Soyuzmultfilm Moscow 1956
The Twelve Months
written by Samuil Marshak, Nikolay Erdman
Director-producer Ivan Ivanov-Vano
co-directed by Mihail Botov art directors Konstantin Karpov, Aleksandr Belyakov, Anatoliy Kuritsyn, artist leader Anatoliy Sazonov,
camera Nikolay Voinov, Yelena Petrova composer Moissey Vaynberg sound Nikolay Prilutskiy
ass. directors: V. Sveshnikova, G. Andreyeva, L. Sazonova, ass. artist: T.Sazonova
animators Ye. Hludova, K. Chikin, B. Butakov, N. Fyodorov, T Fyodorova, F. Hitruk, B. Meyerovich, F. Yepifanova V. Ryabchikov, V. Krumin, V. Popov, L. Popov
artists K. Malyshev, O. Gemmerling, Ye. Tannenberg, V. Valeryanova production director Natan Bitman
Ka! Ka! It's freezing!
Ah, a flight could warm me up!
I should fly up!
But... I am old now, and have no strength.
Even moving fast, The heat doesn't last!
- So cold! - So cold!
Squrrels, hey squirrels, let's play Gorelki*. [a game like "Tag" where a chaser has to tick the others to be "it" with his fingers.]
To call in the sun! To call in the spring!
squint-eyed, squint-eyed, Do not go barefoot,
Walk in shoes, Cover your feet.
When you will be wearing shoes, The wolf won't find you,
The bear won't find you. And- so - you'll - be- it!!
- you're it! - No, I am not!
- Yes, you are it! - You, you!
Be awake, be clearly awake, or you will miss it,
Glimpse at the sky - where the birds fly,
and little bells be ringing.
Catch us, catch us, turtle-legs!
You won't get us!
I'll get you!
You won't get me!
That's not fair!
You cheat!
You're all up there?
I'm not playing with you any more!
Come on, hare, jump, jump!
Jump up, jump up!
Use your tail to reach the branch!
My tail is too short...
How dare you laugh at me!
I'm pretty good, so don't be rude!
So there you are!
A good day to you, my beauty!
Why are you so joyful?
Did you discover a treasure
or hear some good news?
A hare and red squirrels were playing tag.
Here, at this very spot!
Don't you believe me?
How could I not believe it?
Don't you know what day it is?
It's the end of the old year
and the beginning of the new.
At New Year's Eve even stranger things are possible.
Like what?
My grandfather once told me,
as his grandfather had told him...
that on the very Eve of the New Year...
Atchew!
Be blessed, my beauty!
Thank you! And you as well!
As I was saying, my grandfather told me
that on the eve of New Year
his grandfather had
a chance meeting with "The Twelve Months".
The old man saw the whole year together:
the winter, summer, spring and fall.
Really?
Sure.
Gesundheit, sir!
I'm OK! Nothing wrong here!
I only hope that you, little beauty, won't catch a cold.
So tell me, what are you wandering around for in such frosty weather?
My stepmother has sent me to collect branches,
and dry some firewood.
Well, now!
So you're an orphan?
Well, let me help you,
before I go on with my work.
And what is your work?
I am sent to cut a New Year's tree
for the queen herself!
With a queen you do not trifle!
If she doesn't like the tree, for instance,
I'm done for!
But what can she do to you?
Whatever she wants to do.
Despite her being not much older than you,
when her parents died...
she became the absolute ruler
of herself and everyone else.
So our queen is an orphan too?
How sad.
Sad indeed!
She has no one to make her see reason.
You mean she will remain ignorant, illiterate?
Why would she be illiterate?
She is taught grammar.
A tutor visits her.
"Professor", they call him.
M i e
Ma-jes-stee.
Done!
It's my humble duty to inform you,
Your Majesty,
that you have committed three faults.
So what!
They'll be gone shortly.
Watch.
Not a fault in sight!
I hate writing!
"The grass is green, the sun shines,
the swallow flies the spring into our hall."
I will only write "The grass is green" and that's all!
Ther grass
is grien.
I humbly request that you sign an edict
and four decrees, Your Majesty.
