Poligon

I saw this short in the second volume of the "Master of Russian Animation" collection.

"Polygon" (Also known as "Firing Range") not only has a superb animation style that was ahead of the time in which this was made (With a surprising level of realism, with a high level of detail and fluid movements…Considering that this short was made in 1977, the quality of the result is even more impressive) but also possess a mature, complex plot that in only 10 minutes is able to express in a poetical way the horrors of war, the consequences of trying to make justice by oneself (Even with a good reason) dealing also with interesting sub-themes (An invention going against to its creator) having a surprising, but at the same time poignant ending. A must-see.

Anatoly Petrov's "Poligon" (alternately called "Polygon" and "Firing Range" in English) is adapted from an anti-war science fiction story by Sever Gansovsky. Like "Dr. Strangelove", it shows that the technology designed for war will destroy us if we don't reign in its power. In this case, the weapon in question turns into a sort of Frankenstein's monster (which could be a metaphor for military technology in general).

I've liked all the Soyuzmultfilm cartoons that I've seen. These cartoons prove that a cartoon doesn't need fancy animation or famous people voicing the characters. It just needs a good, clever plot. That's exactly what this one has.

I understand that the animation uses two celluloid layers for each character to make them look 3D, while the characters are caricatures of Paul Newman, Ringo Starr, Yul Brynner, and others.