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Russian and East European Institute 
Russian Films for Youth and Beginning Students of Russian 
Titles in red were acquired during the 2008-2009 academic year
**Special note: DVD-PAL films may be viewed only on PAL, multi-standard DVD players, or many computers. One such player is now available in BH 506. Instructional Support Services can also offer assistance (855-8065).**
ABVGDeika (DVD)
2005-2008, 130 min. each, Russian without subtitles.
Entertaining Russian-language lessons in various areas of the elementary school curriculum, such as grammar, counting, rules of the road, and others.
Zaniatie 2 (ABV2) includes:
Urok 1: Chislo dva, schet parami
Urok 2: Glasnye i soglasnye
Urok 3: Imena
Urok 4: Gorodskoi byt
Urok 5: Povedenie za stolom
Zaniatie 3 (ABV3) includes:
Urok 1: Urok matematiki. Chisla ot "1" do "5"
Urok 2: Slog "ma." Slovo "mama"
Urok 3: Slova i slogi
Urok 4: Okhrana prirody
Urok 5: Pravila dorozhnogo dvizheniia
Zaniatie 4 (ABV4) includes:
Urok 1: Nol'
Urok 2: Bukva "B"
Urok 3: Slova laskovye i zlye
Urok 4: Rozhdestvo
Urok 5: Novogodnyi kaleidoskop
THE ADVENTURES OF CHEBURASHKA & FRIENDS (ADVC) (DVD)
2001, 70 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Roman Kachanov.
Based on books written by Eduard Uspensky, this stop-motion animated series follows the adventures of the loveable, big-eared creature, Cheburashka, and his friends, Crocodile Genady and Old Lady Shapocliak - three of the most popular animated characters ever produced by Moscow's famed Soyuzmultfilm Studio. Includes the episodes Crocodile Gena, where the group builds a playhouse for friends; Cheburashka, where they build a playground for children; Shapocliak, where the friends go on vacation and protect nature; and Cheburashka is Going to School, where the little creature is sent to school to learn to read.
ALADDIN'S MAGIC LAMP (ALL2) (DVD)
1996, 84 min., Russian, English and French language and subtitle options. Directed by Boris Rytsarev.
The timeless fairy tale is brought to the screen in this vibrant Russian film, suitable for younger as well as older viewers. Anyone who dares to look at the beautiful daughter of the sultan is put to death, but love brings Aladdin to the lovely princess. An omnipotent genie from a magic lamp helps Aladdin stay alive while protecting his lover from a wicked wizard.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND (AIL) (DVD)
1981, 69 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Yefrem Pruzhansky.
The cartoon is the Soviet adaption of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.
ALONG UNKNOWN PATHS… (Tam, na nevedomykh dorozhkakh...) (ALO) (DVD)
1982, 66 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Mikhail Yuzovsky.
This film is based on the book Down the Magic River by the Russian writer, Eduard Uspensky, who gave us Cheburashka, Gena, and the Crocodile. This smart, funny, and touching film is one of the best children’s films of the 1980s. Leaving for his granny’s for the summer holiday, Mitya could have never imagined that he would be involved in incredible adventures in a magic country, all because his granny was a good witch. Vasilissa the Wisest, Uncle House-Spirit, and the warrior join Mitya to fight Kaschey Immortal, One-Eyed-Evil, and Nightingale the Robber.
BAMBI’S CHILDHOOD (BAM) (DVD)
1985, 79 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Natalya Bondarchuk.
This film is based on the book by Felix Zalten. Many amazing discoveries and dangerous adventures await the fawn Bambi in the forest lands. He learns that the best defense for young deer is last year’s foliage, that fish live in the river, beautiful flowers can fly, and raccoons live without care in this story about life in the forest.
BAMBI’S YOUTH (BAMY) (DVD)
1986, 66 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Natalya Bondarchuk.
The sequel to Bembi’s Childhood, the young deer Bambi has grown into a beautiful buck. He meets a doe, Faline, falling in love with her. The young couple sets out on a long and dangerous journey in search of a mysterious flower of life…The movie was filmed in nature reserves in Crimea, Caucasus, lower Elbrus, Latvia and Czechoslovakia, bringing over 100 species of live animals together.
