Baba Yaga

People, I don't understand you. This movie is a very good fairy-tale and in my country it has become so popular that it runs on TV every year. Well, it usually runs on December 31rd, which indicates that people take it partly ironically, but the movie itself is a humorous caricature and I don't understand the arguements I see here. In fact, I couldn't imagine that MOROZKO could receive such bad reviews, if I didn't see it in my own eyes.

I don't know what they did of it in the United States, but I really don't think that the English version could get close to the original. It is simply unimaginable. On the other hand, it is true that the Czech dubbing of MOROZKO is excellent and it may overcome the Russian version.

In any case, if you don't know that Baba Yaga (a common inventary of Russian fairy-tales) lives in a house on the bird's legs (which every child in my country knows very well), then nobody can help you.

C'mon people,

this is a freaking f a i r y t a l e! what do you expect from a fairy tale for small children? in Russia, it is considered a movie for 3-5 year olds. i was really disappointed with some hostile comments i've read here - like "a movie for commies" and so on. Why should the movie be the reason to express hate and cheap stupid irony towards the Russian people and Russian children? What does this movie have to do with Communism (by the way, how many of 'smart reviewers' know what the term means? Do not be so hypocritical, ladies and gentlemen. Just admit you want to say crap about Russia or russians because you are ignorant and brainwashed by your media. You don't need a movie for 5 year olds to do that - just go ahead and talk crap for the sake of it. Merry Christmas, everyone.

OK. I guess some explanation from native Russian, who enjoyed this movie as a kid (among millions) and still enjoys it, a required... :)))) First of all, some facts: - This movie is a really considered to be CLASSICS, believe it or not. And it has a lot of awards. That's why it was re-released on tape in USA. - There was NO computer effects available back in 1964. Comparing to fairy movies made worldwide at the same era, the FX is OK. - The plot may seem pretty strange, but hey, look at Alice In Wonderland for example: White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Caterpillar on a mushroom smoking something like pot, Mock-Turtle, a kingdom of playing cards, constant size changes, etc - all in one single tale. :))))))

Now back to the movie. There's two main lines in the plot. The first one is about a smart, handsome guy (Ivan), who was too egocentric so Mushroom Pixie just punished (cursed) him, turning him in half-bear. After the guy did repent he turned into a human again. The second one is a Cinderella-type story which I guess appears in all ethnic tales worldwide. So the plot is pretty clear - both heroes has to overcome the negative obstacles and then they get the reward, and get married.

Now about the `weird' stuff. It's all common to Russian fairy tales. Jack Frost usually plays to roles in a fairy tale - as an analog of Santa and also as an impersonation of a Winter itself. A kind of a pagan lesser god. (Pagan heritage is very strong in a Russian folk tales). The Witch - Baba Yaga also has some dualism in fairy tale. Sometimes she's just typical evil witch, sometimes just an unpredictable witch who can help the hero for some reasons.Oh, and a House On The Birds' Legs is her certain attribute.

Another important note - the entire movie has a grotesque aesthetics. First of all, it's in a Russian folk tradition, than it's a movie for kids, so all the villains just must be ugly and funny at the same time. Sorry, but politically correct tale will be just boring.

So for an average Russian kid it's just a very impressive funny movie with a lot of action. Where the Evil is punished and all the Good get a reward.

Did not see the English edition, and happy about it. Being 100% fluent in both Russian and English, I cringe thinking how mangled a translation can get either way. Especially if the original is real heavy on cultural lore. I did watch and love the Russian movie - as little kid, and as a grown-up. This movie has very little 'Soviet' in it, really. It does promote the basic human values of being kind, brave, honest, polite etc, but is fully based on ancient Russian fairy tales. Slavic culture is thousands of years old, and these tales are on par with Kalevala, Ramayana, Beowulf, Iliad and other ancient epics.

To great credit of communist rule, the cultural background awareness was not suppressed, but strengthened and encouraged during Soviet era. Books were printed, movies were made; ancient Russian literature and history were studied in schools. Like many other European cultures, Russians preserved their identity. This movie is something they IDENTIFY with. In fact, any culturally educated person - not necessarily Russian - will recognize this movie for what it is and respect it.

The movie is wonderful. It is delightful and charming. Yes, it is pretty old and "computer graphics" cannot compete with the latest "Star Wars" edition. So what? It is a real pleasure to watch this movie regardless of your age if you are connected with (or interested in) Russian culture.

Just a few words for those who suggest to burn it. Guys, what way are you better than Nazis who burnt the books they didn't understand or accept?

Some more for the others. Please don't treat it as Finnish. Finland has its own fabulous culture, but it has very little in common with this movie. It is all Russian. Well, some motives are similar to those found in other nations fairy tales. I guess anyone acquainted with different peoples tales was amazed how much in common they had regardless of geographical location. Dear Americans, some things in this movie came from ancient Slavic tribes legends, thousand years before Columbus birth. Don't misunderstand me here, I have no intention to proclaim any culture to be superior than another one, I just want to explain some difficulties you can encounter while trying to understand this movie. They can be really overwhelming, but still not the reason to refute a different vision of the world. Please don't treat this movie as a documentary as well, it is a fairy tale without any claim for realism.

A final bit of advice if you please: if you watch Morozko once more don't strain your mind, rely on your feelings and impressions instead, try to empathize, not to rebuff. Actually this is applicable to almost everything Russian...