language. If you like Ma-Ma you need to see "VERONICA". I am very sorry that the romanian film-industrie is not able to provide new films with the quality of the movies from the years between 1970-80. I hope that sometimes these old movies will be released on DVD. Maybe someone will remaster these old movies and bring them back on the big screen. Thanks Bye NIKI

What can I say?... This is a unique musical/movie from the mid 70's, made in the eastern Europe, that I would recommend to everyone, especially children. It will touch them/you for life! It's not only fantastic songs (like the title "Ma-Ma"), that will stick in your brain for ever, there is also great dancing and skating that fit very well with the story. This is far superior to Hollywood productions, and so on.

The details of the houses in the village (and other scenes), and their originality, the great costumes and characters, makes this a joy to watch. Also, the use of lighting, colors, and special effects, makes it a visual gem.

The story is quite simple but very gripping. With the music, it's hard to not get a tear in your eye.

I watched it recently on Norwegian television with both children and adults. The children switched from hiding behind the sofa, being sad, to dancing around in the living room in joy. The adults (including me) started, almost at the same time, to sing or hum the title melody when it came. Even though I saw it the first time in the early 80's (I think), I still love it, and now I can really appreciate the quality of the dancing and skating, making it even better.

There were made at least two versions of this musical at the same time (not dubbed); One Russian and a English version. The English version is not perfectly clipped or synced (speach/sound), but good enough (originally).

The big problem today, is that the copies TV stations have is of poor quality (sound/picture), at least here in Norway. Also, they are in 4:3 format, and not cinematic like the original (widescreen). VHS copies (with English sound) is rear, and I don't think there is released a DVD version.

Here in Norway this musical is a classic. It was shown on national TV during the 80's until mid 90's, but have started again now (at Christmas time), and will probably do so the next years. That's the nice thing about classics, you never forget them, and you still want to watch them. Like this one.

If you haven't seen it, please do, especially if you have children.

I give it 10/10 because of the original English version. I will not reduce my vote because of the TV stations bad copy (and not cinematic/widescreen).