sunlion

The movie is an adaptation of a very old Russian satirical novel. To adapt the novel for the screen and make a movie was a long-time dream of the director of this movie. During the most stringent Soviet rule he couldn't make it, the censorship didn't allow it for some reasons (that could be sometimes truly bizarre and incomprehensible). Finally he succeeded and the movie was made.

The main character - young clerk who was supposed to be 17 years old, was played by brilliant Georgy Vitsin, who at the time of filming was over 50 !

The film is very light and playful, but never dumb, no unnecessary banana-peel jokes. It is a real "cure against the stress" and also another example of how a funny movie can also be a work of art.

This series are far greater than anything that has been filmed about war ever. It shows closely characters of German Nazi top during the last weeks of the war, when they understand that the war is lost. A Russian spy is working among them speeding up the war's end.

The pace of the film is slow and thorough, the movie is meant for people with ability to analyze, reflect. Characters of the people involved are depicted are so lively that the film fuses with the documentary pieces. Acting is extremely raw and natural, it actually in't acting, it's living. Tihonov in a role of Stirlitz portrays a real spy - brilliantly talented, sharp, calm, cold, patient - everything that areal spy has to be. At the same time he is not a greedy adventurous coat-turner, he works for his country, his people, his family. And the last - this film works as a litmus test on people. If you don't understand it you simply haven't matured for it. The film itself is flawless.

This film is an animated version of "Buratino", book that was written by a Russian writer based on "Pinokkio". No offense to the original, but I personally and many people I know prefer "Buratino" to "Pinokkio" that has rather grim and moralising mood. Buratino is a story for the children without the "finger shaking". Characters - puppets are fighting against their evil owner Karabas Barabas and his henchmen - leech collector Duremar and a pair of swindlers - a fox Alice and a fake blind cat Bazilio.

Phrases from the book and this film have turned into a sayings in former USSR. For instance dubious dealings that promise instant fortune are called "the Field of Miracles in the Land of Fools". Another phrase is the one that's uttered by the fox - "money, Bazilio, likes the counting". Film has wonderful music and song lyrics.