All right.
But then I will not finish writing the word "grien".
Enough!
Well, you are ready to go.
It is high time for me to begin
finding the New Year's tree.
Let me show you one!
It's so nice!
Every single branch!
Okay, show me, if you're not too tired.
Don't be silly, sir!
I'm not at all tired!
I'm exhausted!
Now, if I may, could you decide on these petitions...
Another paper-signing?!
The decisions are of the highest importance
to the prisoners begging for them
What should I write?
You have a choice of two, your Majesty:
either "Execute" or "Mercy granted."
Me-r-c-y-g-r-a-n-t-e-d
e-x-e-c-u-t-e.
I'll write "execute";
it is shorter.
Oh, your Majesty,
What did you write!
Did I make a spelling mistake again?
should I perhaps write "Ek-c-ee-c-u-t-e"?
No, you wrote the word correctly
but still, you have made a serious error.
You have sent a man to his death without thinking!
You know that I can send you to be executed, too?
Even today if I want!
How have I angered you, your Majesty?
Whatever I say, you always say it's Wrong!
And anything I write, you always say: - Not like that!
Excuse me, your Majesty,
I will never again...
contradict you.
Oh, really?
Well, then let's continue with our lesson.
Ask me anything.
How much is six times six, your Majesty?
Seventeen!
That's right, your Majesty.
How much is eight times eight?
Three.
Right again, your Majesty.
How much is...?
How much is this and how much is that!
How nosy you are!
You ask and ask...
Better tell me something that is entertaining.
About what?
Well, something about...
...the New Year!
After all, today is New Year's Eve.
As you wish.
One year, your Majesty,
consists of twelve months!
They follow one another.
Each one brings its own gifts and joys.
December, January and February:
ice skating
sledge rides and winter markets.
In March the snow melts.
In April...
from under the snow...
peep the first Snowdrops*. [*white flowers]
Really?
I wish it were already April.
I love Snowdrops!
But that's impossible, your Majesty!
Do you begin again?!
Your Majesty, not me, but the Laws of Nature!
I'll dictate...
A new Law of Nature!
Sit at my desk
and write it down.
Now I will dictate to you!
Write.
"The grass is green,
the sun shines... "
Huh?
Yes, yes, write it down!
"Overlooking the New Year celebrations I command:
Let the Snowdrops start blooming today! "
"The grass is green, the sun shines,
and swallows fly in the spring sky. "
"He who brings us Snowdrops before dawn today,
shall receive a basket of gold!"
"However many Snowdrops are in the basket,
that is how many gold coins he shall receive! "
Unfortunately, our biggest basket has a hole in it.
This basket should hold enough gold!
Well, we chose the basket then,
But where to get... the Snowdrops?
There are no Snowdrops in winter!
Out there
the snow is piling up,
as high as the roof!
What a snowstorm has risen!
Couldn't it be that under the snow they're growing in secret?
Maybe that's why they're called Snowdrops!
Well?
Have you warmed up?
I need you for another errand.
Where to?
Is it far?
To the forest,
to get Snowdrops.
How can anyone find Snowdrops now?
It storms so hard that you can't see earth nor heaven!
Well!
Enough talk!
Go!
And don't come back without Snowdrops!
Oh!
No more!
Oh!
No more!
A wolf!
Asleep for the New Year
Is the whole forest.
All the neighbours sleep.
All the bears sleep.
Hush-a
The rabbits, the hares.
Hush-a
The weasels!
Only I can't sleep -
I think deep thoughts
about my trouble.
I...I...I have such longing
and insomnia.
On my heels
hunger chases me.
It smells like human presence.
It will be my New Year's Eve dinner!
Ka!! Ka!! Go your own way, brother
and leave her alone!
And watch it! You could be in danger yourself!
My eyes are sharp!
Over twenty miles I can see!
What do you see?
I see a fire.
Where?
There, on your right!
Oh!
It is true,
something shines there!
Shine, shine brightly so summer will be warmer
and winter not so cold,
spring will last longer.
So shine, shine brightly, and don't fade out!
Shine, Light up bright!