BARBARA, THE FAIR WITH THE SILKEN HAIR (BARB) (DVD)
1969, 85 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Aleksandr Rou.
Once upon a time lived a tsar named Yeremey. He went on a year-long trip to take an inventory of his realm. One day he bent over a well for a drink of water and was immediately grabbed by the underwater tsar Chudo-Yudo, demanding a ransom for Yeremey’s freedom. In his absence, Yeremey’s Tsarina, Barbara, gives birth to a son, but the tsar does not know this. The film tells the story of how Andrey (a mere fisherman’s son) meets Barbara, and they fall in love. Tsar Yeremey is then put to shame on account of his lazy, numskull son, but in the long run, everything comes to a happy end. This wonderful fairytale movie contains a lot of remarkable adventures, magic changes, and other fun!
DOCTOR AIBOLIT (DrAib) (DVD)
2000, 68 min., Russian with English subtitles, Directed by D. Cherkasskii.
Dr. Aibolit, the Russian equivalent of Dr. Doolittle, and the evil pirate Barmalay have several exciting adventures, which are told with lots of music. The stories come from the books by the author K. Chukovski.
ERALASH (ERA) (DVD)
204 min., Russian without English subtitles.
Russian As the theme song puts it, “for boys and girls and their parents as well!” Students of Russian at any level will enjoy these short humorous films which touch on a wide array of themes: fashion, sports, politics, pop culture, school, and generational conflict. From the long-running and popular Russian television show of the same name.
EVENINGS ON A FARM NEAR DIKANKA (Vechera na khutore bliz Dikan'ki) (EVEN) (DVD)
1961, 66 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Aleksandr Rou.
The whimsical combination of Christmas illusion and an eccentric fairy tale makes this film unforgettable. The story occurs both in the Ukrainian village of Dikanka and at the palace of a Russian Empress. Vacula, the blacksmith, has enraged the devil: in a church he painted the devil’s figure so that even Hell’s inhabitants could not help laughing. Vacula’s sweetheart, Oksana, demands a pair of shoes that the Empress wears for a Christmas present; only then she will agree to marry Vacula. The devil promises to help the blacksmith get the Empress’s shoes, on condition that Vacula sells his soul. Meanwhile, Christmas is almost here…
FAIRY TALES FROM FAR OFF LANDS (TRO2) (DVD)
Restored in 2005, Russian without English subtitles.
Three From Sour Cream Village (1978, 19 min)
Vacation in Sour Cream Village (1980, 19 min)
Winter in Sour Cream Village (1984, 17 min)
Strawberries Under the Snow (1994, 10 min)
Blind Man's Bluff (1994, 10 min)
Boy is a Boy (1986, 10 min)
Who's First? (1950, 10 min)
FAIRY TALES FROM FAR OFF LANDS: Bremen’s Musicians and Other Stories (FAIR2) (DVD)
1958-1988, 76 min., no English subtitles.
The Bremen Town Musicians (1969, 21 min)
In the Footsteps of the Bremen Town Musicians (1973, 19 min)
Puss in Boots (1968, 16 min)
The Cat Who Knew How to Sing (1988, 10 min)
The Mushroom House (1958, 10 min)
FAIRY TALES FROM FAR OFF LANDS: CLASSIC ANIMATION COLLECTION (FAIR3) (DVD)
1958-61, 127 min., Russian with English subtitles.
The Adventures of Buratino (1959, 68 min)
The Boy from Napoli (1958, 20 min)
Cipollino (1961, 39 min)
FAIRY TALES FROM FAR OFF LANDS: The Snow Queen (FAIR4) (DVD)
1954-1968, 113 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Lev Atamanov.
The Snow Queen (1957, 65 min)
Golden Antelope (1954, 32 min)
Bench (1967, 11 min)
Cyclist (1968, 5 min)
Fence (1968, 1 min)
FATHER FROST (MOROZKO) (FFRO) (DVD)
1964, 84 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Aleksandr Rou.
