superperson1

Among the more perfect Soviet cartoons. No possible complaints about this one. It's compassionate, charming, and clever. A considerate, principled, not-vomit-inducingly-adorable boy, some witty anthropomorphic household pets, some bantering grown-ups to keep the adult contingency entertained, a hapless proletariat postal worker, and sincere, uncondescending Soviet wholesomeness and humor. Who could ask for anything more? Looking back at the pop culture of the Soviet sixties and seventies, when movies were original and funny, and cartoons were earnest and idealistic, when there wasn't sarcasm or cynicism, it does give you the perhaps entirely false but nonetheless sober impression that Soviet citizens were once happy, for a time. This cartoon is one of the reason Russians look back at this era nostalgically and to watch this cartoon is to fondly recollect the warmth and wit that that part of the world lost in the past two decades

I don't mean to generalize, but if you really want to get some sense of the difference between Russian and American animation (with many many exceptions, obviously), just compare this phenomenal Vinni Pukh with the wretched Disney Winnie the Pooh. The Disney one is sentimental, pandering, unsophisticated, and dumb. Winnie himself lethargically stumbles along like a middle-aged man with a developmental disability. Vinni, however, is vigorous, adventurous, and witty. He's sly and he has attitude. He is no longer a disposable "silly old bear," he is a worthy protagonist. Pyatachok is not a pathetic, feathery-voiced ball of pink. He is vibrant and fun, and their friendship, so beautifully rendered by Milne and made sappy and idiotic by Disney, is here authentic and moving once again. Soviet animation at its best.

The thing that will surprise you most about Bremenskie Muzykanty is how such amazing music and voice work can be accompanied by such slipshod animation. There is no question, here is probably the best soundtrack in Soviet cartoons. All the songs are witty, masterful, fun, emotionally stirring, and life-affirming, and Oleg Anofriev's character work is unforgettable. Meanwhile the animation is amateurish and unsophisticated at best. It's flat, there's no personality or engaging style, and it really looks like a bad afterthought, the creators rushing to showcase the songs without giving due consideration to the visuals. So sit back, close your eyes, and enjoy the magic. Or better yet, get your hands on the soundtrack with Anofriev doing additional narration, which is a truly wonderful recording.