31 iyunya

J. B. Priestley was considered a safe writer in the USSR, so the scriptwriter changed the story knowing the censors wouldn't read the original.

The film director managed to give main parts to ballet dancers, despite resistance of the Mosfilm management. Dancers were considered unreliable: quite a few of them didn't return from foreign tours.

The shooting took place in the pavilions of Mosfilm in the summer of 1978, with the exception of Melicent and Sam's trip to nature. The musical "An Ordinary Miracle" was shot nearby at the time, and one can see that the kings in both films wear the same crown.

All music was arranged and recorded at Alexandr Zatsepin's home studio, technically superior to that at Mosfilm. Due to censorship, he had to make over 30 amendments: "I was told that my music is old stuff of capitalism, all performers should be replaced, and the film itself should be banned." The dancers' too revealing outfits dissatisfied the censors as well.

Next year, the management's fears about dancers materialised: during a Bolshoi Theater tour to the USA, Alexander Godunov (Lemisson) asked for political asylum. His wife Lyudmila Vlasova (Ninette / Ann) returned to Moscow after three days of detention of the Soviet plane by American authorities, who investigated whether her return was voluntary. Godunov and Vlasova's relation during this crisis and afterwards strangely resembled those of their characters in the film! As a result, the film was shelved for 7 years.

In the early 1980s, when Zatsepin left for France, also the songs were banned. The most absurd was the ban on the song "The World without My Beloved": this phrase seemed an allusion to the emigrated Taganka Theatre director, Yuri Lyubimov. And in the song "Star Bridge" officials saw propaganda of the American "Star Wars" programme.

Very beautigul songs, beautiful actors, interesting fantasy plot - it's one of the best russian musicals.

I think it's one of the best Russian musicals of 70-th. It's really very beauty film: many dances (performed by soloists of Bolshoi Theatre), wonderful playing of Russian actors. And amazing music by Alexander Zatsepin, especially main song "Zhdu tebja" - (I'm waiting for you).

I have last time seen this film when I was a boy. Suddenly, 20+ years later, after a great BBQ with friends, they popped out the DVD with this movie! We watched and watched and could not interrupt even though it was really half past 11 in the night. Both parts went in one go.

They knew how to make "fairy" films back there in old Soviet Union. They were always a bit philosophical (always considered a good thing to think about the movie after it's ended), a bit sad, a lot sentimental, and merry, too :) after watching it, you felt you've just became kinder to this world and people. Could even have a tear of joy coming down your cheek from the corner of one of your eyes...

Normally you would see this kind of movies around New Year, one of the best holidays in Russia (just like Christmas in UK and USA). These films (plenty of them), merry parties and all that topped with two days off, made New Year holidays so fantastic back in 70's when I was a boy.

Won't spoil it for you, just enough to say, try to understand what's happening around and what time are you in and why... you will get real pleasure of watching it! :)

What a wonderful Soviet musical film 31 June is. Beautifully done on all fronts and thoroughly entertaining as you'd expect any musical film to be. It is lovely from a visual perspective if not quite lavish, then again 31 June is made for TV, meaning not as big a budget as films for the cinema, so that can be forgiven. And that is not meant as an insult, there are some great made for TV films out there and 31 June is living proof of that. But whether it's lavish or not that doesn't matter, as 31 June is very colourful and beautifully tailored in the scenery and costumes with a real Russian fairy-tale quality. The way it's shot is very well done too, not in a cinematic sweep sort of way but full of skill and is cohesive and intimate without being obtrusive. The music is a sheer delight, very distinctively Russian while also lush and energetic as well as easy on the ear. The dancing is done with great spirit and the choreography looks elegant while reminiscent of Russian dance and culture, which was really nice to see. The script is good-natured, well-meaning and sweet, giving the drama the right amount of vigour, fun and emotional impact. The story- not always a strong point with film/TV musicals- throughout is warm-hearted and charming, with few if any dull spots. The fairy tale elements are strong and are truly magical, and we are drawn into the fairy world. The direction keeps things simple while not making things look simplistic or stage-bound, and the acting has the right amount of nobility and theatrical command, everybody seems to be really enjoying themselves and it is just as enjoyable to the audience watching as a result. In conclusion, a joy to watch and full of fun, charm and most of all magic. Done in two parts, 31 June is long at two and a half hours but is well worth it. 10/10 Bethany Cox