Am immensely fond of Russian animation, films too but even more so animation, and have been for nearly a decade. A lot of the best of it came from Soyuzmultfilm, some of the best non-UK/US animations coming from them. One of the most notable and prolific artists and directors to come out of the studio being Ivan Ivanov-Vano, though there were other directors too responsible for some of the studio's best work.
'Lefty' (its Russian title being 'Levsha') is a relatively late effort of Ivanov-Vano's and mid-late effort for Soyuzmultfilm. It is based on Nikolai Leskov's, not a familiar writer to me until recently, folk tale-like 'The Tale of Cross-eyed Lefty from Tula and the Steel Flea' (or at least that's one of the story's titles) from 1881, and more a screen version of his narration. This story was unknown to me until recently when re-visiting my Soyuzmultfilm completest sake and it stands out among other Russian/Soviet folk-tales, namely down to the story's use of language.
It is not one of Ivanov-Vano's best, prefer 'The Snow Maiden', 'The Hunchbacked Horse' (the 1947 version), 'The Adventures of Buratino', 'Seasons' and 'The Battle of Kerzhenets'. It is though one of his most interesting, partly down to the animation style and the style of the writing.
Part of me felt that it was a little too short, otherwise than that it is great and deserves to be better known.
One of 'Lefty's' most interesting components is the animation, a style unlike anything seen before and creatively used, an example of cutout animation and one of the most interesting uses of it. With purpsefully flat but never stiff character designs against richly detailed backgrounds made from practical materials, particularly striking in the Tula episodes but the engravings also intrigued. The music adds hugely to 'Lefty's' impact, rousing, sumptuous and atmospheric, it is like a character of its own and brilliantly performed and conducted.
The writing is reminiscent of Leskov's prose, both uniquely entertaining and fascinating in showing the writer's innovative forms. The story always compels (Leskov's mostly made up sayings are common today) with much to say about Russian society at the time and with a titular character worth rooting for. The narration is sincerely delivered, coherent and moves the story forward without over-explaining it.
Concluding, great. 9/10