May the bushes,
where the snow still falls,
have more berries!
Let the bear have more food and the bees make more honey
Let the fields of millet
be heavy with grain.
Shine! Shine brightly - Summer will be hotter
winter will be warmer!
spring will last longer,
May the bushes, where the snow still falls,
be full of berries.
Good evening.
And to you,
Good evening.
May I approach your fire to warm myself?
Well, come warm yourself, since you've come.
What is it you have there?
A basket?
Is it, perhaps, for pinecones?
No...
Not for pinecones.
For mushrooms?
Not for mushrooms
but for flowers.
My stepmother sent me
to collect Snowdrops.
You hear, brother April,
Snowdrops!
So she is your guest
to welcome!
I'd laugh too, if I were in your place,
but it is not a laughing matter.
Our queen promised
a basket of gold to
whoever brings to the palace
a basket of Snowdrops.
So my stepmother sent me into the forest.
You're in a bad spot, dear!
Now is not the time for Snowdrops.
You'll have to wait until April.
I know, Grandpa,
But I have nowhere to go until I find them.
Well,
thanks for
the fire,
and for your kindness.
Wait, girl!
Don't rush off!
Brother January,
Give me an hour of your time!
I would be happy to,
but April cannot come before February and March.
Well, for me there is no problem.
Okay,
I'll also step aside.
In that case,
I leave it in your hands!
Scatter, streams!
Flow out, puddles!
Come on out, ants, after winter's chill!
Bear, sneak through the forest's deadwood!
Let the birds begin to sing,
and the Snowdrops bloom!
I recognized her at once, as soon as I saw her.
We, the winter months, know her well.
At holes in the frozen lakes we meet her with buckets,
then in the woods with bundles of firewood.
And she is always with a smile,
is cheerful,
and always singing.
- June - We, the summer months, also know her well.
- July - How could we not know her!
Even before sunrise,
she is on her knees beside the garden beds -
Weeding, binding up the beans, and taking the caterpillars off the leaves.
When she comes to the forest
She's careful not to break any branches without need.
Well, if we all like her,
I will give her
my engagement ring!
Go on!
That's up to you, as you're the youngest!
Thank you, owners, for your kindness.
Here, please take...
this ring as keepsake.
If you are ever in trouble,
throw it down and say:
"Roll, roll, ring! Over the spring's doorstep
Through the summer's passage through the autumn's chamber
Over the winter's carpet and to the New Year's fire"
We will come to your aid;
all at once,
with storm, with blizzard,
or with spring thaw!
- January: Only...
don't reveal to anyone how to get to us!
The way here is prohibited
I will die
before I disclose it to anyone!
Farewell, brothers Months!
Farewell, sister!
Hey brother in name...
Celestial moon!
Come forth from behind the cloud!
Do us a favour,
and lead our guest home safely!
Well, brother January,
Time to take over the staff.
Wait a moment, there is still a bit of time.
He's led her home.
Thank you!
It's time!
Coming from the northern seas,
from the gates of silver,
so greedy, so spacious,
I let free the Three Sisters!
Storm, the elder sister,
with your wind, make the fire big.
Frost, the middle sister.
Make a pot out of silver.
To boil juice in spring,
To cook tar in summer...
Lastly I call
The winter storm plague.
Blizzards Firing themselves up and sweeping all,
swirling around the icy colds, and heaping up snow
All roads and pathways -
now cannot be ridden through, nor walked through!
Happy New Year, Your Majesty!
To new joys!
To new joys, Your Majesty!
My joys are always new.
The New Year has not yet arrived.
Still, your Majesty,
Today is the first of January.
You are wrong.
How many days does December have?
Exactly thirty-one, your Majesty.
Well then today is 32 December.
What a lovely joke!
No, I'm not kidding!
Tomorrow will be December 33,
The day after tomorrow, December 34,
then December 35,
December 36,
December 37...
and December will have no end
until I'm brought
a basket full of Snowdrops!
Forgive me, your Majesty, but no one will bring them to you!
Again?!
Yes, again and again, your Majesty.
The truth is more precious than my head! Yes, again and again, your Majesty.
