"Soyuzmultifilm" Moscow, 1947
The Little Humpbacked Horse (story by Pyotr Yershov)
written by Nikolay Rozhkov, Yevgeniy Pomeshchikov text editor A. Surkov
director-producer I. Ivanov-Vano
director Aleksandra Snezhko-Blotskaya, consulting director Victor Gromov camera Nikolay Voinov
art director Lev Milchin artists V. Rodgero, I. Troyanova, Alexander Belyakov, O. Gemmerling, G. Nevzorova,
music V. Oranskiy conductor G. Gamburg sound N. Bazhenov
animators Nikolay Fyodorov, Roman Davydov, Tatyana Fyodorova, I. Stariuk, B. Titov, Valentin Lalayants, D. Belov, Lidiya Reztsova
B. Petin, Mihail Botov, Boris Dyozhkin, A. Manafov, Grigoriy Kozlov, Nadezhda Privalova, Faina Yepifanova, Pyotr Repkin, K. Malyshev,
production director Boris Wolf, cam.ass. Ye Rizo, Ye Petrova, N Sokolova, montage N Aravina, tech.ass. V Sveshnikova, G Lyubarskaya, N Orlova, K Apestina,
Past the woods and mountains steep,
Past the rolling waters deep,
Where the skies black earth behold,
Lived a peasant weak and old.
Of his sons - and he had three -
Eldest sharp was as could be.
Next son was a bit askew,
And the third - a fool, right through.
Once, upon an evil day,
Dire misfortune came their way,
Someone, when the day was through
Took to trampling wheat they grew.
Never had such grief before Come to visit at their door.
So at last they understood
Nightly guard would do them good.
You, Ivan just go around. Watch the field and space abound.
We'll lay low and watch this spot, Soon the loathsome thief'll be caught!
Stars, stars...
one, two, three...
All night long, I count thee
Four, five, six and... there's seven!
Fingers ten can't count all heaven!
If you will but set me free,
Two brave stallions I'll give thee
And such handsome steeds I bear As have ne'er been seen, I swear.
Sell the two, if you so need,
But part not with the little steed!
Where'er you go, on land or sea,
Faithful friend to you he'll be.
So, farewell! I will roam free...
Not in our field, hopefully!
Log house, stove... all swing around, No place for their master to lay down.
Where in this hangover dread, Shall I hide my rowdy head?
Don't you worry 'bout the boot,
Hey, stomp with your foot.
Drunks "knee-deep" all seas shall measure, But their heads they do not treasure.
Heavens! Look what a lovely pair, our young fool has hidden there!
Oh, the field, the field of mine
Roaming free just feels so fine!
Roaming free just feels... Hugh?!
Oh, my horses black as night,
With your golden manes so bright!
Did not I look after you? What foul devil stole you? Who?
Don't blame devils for their deeds, your two brothers stole those steeds!
Yes, your loss is great, I know
But I'll help you in your woe.
Mount my back-when I say: 'Go', Hold to me for all you know!
Golly, what a wondrous flame!
There's five hatfulls' light in there,
But no smoke or heat, I swear!
This brings you delight, I gather?! Nothing but a Fire-Bird's feather.
But, Ivan, for your own sake, Take it not, for in its wake
Many sorrows, many woes, Follow everywhere it goes.
Don't give me some silly rule.
I am also not a fool!
Many sorrows, many woes
Follow everywhere it goes.
Honest masters, come this way!
See what wares we have today!
Sables, ferrets... different furs! Pick and choose, you lovely girls!
Here I have the yokes renowned Saddles and some horsewhips sound!
Tawed reins!
Honey cakes!
Come young maidens and young lads!
Savor all my gingerbreads!
Tsar's approaching!
Redhead chamberlain beside him- He's horse keepers' chief supreme.
What a sight they're to behold
Just to me, you will be sold!
Who's the owner?
My good people, who...
Owns these handsome chargers two?
Tsar, these steeds belong to me,
I'm their owner, too, you see.
Well, I wish to buy the team. Would you sell them to me, say?
No, I'm swapping them today.
What will you be taking, then?
Two times five fistfuls of silver.
That I think will make it... ten.
Ten!
Oh, um...
Well...
Shake hands!
Hey you, weigh it out!
Whatcha looking at, old snake?
Take the steeds, for goodness sake!
Oh, good people, what a show!
I could die just laughing so!
Now, my grooms can't hold those two,
So, there's nothing else to do.
