Zolushka

I think this is an excellent film, and far better than any of the Disney fairy-tales because, the actors are so great, and the music is so cheerful that I think kids will love it. But it's also a very funny and witty movie, and adults will enjoy it too. Here is a piece of dialog between the King and his guards as he yells to them from a tower:

King-Hellooo! Hellooo! Guards of this fairy-tale castle, do you hear me? (Guards-We hear you, your Majesty!) King-Did a girl with one shoe leave the gate of our castle? (Guards-How many shoes were on her?) King-One! One! (Guards-Was she blonde?) King-Yes! A blonde! (Guards-How old was she?) King-About 16! (Guards-Nice?) King-Very nice! (Guards-OK! We understand! No, we haven't seen her. No one has left the gate!) King-Then why have you asked me all these specific questions? (Guards-We were interested, your Majesty!)

It is easily one of the best films ever made and if you don't like it, you should check your taste in cinema and the brain. "Zolushka" shows how the films were once made in our country: wisdom, funny jokes, superior performances, enchanting music - whatever you take, everything was done with heart on a highest aesthetic level.

The psychotic king is amazingly brought to life by Mr Erast Garin. The evil stepmother "shines" with the help of Mrs Faina Ranevskaya's talent. And the interpretation of Cinderella by Ms Yanina Zhejmo is just to the point. The innocence and goodness of Cinderella drives me almost to tears and it speaks a lot, be sure.

If you want your children to grow up sane and good persons, don't fail to show them films like this one.

10 out of 10 - it simply must not be given less while it is a timeless classic for all ages and for all millenniums. Thank you for attention.

Long ago I watched this movie as a kid and loved the story. Later on I watched it many more times when my kids were growing up, sharing their enjoyment. And I still keep watching it from time to time, but not for the story of course, rather for its very special emotional value. No matter how dragged down I am, it never fails to put me in good humor. This is a magic of genuine and simple human goodness that brightens the day. The movie is BW, very simple in a sense that it doesn't have any computer-generated effects, mind-boggling stunts so typical of today's fantasy cinema-- for those you should look elsewhere. But acting in "Zolushka" is very good. So if you want something that speaks to the heart -- you'll probably enjoy every bit of it.

a very touching film. i watched it multiple times and after each time i had an even more positive attitude towards the movie. i advise you to watch this enchanting masterpiece. the more you watch it, the more you actually understand the whole concept and point of the movie. this movie is suitable for viewing by all ages. no adult oriented scenes. this movie promotes kindness and should be treated with respect. i never knew that Yanina Zhejmo was actually 38 in the movie. she completely looks her part in the role of a sixteen year old. the prince (Aleksei Konsovsky) is 35 in the movie. he looks not much older than twenty.

Since we in the west are used to seeing the Disney versions of "Cinderella", it may surprise us that there was in fact a Soviet version. You probably never assumed that the USSR could have made such a glossy movie, but "Zolushka" is one impressive piece of work. For a country that wasn't into aesthetics, they produced a movie that was a real piece of eye candy. The screenwriters added a satirical side to it, but you'll probably best remember the costumes and scenery. During the ball, one of the stepsisters has Princess Leia hair buns.

Basically, this movie is more interesting than the ones released by Disney. I suspect that they had fun making it, especially with Faina Ranevskaya's emoting as the stepmother. An truly enjoyable time.

I bet that Yanina Zheymo had to beat guys off with a stick after starring in this.