This lyrical film is based on a popular Russian fairy tale. Once upon a time Nastenka lived with her wicked stepmother, who made her work very hard day and night. The stepmother decided to get rid of Nastenka by sending her to a winter forest to freeze to death. In the same land lived Ivan, who falls in love with Nastenka. Unfortunately, he bragged too much, and was turned for that into a bear by a forest magician. Nastenka and Ivan then go through many trials, helped along the way by the good wizard Father Frost.
THE GOLDEN HORNS (GOLD) (DVD)
1972, 74 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Aleksandr Rou.
Baba Yaga kidnaps Yevdokia’s two little daughters and turns the girls into beautiful deer. Unwilling to resign to her loss, Yevdokia sets out in search of the children. She finds many volunteers, among them the Sun, the Moon, the Wind and the Deer with the Golden Horns, ready to help the fearless mother in her plight. During her quests, she also meets very good people, offering their help to save the kids. There are a lot of magical characters, miraculous transformations and adorable juvenile humor in this fairy tale.
THE LITTLE MERMAID (Rusalochka) (LITT) (DVD)
1976, 81 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Vladimir Bychkov.
Dedicated to the memory of the great Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, this film is based upon one of his best fairy tales. A little mermaid falls in love with a prince whom she once saved during a storm. For the sake of her love, she sacrifices many things: she fearlessly leaves her home and strikes a deal with an evil sorceress. Using magical incantations in exchange for the Mermaid’s beautiful voice, the witch replaces the fish tail with human legs, making it possible for the Mermaid to walk on land. The Little Mermaid only goes through these trials to be near her beloved, but the Prince, not realizing how lucky he is, loses her forever…
MARIA THE WONDERFUL WEAVER (MARI) (DVD)
1959, 75 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Aleksandr Rou.
Based on Russian folk tales, a soldier is returning home after serving in the army. But on the way home, he meets the young boy Ivan. Ivan’s mother, Maria the Wonderful Weaver, has been kidnapped by the evil, treacherous, and elusive Tsar Vodokrut XIII. The brave soldier decides to help Ivan. In search of the boy’s mother, the two will traverse an enchanted forest and will go down to the ocean floor. The sly Vodokrut tries with all his evil spirits to stop them, yet cannot overcome a soldier’s bravery and a kind heart…
MASTER AND MARGARITA (MAST) (DVD)
2005, 450 min., Russian with English Subtitles. Directed by Vladimir Bortko.
Set in Moscow under Stalin, and in Jerusalem under Pilate, this work has several story-lines where history, religion, and politics are intertwined. The sacrifices of Master, a talented author of a manuscript about the biblical Pontius Pilate, and Master's muse - Margarita, are paralleled by the biblical story of Ieshua in Jerusalem, and the deceit of the cowardly ambiguous Pilate, whose character alludes to a Soviet leader. The reality is distorted by Satan Woland, and his lieutenants, who are manipulating public events and people's lives by pushing the buttons of human weaknesses and sins. Margarita taps into Woland's power, trying to save Master. The character of Master is semi-autobiographical, as the burning of his manuscript alludes to what Mikhail Bulgakov himself did under threats from the Soviet authorities.
MASTERS OF RUSSIAN ANIMATION, VOLUME 1 (MRA1) (DVD)
1962-1968, 133 min., Russian with English subtitles.
1. “Story of One Crime”, Fyodor Khitruk, 1962, 20 min.
2. “Man in the Frame”, Fyodor Khitruk, 1966, 10 min.
3. “My Green Crocodile”, Vadim Kurchevsky, 1966, 1 min.
4. “There Lived Kozyavin”, Andrei Khrjanovsky, 1966, 7 min.
5. “Mountain of the Dinosaurs”, Rasa Strautmane, 1967, 10 min.
6. “Passion of Spies”, Yefim Gamburg, 1967, 20 min.
7. “Glass Harmonica”, Andrei Khrjanovsky, 1968, 20 min.
8. “Ball of Wool”, Nikolai Serebryakov, 1968, 10 min.
9. “Singing Teacher”, Anatoly Petrov, 1968, 3 min.
