7 Soviet fairy tales that will create a New Year's mood

The best way to create a New Year's mood is to review Soviet film tales. They immerse themselves in the atmosphere of magic, teach goodness, faith in miracles and unite generations at the screen. Fairy tales to watch before the New Year and during the holidays are in the Izvestia collection.

The Wizards

Why to watch: This movie is worth watching for the special blend of science fiction, romantic fairy tales and subtle humor that creates the perfect New Year's magic. The tape fills the evening with a sense of miracles happening somewhere very close ‑ at the Institute of Extraordinary Services and ancient Kitezhgrad.

The plot revolves around NUINU— a Scientific Universal Institute of Extraordinary Services, whose staff creates a "magic wand" for the holiday. The main character Alyona Sanina is bewitched by a treacherous boss, and her fiance Ivan Pukhov embarks on a New Year's journey to bring back his beloved and break the spell.

Director and actors: Konstantin Bromberg directed "The Sorcerers" based on a script by the Strugatsky brothers, whose fantastic ideas have acquired a light, musical format here. The film features Alexandra Yakovleva, Alexander Abdulov, Ekaterina Vasilyeva, Valentin Gaft, Mikhail Svetin, Emmanuel Vitorgan and other stars, and the music was composed by Evgeny Krylatov.

Frost

Why watch: this fairy tale should be included for the feeling of a good old winter from childhood and an extremely clear moral: kindness and diligence always win over greed and laziness. "Morozko" is equally fascinating for both children and adults, so it is ideal for family viewing during the holidays.

The film tells the story of a kind orphan Nastenka, whom an evil stepmother is trying to drive out of the house and destroy in the winter forest. Nastenka meets the harsh but fair wizard Morozko, and in parallel the story of the simpleton Ivan unfolds, who is turned into a bear for his bad temper so that he can truly change.

Director and actors: the film was directed by Alexander Rowe, a recognized master of the Soviet fairy tale. The film starred Natalia Sedykh, Alexander Khvylya, Eduard Izotov, Inna Churikova and other artists whose images made this tape a symbol of Soviet New Year's magic.

Evenings on a farm near Dikanka

Why watch: This movie is worth watching for the atmospheric Christmas folklore, where mysticism, humor and romance are intertwined into a vibrant Ukrainian winter fairy tale. The painting takes the viewer into the world of Gogol's characters, the devil on the roof, dumplings and night rides in the sky.

The plot follows the famous story of Nikolai Gogol: the blacksmith Vakula is trying to win the heart of the moody Oksana and is ready to go even to the queen herself for magic cherries. On Christmas Eve, the most incredible miracles are performed on the farm, involving witches, devils and lovers themselves, and the whole story ends with a fun and very popular holiday.

Director and actors: the film is based on classical literature with the participation of leading actors of Soviet cinema. The director was Alexander Rowe. The vivid characters and folklore types performed by the artists made this tape a traditional Christmas picture on Soviet and post-Soviet television. Among the actors are Yuri Tavrov, Lyudmila Khityaeva, Georgy Millyar, Alexander Khvylya.

12 months

Why watch: this tale is worth watching for a gentle but very clear lesson in justice, kindness and perseverance, which is especially important during the holidays. The film is ideal for family viewing, reminding children and adults of the value of honest work and strength of character.

The story tells about an orphan who is sent by a cruel queen and stepmother to the winter forest for snowdrops, demanding the impossible. The girl meets twelve months‑old brothers around the campfire, and they help her complete the task, but at the same time punish those who abuse power and greed.

Director and actors: the film adaptation of Samuel Marshak's play was performed with the participation of famous theater and film actors. The precise direction and expressive acting of the actors turned "12 months" into one of the main winter fairy tales of the Soviet screen. Starring Nikolai Volkov, Marina Maltseva, Tatiana Peltzer, Lev Lemke.

An old, old fairy tale

Why to watch: the film should be included for its mild humor and play with familiar fairy-tale plots that suddenly turn in the spirit of adult irony. The tape reminds us that miracles can happen to those who consider themselves too rational and mature.

The film is based on the intertwining of several fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen, where the puppeteer unexpectedly finds himself a participant in his own stories. Reality and fiction are constantly changing places, and in this kaleidoscope a New Year's feeling of renewal and faith in the best is born.

Director and actors: the film was directed by Soviet director Nadezhda Kosheverova with the participation of popular actors of that time (Oleg Dahl, Marina Neyolova, Georgy Vitsin), who organically exist both in a conventional fairy-tale space and in the "real" world. Thanks to this, the "Old, Old Tale" has remained a favorite winter film of viewers of different ages for many years.

The Icy Granddaughter

Why to watch: the film is worth watching for its original reinterpretation of the image of the Snow Maiden and the unexpected combination of a fairy tale with elements of an almost Gothic story. The film is interesting because it discusses the themes of love, sacrifice and human feelings in a way unusual for a children's fairy tale.

The plot is based on the motif of the Russian fairy tale about the Snow Maiden: an unusual girl gets into the family, whose essence is connected with winter and ice. Gradually, the characters are faced with a choice between performing miracles and the price they have to pay for interfering with the nature of feelings, which gives the story emotional depth.

Director and actors: the film was shot by Soviet director Boris Knyazarev, who also acted as a screenwriter. The film employs bright actors who create an image of a disturbing but fascinating New Year's tale for a thinking audience. Starring Svetlana Orlova, Andrey Gradov and Lyudmila Shagalova.

Masha and Vitya's New Year's Adventures

Why to watch: this tape is especially worth turning on for children: It is full of songs, fairy-tale characters, and at the same time teaches independence and friendship. For adults, the film will give nostalgia for the days when winter holidays were associated with TV Christmas trees and good fairy tales.

The plot tells about schoolchildren Masha and Vita, who go to a fabulous forest to rescue a kidnapped Snow Maiden. They are confronted by villains familiar from folklore, but the children cope with the challenges thanks to their wit, knowledge and mutual assistance, and the finale turns into a big New Year's holiday.

Director and actors: the film was shot by Gennady Kazansky and Igor Usov as a musical fairy tale with vivid numbers and memorable characters. The roles are played by popular theater and film actors, thanks to whom the film still remains a regular guest on TV programs during the winter holidays: Irina Borisova, Mikhail Boyarsky and Nikolai Boyarsky.

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