A Holiday Classic That Never Gets Old

Hello everyone!

I'm already getting into the holiday spirit, decorating the house and buying gifts for the little ones. We've got our Christmas tree up, and I'm planning to hang some garlands soon. Too bad we won't have any snow this year, but watching 'Twelve Months' always gets me in the mood.

This classic cartoon has been around for ages – it was first released in 1956, which is even older than my parents! But it's still just as fun and entertaining.

I'm not sure when I first saw it, but I've been enjoying it for years now.

Script

As you might know, the script was written by the famous children's poet and writer Samuil Marshak. You know, the one who wrote about the lady who couldn't count her luggage?

Plot

The cartoon is based on a classic fairy tale about a poor orphan girl who's mistreated by her stepmother and stepsister. The stepmother's always making her do chores, and the stepsister's just a lazy little thing who spends all her time baking.

One snowy evening, the stepmother chases the girl out into the woods, telling her not to come back without snowflakes. The girl's a bit sad, but she takes a basket and sets off into the cold winter wonderland.

Animation

Let me tell you, this is an absolute gem. And it's not just because it's from 1956 - a time when animators didn't have all the fancy gadgets we take for granted today. The level of skill that went into creating these characters is just incredible. Each one is so meticulously detailed, and the personalities are just so well-developed. The animal characters are just adorable, and the way they're designed is just perfect.

Meet the characters

The stepdaughter - she's sweet, kind, and hardworking. Always trying to do what her stepmother tells her, even if it's not exactly fair. She's very trusting and believes in magic.

The stepmother - she's mean, with a nasty voice, and always bossing the poor stepdaughter around. She's got no sympathy for her, but she's always coddling her own daughter, feeding her treats and making sure she doesn't get too thin.

The stepmother's daughter - she's lazy, spoiled, and has no empathy whatsoever. Her whole existence is centered around eating and being waited on. She's got no qualms about sending the stepdaughter off into the cold woods, and she's got a real mean streak.

The princess - ugh, I just can't stand her. I'm not a fan of spoiled, entitled kids who only know how to manipulate adults. This one's got that whole 'princess complex' thing going on.

She's clueless, used to getting her way, and throws tantrums when things don't go her way. Everyone around her is too afraid to tell her no, and she's always demanding ridiculous things.

My kid was totally obsessed with getting a wicker basket full of snowflakes for Christmas. And honestly, who could blame her? I mean, what's not to love about snowflakes in the middle of winter?

Brother Months - each one is unique. I love how they've illustrated each month differently. The winter months are all grey-haired old men, while the spring months are mischievous young guys.

They're all buddies, having fun. Each one knows their place and waits for their turn. But sometimes they make exceptions, and after December, April might come along. But that's just part of the magic.

Wildlings - they're just amazing. I especially loved the rabbits and the show-off rabbit. They're so well-drawn.

When I look at them, I'm instantly reminded of old Soviet-era postcards. There's something heartwarming about them. The animals fit perfectly into the cartoon concept.

Charm

I love the unique charm of old Soviet cartoons. This one is simple and easy to follow. There are no cheesy jokes like in modern cartoons. It's clear what's good and what's not. Kids can make their own conclusions. This cartoon is full of Christmas spirit, and watching it is a real treat.

Music

There's not a lot of music, but what there is, is perfect. It complements the story beautifully, and everything is well-balanced. It's one of those cases where less is more.

For me, it's all about the voices of the heroes. Man, they're so clear and high-pitched. A bit of a shock to the ears, but I guess that's just how it was back then. So, it's not a huge minus.

New Year's Magic

We're all products of our childhood, right? We all believed in Santa and the magic of the wand at some point. They say miracles don't happen, but I want to believe that they do, especially on New Year's. You just have to believe in it strongly, like my step-daughter did. And then, miracle happens.

My Opinion

This is a fantastic animated movie. You should definitely watch it at least once in your life. It's got a great emotional vibe, the animation is stunning, and it's a one-of-a-kind original that you'll want to re-watch. I highly recommend it!