10. “Film Film Film”, Fyodor Khitruk, 1968, 20 min.
MASTERS OF RUSSIAN ANIMATION, VOLUME 2 (MRA2) (DVD)
1969-1978, 125 min., Russian with English subtitles.
1. “Seasons”, Ivan Ivanov-Vano, 1969, 9 min.
2. “Ballerina on the Boat”, Lev Atamoanov, 1969, 17 min.
3. “Armoire”, Andrei Khrjanovsky, 1970, 5 min.
4. “Battle at Kerzhenets”, Ivan Ivanov-Vano & Yuri Norstein, 1971, 10 min.
5. “Butterfly”, Andrei Khrjanovsky, 1972, 10 min.
6. “Island”, Fyodor Khitruk, 1973, 10 min.
7. “Fox and Rabbit”, Yuri Norstein, 1973, 12 min.
8. “Heron and Crane”, Yuri Norstein, 1974, 11 min.
9. “Hedgehog in the Fog”, Yuri Norstein, 1975, 11 min.
10. “Crane Feathers”, Ideya Garanina, 1977, 10 min.
11. “Firing Range”, Anatoly Petrov, 1977, 10 min.
12. “Contact”, Vladimir Tarasov, 1978, 10 min.
MASTERS OF RUSSIAN ANIMATION, VOLUME 3 (MRA3) (DVD)
1979-1985, 140 min., Russian with English subtitles.
1. “Tale of Tales”, Yuri Norstein, 1979, 30 min.
2. “Hunt”, Eduard Nazarov, 1979, 10 min.
3. “Last Hunt”, Alexander Karavayev, 1982, 11 min.
4. “There Once was a Dog”, Eduard Nazarov, 1982, 11 min.
5. “Travels of an Ant”, Eduard Nazarov, 1983, 10 min.
6. “Lion and Ox”, Fyodor Khitruk, 1983, 10 min.
7. “Wolf and Calf’, Mikhail Kamenetsky, 1984, 10 min.
8. “Cabaret”, Ideya Garanina, 1984, 21 min.
9. “Old Stair”, Alexander Gorlenko, 1985, 10 min.
10. “King’s Sandwich”, Andrei Khrjanovsky, 1985, 10 min.
11. “About Sidorov Vova”, Eduard Nazarov, 1985, 10 min.
MASTERS OF RUSSIAN ANIMATION, VOLUME 4 (MRA4) (DVD)
1986-1990, 141 min., Russian with English subtitles.
1. “Door”, Nina Shorina, 1986, 11 min.
2. “Boy is a Boy”, Natasha Golovanova, 1986, 11 min.
3, “Liberated Don Quixote”, Vadim Kurchevsky, 1987, 19 min.
4. “Martinko”, Eduard Nazarov, 1987, 11 min.
5. “Big Underground Ball”, Stanislav Sokolov, 1987, 21 min.
6. “Cat and Clown”, Natasha Golovanova, 1988, 11 min.
7. “Dream”, Nina Shorina, 1988, 11 min.
8. “Kele”, Mikhail Aldashin & Peep Pedmanson, 1988, 7 min.
9. “Alter Ego”, Nina Shorina, 1989, 9 min.
10. “Girlfriend”, Yelena Gavrilko, 1989, 10 min.
11. “Croak x Croak”, Yelena Fedorova, 1990, 11 min.
12. “Cat and Company”, Alexander Guriev, 1990, 9 min.
MOWGLI AND OTHER TALES (MOW) (DVD)
1965-71, 141 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Roman Davydov.
Between 1967 and 1971, Soyuzmultfilm Studio produced a series of five films based on Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book about Mowgli, a little boy brought up by wolves, becoming their adopted son and brother.
- Raksha: 1967, 20 min.
- The Kidnapping: 1968, 20 min.
- Akela’s Last Hunt: 1969, 20 min.
- The Battle: 1970, 20 min.
- A Return to the People: 1971, 20 min.
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. Based on another story from Kipling’s The Jungle Book, this story is about a brave young mongoose who takes on dangerous snakes. 1965, 21 min.
