A Timeless Soviet Cartoon That Still Captivates Audiences Today

I've been on a mission to re-watch and re-read cartoons from different eras, and all the recent reviews of Soviet cartoons from 1946 have got me thinking about this one. 'The Song of Joy' is a full-length cartoon that's seriously impressive, especially considering its age. At 21 minutes long, it's a work of art that would have blown me away as a kid, and while some of its quality has started to show its age, multiple viewings reveal new details.

I remember this cartoon from my childhood. The work on it started before the war, and the director had to put it on hold and go fight. The script was written by Mstislav Sergeyevich Pashchenko, who's a name you might recognize from some of his other work. I wrote about one of his films, 'When the Christmas Trees Light Up', which is a favorite among many generations. But 'Chipollino' is a story that's etched in the memories of anyone who grew up in the Soviet Union and the 90s.

So, the script was written by Pashchenko himself. The film's success in the Soviet Union and worldwide led to the release of a book based on the story. I'm convinced that the idea for the script was inspired by 'The Snow Queen'. There are plenty of similar scripts and books out there, and I'm not trying to hide it. Even '12 Months' by Marsha, which we consider our own, was taken from a production called 'Christmas Rose'. But I'll digress. 'The Song of Joy' is a unique work, with its own style, visuals, and folklore. When you see the main character, you immediately think of a fairy tale from the northern peoples. That's where I'll start my summary of the story. I'm not saying it's a direct copy, because it's not. It's just that there are some meaningful similarities. The struggle between cold and warmth, light and darkness. The storyline is about the eternal struggle between old and new, the Polar Night and the upcoming Spring. It's about a girl, a bear cub, and a rabbit who are all eagerly waiting for Spring to arrive and are trying to bring it closer, but the Polar Night is doing everything in its power to stop them.

Like in all the cartoons from that era, the main characters are animals. Here's the rabbit and the bear. I already mentioned that the bear was a weird choice for me, but it's the one I'm stuck with. At the end of the day, it's a fairy tale.

The characters are drawn beautifully, even if they don't look great visually now. But the animation back then was top-notch. A lot of animators worked hard on this. All the characters look great. Funny, charming, and vibrant.

Their little faces are sweet.

The girl. Here's a representation of a girl. It's clearly a depiction of someone from a far northern region. There's no clear indication of a specific culture. You can only guess and speculate. The design doesn't emphasize a particular nationality. The heroine is very expressively drawn. Soft, smooth features. And it's not just her – the whole movie has a soft quality to it, but it still captures the atmosphere of cold and warmth perfectly. The girl is very lively and kind.

That little bird, the Crimson-breasted Finch, was the real star of the show. It stole the scene and started a whole subplot.

The Polar Night sequence was pretty intense. It could've been done in a more subtle way, but as a villain, it worked really well.

The music and sound effects

Now, the sound quality in this movie is a bit of a letdown. It's not been restored to its former glory. I mean, I've seen better sound in some of the older films. But the music is a different story. It's catchy and upbeat, and it really adds to the overall atmosphere of the movie.

I'm not usually a fan of musicals, but this one worked for me. The songs are fun and energetic, and they really capture the spirit of the time period.

Message and impressionsEvery movie has a message, and this one is no exception. It's not just meant to entertain, but also to teach us something. And in that regard, it succeeds.

I've got to agree with the film's recognition for both its literacy and its 'Humanity' award. It's a genuinely heartwarming story that showcases the kindness and good deeds of its positive characters.

Take, for example, the scenes with the little bear taking care of and rescuing the baby rabbit. They're just so adorable and leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

Of course, the eternal struggle between good and evil, and the triumph of good over evil, is a timeless and essential theme in any animated film.

Reciprocity is key, and it's beautifully portrayed in this film.

This little sparrow and its importance in warming up to change the world also highlights the power of kindness.

This cartoon is all sunshine and rainbows. The storyline is top-notch, with no loose ends – it's all neatly tied up. I highly recommend checking it out. It's a genuinely heartwarming story that showcases the kindness and good deeds of its positive characters.