I'm sorry but truth is more precious to me than my head!
December cannot have 37 days!
And eight times eight
is sixty-four, your Majesty!
And Snowdrops definitively do not bloom until April!
It's true, your Majesty;
they don't bloom until April.
Nonsense!
That is nonsense!
If in five minutes
I will not be given Snowdrops,
then in ten minutes
both of you will lose your heads!
Lord Chancellor,
Please prepare a sentence for the two of them.
But...
Please, your majesty, I am only responsible for the garden plants!
The forest is the responsibility of the chief forester!
Oh, I see!
Very well.
Lord Chancellor,
preparing a sentence for three then.
Oh!
Happy New Year, your Majesty!
Lord Chancellor!
Make it a sentence for three people
and a parrot!
Your majesty,
In obedience to the Royal Decree these women
brought a basket filled
with snowdrops!
Musicians!
Play!
Well, the New Year has finally arrived.
December ended, so now you can congratulate me.
Happy New Year, your Majesty!
To new joys!
Happy New Year, your Majesty!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year and New Joys!
Happy New Year!
And New Joys!
Happy New Year!
New Joys!
Happy new coat!
Happy new woolly coat!
Here's a pinecone for the New Year!
And a fir-cone for you!
Pine!
Fir!
Pine!
Fir!
Pine!
Fir!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Joys!
When my daughter and I heard the Royal Decree,
we thought...
May will not rest,
even if we freeze,
until we will meet the wishes of the Queen!
We took the basket
and headed into the woods.
And so we walked, and walked,
and we suddenly found
a lake.
Round, like a plate.
And on its banks...
flowers...
By the Thousand!
Miles of them!
That's wonderful!
Bring the horses!
My coat!
Their coats!
We'll ride into the forest
to that Lake with the Snowdrops!
These women...
will show us the way.
Eh... we do not really know the way.
We do not know.
It was my stepdaughter who brought them.
It was she, the good-for-nothing, who went into the woods.
And where is she?
We left her by our gate.
- By your gate? - Mm-hmm.
All right.
I give you exactly five minutes
to bring her here!
And if you value your heads,
don't be late!
- Don't let us perish! - Don't let us perish!
- We don't want to lose our heads! - Oi!
Mother of the country, Your Majesty!
she agreed to go again for flowers
But she refused to lead us there.
What stubbornness!
Stepmother: but we, your Majesty, outwitted her.
Let her go,
and my daughter will be on her heels,
We only need to follow my daughter's track on the sled.
Let's go! Horses! A fur coat!
Here is the oak,
From where I saw the light.
Oh!
Where did you come from?
That's so like you! To deceive me!
I felt sorry for you, but I shouldn't have.
- Let's back! - You can't go back!
The Queen herself will arrive here!
Stepmother: Here is my stepdaughter, Your Majesty!
So... Do you know where the flowers grow in winter?
Ask of me whatever you like,
I will give you anything you ask for, Only show me
where the snowdrops can be found.
Well, go and show me.
I'm sorry, I cannot fulfil your request.
I am not allowed.
Request? [Laughs] It is not a request, it's an order.
Now lead us to the Snowdrops!
Oh, that's how it is?!
Take away her coat!
Well?
Remove her scarf and mittens!
Oh, my ring!
What a wonderful ring!
- Where did you get it? - I will not say.
How dare you!
- Tell me now! - I will not tell!
Then say goodbye to your ring!
Roll, roll ring, Over the spring's doorstep,
Through the summer's passage through the autumn's chamber
Over winter's carpet and to the New Year's fire!
Queen: Get her! Get her!
[Birds singing]
Queen: Spring has come...
It can not be! This does not happen!
Snowdrops!
Where, where are the Snowdrops?
But these are not Snowdrops but... but May-lilies!
Where do you see May-lilies?
Those are daisies!
What daisies? There are no flowers here!
Truly, where are the flowers?
Gone!
Head Guard: On the other hand there are strawberries!
Oh... I can't breathe!
- It's hot! - Oh!
- Oh!
Oh, I think - I have a sunstroke!