The Cat Who Walked by Himself. A tale about ancient times when primitive man tamed wild animals, or wild animals tamed man. 1968, 20 min.
OLD HOTTABYCH (Starik Khottabych) (OLD) (DVD)
1956, 86 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Gennadij Kazanskij.
This comedy is based on the tale of the same name by Lazar Lagin. A 12-year-old schoolboy, Volka, stumbles upon a sealed old jug while taking a swim in the Moscow River. He opens the vessel and Oriental genie – Hassan Abdurahman ibn Hottab – appears before him. To reward Volka for saving him from a two thousand-year-long confinement, the genie, whom the boy called Hottabych, becomes his loyal servant. Determined to shower the boy with presents, Hottabych delivers to his home a caravan of camels laden with countless treasures. Together, they then take a thrilling flight to India on a magic carpet...
OSTROV SOKROVICSH (Treasure Island) (OSTR) (DVD)
1971, 86 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Yevgeni Fridman.
Based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. An ancient sea map falls into the hands of a brave youth who dreams of romantic and exciting adventures. The map unveils the route to the buried treasure of the legendary pirate Captain Flint. The buried treasure is on an island, lost in the ocean. Together with friends on a delightful sailing vessel, Jim heads off into dangerous waters. But it so happens that on the very ship that Jim sets out, also sails pirates, the very remnants of Captain Flint’s crew!
PRIKLYUCHENIYA KAPITANA VRUNGELYA (Adventures of Captain Vrungel) (PRIK) (DVD)
1979, 123 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by David Cherkassky.
A musical animated series (13 episodes) based on Nekrasov’s stories about the happy and courageous Captain Vrungel. A sea fleet is prepared for a round-the-world voyage. Famous captains from all over the world are invited to participate in an unprecedented competition. The highest stakes are wagered on the yacht of Captain Vrungel the “Misfortune,” and the foreign ship the “Black Cuttlefish.” At the same time in the King’s Museum of Art occurs the heist of the century - the theft of the statue of Venera. On the order of the chief of the gangsters, the thief Fuks must haul it on the “Black Cuttlefish.” But Captain Vrungel has hired Fuks as a sailor on the “Misfortune.” The gangsters Dzhuliko Banditto and De La Voro Gangsteritto do not arouse suspicion when they are sent to meet the “goods.” However, this case’s investigation is assigned to the super-agent 00X…
PRINCESS AND THE PEA (PRIN) (DVD)
1976, 74 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Boris Rytsarev.
It was time for the prince to get married, but only to a real princess. A sign was put up on the gates: “A Princess Wanted”. However, in response to the sign, only a small girl appeared, soaked to the bone from the rain and bearing no resemblance to nobility. So the prince was forced to travel to other lands in search of a suitable match. In one kingdom, he meets a fat king, in another a hospitable king. He visits the kingdom of arts. He saw many princesses, beautiful and clever. And yet, the only princess he longs for proves to be the girl who had knocked at his door during a rainstorm.
THE SCARLET FLOWER (SCAR) (DVD)
1977, 65 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Irina Povolotskaya.
The story of a merchant with three daughters, this film is based on the fairy tale of the same name by the Russian writer A. Aksakov. Setting out on an overseas trip, the merchant promises to bring his daughters presents. The two elder sisters ask for fabrics and other beautiful trinkets. His youngest and most loved daughter, Alyona, orders a remarkable wonder – a scarlet flower – which she had dreamed of in her sleep. That flower is found in a far-away land, the realm of a forest beast. The merchant finds the flower, but becomes the beast’s captive. Alyona follows her father to the far-away land, and her self-sacrifice is rewarded: the forest beast proves to be an enchanted handsome prince. The beautiful girl falls in love with his kind heart, freeing him from the spell of an evil sorceress.
SITTING ON THE GOLDEN PORCH (Na zlatom kryl’tse sideli) (SIT) (DVD)
1986, 72 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Boris Rytsarev.
