This is the misty mythical land of Wales, in the Isle of Britain.
A land of Kings and Heroes with magical powers.
whose ancient language has carried many tales of bravery.
This is but one from a collection of Keltic tales known as "The Mabinogion"
Stories from the Mabinogion
This is The Tale of
Culhwch and Olwen.
Culhwch's beginnings were strange and mysterious.
When his Mother Goleuddydd, wife of King Cilydd, was with child,
she was overcome with a strange madness.
While strolling through the woods, she was surrounded by a herd of wild swine.
In terror, Goleuddydd gave birth to a boy.
His name was Culhwch.
Years later Goleuddydd died, and Culhwch's father King Cilydd remarried.
When Culhwch was a young man, his step-mother placed a curse of love on him.
Culhwch was cursed to a life in search of Olwen,
the beautiful daughter of the giant Ysbaddaden,
who killed all those who tried to marry her
since he was doomed to die on the day of her wedding.
Culhwch decided to seek the help of his cousin, King Arthur,
the mightiest and most magical king in the world.
Hail Arthur, oh great king. I am Culhwch, your cousin and son of Cilydd.
I ask for your help in seeking the hand of Olwen.
You are welcome cousin Culhwch. But Olwen, who is this Olwen?
I know only she is the daughter of the giants' king, Ysbaddaden.
Ysbaddaden? I've never heard of such a king, or his daughter. What of my knights?
It seems that no one here knows of Olwen, or the giant Ysbaddaden.
Well then, we are on about to help our cousin Culhwch. Kay, Bedivere.
And so Culhwch and the knights set off on their quest to find Olwen.
Day and night, night and day.
They traveled and traveled.
through many lands, facing many dangers.
Through summers and winters, year after year,
they traveled on untill
...they reached a valley shrouded in a timeless age.
There they came across an ancient giant herdsman.
Do you know of Olwen, daughter of Ysbaddaden?
Each day Olwen comes to that brook there near my house,
to gather flowers and to wash her hair in the water.
Olwen? Olwen.
Since the first I heard your name, I knew I could love only you.
It's not wise to fall in love with me good knight.
But I am Culhwch, son of a king.
My father kills all those who want to marry me.
I love you, and I would ask your father for your hand.
My father will set you many impossible tasks to win my hand in marriage.
Promise to do everything, or you will die a terrible death.
I'd do anything for you.
Hey, Ysbaddaden, I am Culhwch and I want to marry Olwen.
Let me see. So, you're the little one who wants to marry my daughter.
I am a prince!
A Prince? You know you will have to do as I say?
Yes, I am prepared.
Well then I'll begin to set your tasks.
When I first met Olwen's mother,
nine vessels full of flax seed were sown, in that earth.
But none of it grew.
What you must do, is gather up that flax seed
put it in these vessels and sow it once again in the new gown. *laughs*
Easy!
After it has grown, I want the flax to be gathered,
to make a white veil for Olwen to wear at her wedding. *laughs*
Easy!
Your next task will be to fetch a comb and scissors that will do the job. *laughs*
Unfortunately, they will probably cost you your life,
as my comb scissors and razor were taken
by Wild Boar, the most ferocious beast in the land.
And you won't catch Wild Boar without Mabon,
the finest hunter in the land.
Mabon, sadly for you, disappeared without trace many years ago.
Oh, and before I can shave, my beard will have to be softened
with the blood of the black witch who lives in the valley of death.
Do these things and you gain Olwen's hand, fail and you die. *laughs*
And we shall go forth, and help Culhwch perform the tasks the giant Ysbaddaden has set for him.
One day, Gwythyr, one of King Arthur's knights,
was riding when he heard strange sounds.
The noises were coming from a giant anthill which was on fire.
We thank you for saving our lives, kind knight.
We are small, but we would like to repay you in any way we can.
That is kind of you, but there's nothing. If there is,
could you collect from the earth seeds that have not grown?
Yes, of course.
All the flax was replanted, and made into a beautiful headdress for Olwen.
*groans* A curse on this Culhwch, and on King Arthur who's helping him!
But they will never find Mabon!
And now the search for Mabon begins.
Mabon disappeared so long ago that
only the most ancient of the animals would know where he is.
I speak the language of the animals.
I shall talk to them, they may know something of Mabon.
Kay, Bedivere,
go with Culhwch and Gwrhyr to seek these ancient animals.
EAGLE OF GWENABWY!
Ancient Eagle of Gwenabwy!
Who calls for me?
I am Gwrhyr, a knight of King Arthur's court!
What? What brings you here?
We are searching for Mabon! Do you know where he is!?
Though I'm of a great age, I know not of Mabon.
However, the great salmon of Llyn Llyw is even older than I.
He may know of whom you seek.
Salmon! Salmon of Llyn Llyw!
Who is it who calls me?
We are King Arthur's knights! And we are searching for Mabon!
Each tide I swim up along the river, until I come to the castle of Caerloyw.
And each time there I hear the wails and lamentations of a prisoner.
He could be the Mabon you seek. Climb on my back, and I shall take you there.
The castle! There is the castle of Caerloyw!
HELP ME! HELP ME! - Who's that!?
I AM MABON!
We are knights of King Arthur! Will you help us capture Wild Boar!?
IF YOU CAN FREE ME FROM THIS PRISON I'LL HELP YOU!
Fear not! We will free you!
*groans* Mabon! Mabon, They have found Mabon!
Wild Boar!
There he is!
Here are the instruments to dress your hair and shave your beard, for my wedding.
*groans* You think you've got the better of me.
But you will never have the blood of the black witch.
Why am I honored by such a visit, gentlemen?
We have come for your blood.
HA! It is I who will have your blood gentlemen.
But you're welcome to try. *laughs*
I think this foul brew will shave even Ysbaddaden.
Mirror?! Show me myself!
All our exploits now are ended, love has triumphed over evil.
Culhwch has proved himself a brave defender of good.
I wish you my cousin Prince Culhwch,
and the beautiful Olwen, great joy and long life.
And may you rule wisely over your kingdom.
And that is how Culhwch sought and won the love of Olwen.
Written by Gwin Thomas directed by Valery Ugarov
art directors Igor Oleinikov, Lev Yevzovich, Margaret Jones
Music: Vladimir Martynov Music: Igor Nazaruk
animators Navill Estly, Colin Wite, Andrey Smirnov, Youry Kulakov, Alexander Markelov
cameraman Michael Satton, ass. Bill Roberts sound Vladimir Kutuzov, Lawrence Ahern
Voice artists A. Shabarin, Nina Zotkina, Vsevolod Larionov, Yefim Katsirov
Background artists: Olga Grishanova, Gennady Morozov, Sara Wilky, Julia Baranova, Yevgenia Tsaneva, Natalia Turygina
cutters Margarita Mikheyeva, Richard Breadley
Script editors Elsa Babakhina, Elena Nikitkina, Winn Jones
text writer Victor Slavkin produced by Louis Jones executive producers Nina Suchkova, Michael Satton
The End Subs by Eus after a translation by Enviousdominous, June 2017
SOYUZMULTFILM, SOVINTERFEST, METTA PRODUCTIONS LTD, NTV, S4C BBC FILMS (WALES), 1990