Oh, water, water!
Ah! Oh! Help!
Save me! Catch me! I'm flying!
We shall ride back immediately!
In the sleigh?! But the road washed away!
Ride!
Stop! I'll get you all executed!
Look, snow! it's winter again!
That is very likely. For it's the month of January.
Oh, I'm cold, it hurts!
Oh, we are lost!
Oh, my feet! Oh, my hands!
Hey, Grandpa! Help us get out of here.
I will reward you royally!
Would you like gold, silver - I will not spare anything!
I do not need anything, I have everything.
Look how much silver - you have never seen so much!
I could give you more than you could give me.
Tell me, what do you want for the New Year?
What are your wishes?
I just want to return to the palace,
But we have nothing to ride on now.
You shall have something to ride on.
I would like everything to be in its proper place
and in its proper time:
Winter to be winter, summer to be summer
and I myself to be at home.
Granted. And you, soldier?
Just a fire to get warm, would be okay!
- And we both want a coat! - Wait a minute! We can do better then that!
Why should I wait? Any sort of coat,
even of dog fur would be nice only right now, as soon as possible!
Done. Wear them to your hearts desire! They will last you a lifetime.
Oh, you fool, you fool!
If we were to ask a fur coat, at least we could have asked for sable!
You're the fool!
And if you do not like it, I'll take them both - that will be warmer!
Oh, give it here! Stupid girl!
You stupid girl! Begging for a dog coat!
You even look like a dog. Bark like a dog!
You're like a dog!
- No, you're a dog! - No, you're a dog!
No, you dog!
- Dog! - Woof!
[Barking]
Get them quickly into this sleigh and then ride straight at the light.
A fire is lit not far from here. Once you reach it, you can warm up.
It is a pity to run through the snow heaps in such shoes!
Hey, workers of the forest,
Isn't there a painted sled,
covered with sable fur,
and silver tipped?
I'll give horses that fit the sleigh.
[Whistling]
May: My horses are well fed, they have golden hooves,
and Manes shining like silver,
They stamp the ground - and thunder strikes!
[Dogs barking]
I wish health to all this honest company!
Allow us to warm up!
And why don't you come too?
I can't recognize you now. You look like a queen!
What! What are you talking about? You just wait!
[Dogs barking]
What a marvel! I have never seen these dogs, but I seem to know their voices...
It is as though they are not barking, but quarreling.
Of course you know them!
They got their fur coats only recently,
but they were dogs even before.
Both your stepmother,
and her daughter.
Oh, will they stay as dogs all their lives now?
Not quite...
Let them live with you for three years and guard your house and yard.
[Whine]
After those three years, if they behave,
We'll take their dog's coats off.
Well, dear guests, get ready to be on your way,
before the storm breaks out.
What the heck, I'll give you my bells as a farewell present.
[Bells ringing]
March: Lots of ringing makes for a more joyful ride!
Ah, we wouldn't mind having those white horses giving us a lift, too! ..
Shall I ask Your Majesty?
No need to ask! I'm still the Queen!
Listen... ride us home.
I will see to it that you get royally rewarded!
Thank you, but I do not need your gifts.
How does she dare refuse me?!
It seems you didn't ask properly, so she didn't answer "properly".
But queens cannot talk otherwise. They order, they do not ask!
Then perhaps, Your Majesty, you could talk more
like a person, not a queen:
"Do us a favour, give us a lift!"
I think I understand...
Could you give us a lift, please?
We are very cold!
Well, of course, I'll give you a lift.
And I will give you a fur coat, and I won't ask for it back.
I know how cold one can get!
- Farewell, month of April! - Farewell, my dear! Await our visit!
All of us will come to you - each in his time of year.
Thank you, brother-months!
I will not forget your kind New Year's fire!
I would be glad to forget, but I won't be able to.
Good luck!
Have a smooth ride home!
The moon went to rest early.
as did the string of stars.
From the wide open plains
The sun lights up red!
Let the sun lead your way
to a new day
and a New Year!
So shine and Shine brightly
and don't fade out!
The End
Subtitles by ?, Eus, Niffiwan