Two kings, Fedot and Amphibrachiy, have lived peacefully next to each other for many years, but then Amphibrachiy disappears. The queen has difficulty coping with affairs and the state begins to fall into decay. Amphibrachiy’s daughter, Alyona, gets out of control, so her mother decides to find a husband for her. King Fedot has three sons: Paul, Peter, and Ivan, whom everybody considers fools. However, he manages to gain Alyona's heart, and having defeated Kashchei the Immortal, frees king Amphibrachiy from captivity.
SMESHARIKI (SME) (DVD)
2006, 483 minutes, Russian without subtitles.
A three-disc set featuring many episodes of this "cartoon for the whole family," in
which a group of colorful spherical animal friends provide entertainment ranging from
musical comedy, detective stories, and romance to soccer and even the occasional bit
of real horror. Guaranteed to bring smiles and an excellent mood.
THE SNOW MAIDEN (Snegurochka) (SNOM) (DVD)
1968, 93 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Pavel Kadochnikov.
The film is based on the play of famous Russian writer A.N.Ostrovsky. Snyegurochka (“Snow Maiden”) is the daughter of Father Frost and Beauty Spring. Her ice heart had never known simple human feelings - joy, love – until she meets a young man, Lel'. His love and warmth shows Snyegurochka the richness of the world around her, kindling the heart of the cold beauty. Spiritual images of nature, cheerful dances, folk games, songs are all components of this fairy tale.
THE SNOW QUEEN (SNOQ) (DVD)
1967, 80 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Gennadij Kazanskij.
Based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, this film’s script was written by the well-known Russian writer Yevgheny Schwartz. The film is a touching story of remarkable love, human kindness and faithfulness to one’s duties. The fairy tale tells the story of the wonderful journey of a modest little girl, Herda. Herda is searching for her friend Kai, who was kidnapped by a powerful and wicked fairy the Snow Queen, and taken to her kingdom. Travelling in search of her dear friend, Herda mistakenly lands in the castle of a sly and treacherous, though comical, king, afterwards getting acquainted with bandits in the forest. The girl meets many obstacles along the way before facing a decisive battle with the Snow Queen. It is her loyalty that overcomes all obstacles…
THE TALE OF TIME LOST (TALE) (DVD)
1964, 80 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Alexander Ptushko.
As a director, writer, animator and special effects designer, Alexander Ptushko was responsible for some of the most visually impressive fantasy films of Russian cinema. Here he brings to life a fairy tale about four old sorcerers who trade places with four lazy schoolchildren in order to regain their youth. Later, the kids discover that they can only change back to their former selves at an exact time and place or they will be stuck with the short remaining years of the sorcerers.
THREE FROM SOUR CREAM VILLAGE & OTHER STORIES (TRO) (DVD)
Russian without English subtitles. This DVD contains seven classic Russian children’s cartoons and would be suitable for all levels of Russian language students:
Three From Sour Cream Village (1978, 19 min)
Vacation in Sour Cream Village (1980, 19 min)
Winter in Sour Cream Village (1984, 17 min)
Strawberries Under the Snow (1994, 10 min)
Blind Man’s Bluff (10 min)
Boy is a Boy (10 min)
Who’s First? (1950, 10 min)
VASSILISA THE BEAUTIFUL (Vasilisa prekrasnaya) (VAS) (DVD)
1939, 72 min., Russian with English subtitles. Directed by Aleksandr Rou.
Based on a popular Russian folk tale, there once lived a father who had three sons. His two elder sons choose regular girls as brides, but the youngest one, Ivanushka, brought home a frog from the marshes. The father was very much surprised, but didn’t say anything. However, the frog actually was a beautiful girl, Vassilisa, on whom Gorynych the Serpent had cast a spell. Vassilisa had refused to marry the monster, so Gorynych turned her into a frog. Despite her appearances, Ivanushka would not renounce his love for Vassilisa. He then had to overcome many obstacles to return Vassilisa to her former appearance and kill the three-headed dragon.
REEI’s complete list of feature films in Russian can be found at our Soviet, Russian and CIS Feature Films webpage. REEI’s list of documentaries about the Soviet Union and Russia can be found on our Documentaries on Russia and the CIS webpage.
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