A Peacock's Tail

Soviet animated cartoon film of 1946 based on a fairy tale by Korney Chukovsky, created by directors Leonid Amalrik and Vladimir Polkovnikov. United with similar creative aspirations, the directors found their own style.

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CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf@Geronimo1967

November 19, 2024

The bear is a bit fed up with his stumpy tail so he goes to the doctor to get new one. He is offered a wide range of alternatives and goes for one that used to belong to a peacock. It's bright and colourful but as he parades through the forest with his fellow critters showing it off, he attracts the attention of a couple of hunters. Taking refuge in a rotten tree stump, they mistake his glittering tail for something magically valuable. When they discover it's only him hiding within, they easily capture him. Luckily, his friends have sent for the doctor who races to his rescue, and together with the rabbits and birds offers the hunters an alternative to their prize. Which will they take? I enjoyed this animation. It's light-heartedness and colourful charm bely a more serious message that all that glistens isn't gold and the underlying moral is gently but emphatically made amidst some lovely hand-drawn animation that has plenty of mischief to it too. Certainly worth ten minutes of your time, and not knowing a word of Russian (there is some dialogue) won't impair your enjoyment one bit.