Product Description

Films included in this volume: Seasons (I. Ivanov-Vano, 1969), Ballerina on a Boat (L. Atamanov, 1969), Armoire (A. Khrjanovsky, 1970), Battle of Kerjenets (I. Ivanov-Vano and Yuri Norstein, 1971), Butterfly (A. Khrjanovsky, 1972), Island (F. Khitruk, 1973), Fox and Rabbit (Y. Norstein, 1973), Heron and Crane (Y. Norstein, 1974), Hedgehog in the Fog (Y. Norstein, 1975), Crane's Feathers (I. Garanina, 1977), Firing Range (A. Petrov, 1975), Contact (Vladimir Tarasov, 1978).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #58288 in DVD
• Released on: 2000-05-16
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Animated, Color, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: Russian
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 125 minutes

Vince Bonavoglia, DVD Unleashed
The artists featured on the second volume of Image Entertainment and Jove Films' enchanting Masters of Russian Animation, in their decision to abandon the real world in favor of one over which they have complete control, knew full well the inherent power of images. Each of the twelve short films presented on the disc, spanning a broad range of styles and moods, is more astounding than the next. Unfettered by the laws of nature, the animator's vision is of the purest essence, limited only by the boundaries of their imagination (a lesson well learned by modern visionaries like Tim Burton and the Brothers Quay). Given the oppressive conditions under which these films were created -- Russia has never been a bastion of free speech and unrestrained creativity -- the decidedly upbeat message delivered by most of the shorts came as somewhat of a surprise^Ethe overall picture painted is glaringly positive.

The most visually stunning piece in the set comes from Ivan Ivanov-Vano and Yuri Norstein (whose 1979 film, Tale of Tales, was deemed the best animated film of all time by a group of international animation historians). Entitled Battle at Kerzhenets, the short illustrates the onslaught of an army of foreign invaders on the unsuspecting people of Russia, portrayed in the style of the ancient masters. The Russian women, cradling infants, their robes laced with gold, look unmistakably like the Blessed Mother of the Classical period, leading one to believe that the advancing hordes have come to not only destroy the people, but their religious beliefs, as well. The filmmakers used breathtaking stop-motion animation, cut paper, and forced perspective to bring the battle at Kerzhenets to life. The invaders are draped in black and gold, their ebony horses breathing fire as they storm across the battlefield. To great effect, the score (by Rimsky Korsakov) increases in intensity as the confrontation progresses. The final moments of the battle are especially devastating: their earthly shells heaped in mounds, the spirits of the dead -- black bodies silhouetted in neon blue -- oversee the arrival of their fallen comrades into the afterlife, far and away the film's most affecting sequence. All is not without hope, however, as evidenced by the film's final sequence in which the survivors of the confrontation rise up to rebuild their shattered lives.

The twelve films, digitally restored from new 35 mm prints (struck by the National Film Archive of Russia) and presented in a number of different aspect ratios, look absolutely stunning. The overall quality of the collection is not hampered in the slightest by the few infrequent bursts of print damage and minor discoloration, a fact of life when dealing in films of this vintage. The collection spans the gamut from wildly colorful (Vladimir Tarasov's Contact) to downright dismal (Yuri Norstein's dreary Hedgehog in the Fog), all of which are magnificently displayed in crisp, superbly detailed transfers. The mono soundtrack, while not as robust as it could have been (Tchaikovsky has definitely sounded better), serves the imagery well

Customer Reviews

"Hedgehog" will incite your IMAGINATION
If you have any love of animation at all - the artistry, the depth, the impact - the Masters of Russian Animation volumes are a MUST OWN. In this edition, Norstein's "Hedgehog in the Fog" will tickle and please your visual imagination like NOTHING else! I presented this short film to an American suburban community center audience and they were SPELLBOUND! I've owned a lot of films on DVD (and sold a lot - crazy recession), but I'll never relinquish any of the four volumes in this series. NEVER! Enjoy, with my regards.

Worth gold just for the films of Ivanov-Vano
This DVD is worth gold just for the "Seasons" and the "Battle of Kerzhenets". The Seasons is one of the most exquisitely beautiful films I've ever seen by one of the greatest animators of the previous century, the Russian Ivanov-Vano. It is made on a multiplane (I think), using traditional russian lace designs and russian toys. The music is the "Seasons" (naturally) by Tchaikovsky. It's stunning and whenever I get a chance to watch it, I always get a sense of beauty and peace. Sometimes, I just wish I could live in that magical, fairytale world that Ivanov-Vano created.

The "Battle of Kerzhenets" is another film by Ivanov-Vano based on Russian Orthodox icons. A feast for the eyes, beautiful and original in all respects. The score is Rimsky-Korsakov.


Higly, highly recommended.

Hedgehog Superstar
Yes my Amazon name is a nod, if not an outright ripoff, from the Y. Norstein short included here. This disc is awesome! Norstein, the Miyazaki of Russia, is featured in this disc with four of his films represented here. I gain so much joy from watching these shorts. Just when we built up the notion of the evil red empire, our preseption will be forever changeed when we see these gems from our former enemy. The true masters of world animation are included here!