But to come along with me.
I shall issue a decree,
Make you Master of my Horse,
Like a lord you'll live, of course.
What a wonder!
Let it be!
I shall serve Your Majesty!
Have I fallen from your grace?
And my job which I embrace?
You just got what you deserve!
Under Ivan you shall serve!
Take them, Ivan, faithful slave
To my stable, steeds so brave!
Just you wait, you dirty lout,
Time will come, I'll turn you out.
Tsar's Stables
Servant life is sloth and folly
Chasing pigeons - he is jolly.
Steeds well-fed and clean appear
Could some ghost be working here?
Can it be, a goblin sprite
Comes and braids their manes at night?
I will watch my little pet -
He shall bite the bullet yet.
I'll your silky bangs unbraid
With a fine-toothed comb inlaid
Brush your manes and braid 'em back
And admire your beauty black.
Oh you, skipping horses mine
You are graceful, you are fine!
But the heart perceives most dear
My humpback who's always near.
This shall be your bitter end,
To the gallows you'll be sent.
All the Court knows it is true,
What Ivan conceals from you.
Tisn't silver, tisn't gold,
Fire-Bird's feather, Sire... Behold!
And he boasts, as I've heard,
That, did you but say the word,
He could bring the Bird of Fire, To your Royal Chamber, Sire.
Hey, fetch for me that foolish lad!
Won't escape my fist-too bad!
By what law and what decree
Have you from Our Majesty
Hidden what is ours by right?
Yes, the Fire-Bird's feather bright?
Pardon me this once, please do
And I'll lie no more to you.
You'll be pardoned for the nonce,
Seeing you have sinned but once.
You have boasted, as I've heard,
That, did I but say the word,
You could bring the Bird of Fire To the Chamber of your Sire.
May the lightning strike my head if such thing I ever said!
If you don't acquire this thing
For the Chamber of your king
By my Royal Beard I vow, Though you hide beneath the ground,
I'll impale you, I'm not lying! Scram!
...you serf!
...ah-hah, now you're crying!
You rejected my advice, now, you have to pay the price.
Oh, whatever shall I do?
Help me, oh my friend so true.
I'll say 'twixt you and me -
This is easy as can be!
Hard bit's yet to come, so please, Put your mind, Ivan, at ease.
Telling you in language plain, We will need the best of grain,
And two troughs. Then, if you please, Wine, brought in from overseas.
Really, we've no time to waste. And at dawn we must make haste.
Ivan's gone long time from here.
Somewhere lies he drunk, I fear.
Let you down this time, I think,
Broke decrees and did not blink.
Were he empty-handed to arrive
I would skin the fool alive.
I am twisting little rope
Lovingly, kid's noose I grope
Just for his, of all the heads- He shall test the strength of threads.
Soon, I'll finish with my noose
Insult's gone when he'll hang loose.
Vile hound, snout of swine!
May you bow-like twist your spine!
May you choke on birch bark shoe!
May you fall the black earth through!
What have you brought back for me?
Show me! Patience's not my trait.
Father Tsar, a moment's wait!
Bid them first, Your Majesty, Shut the chamber casement tight,
Draw the shades, keep out the light.
Hey, Boyars! You should make haste
I need day with night replaced.
Oh how lively you do leap
Come enjoy your peaceful keep!
Vanya, friend, I love you so,
Lightened is my heart, you know.
And, in token of my joy,
Be my Royal Groom, my boy!
You won't always prosper so,
Have such foolish luck, oh no!
I'll get you in trouble, yet!
Yes, I will, my little pet!
In some distant German lands,
Ocean flows along the sands;
And it washes foreign shores,
And it's sailed by merchant moors.
Foreign travelers do swear Of a maiden living there.
She's no common maiden, see-
Daughter to the Moon is she,
Sun's her brother, goes the word
And the Maiden, as I've heard...
I'll get you in trouble, yet!
Yes, I will, my little pet!
BANYA (bath)
Get him, get him, get him clean!
Front and back and in between-
Birch twig switch of leafy green
One, two-water off duck's back is dripping
Good health comes from all this whipping.
And will be our Father mild
Rosy red like tender child
From the waters boiling wild.
One, two-water off duck's back is dripping
Good health comes from all this whipping.
One, two-water off duck's back is dripping
Good health comes from all this whipping.
Tsar, your Vanya gaily said,
Swearing by your Royal Head,
That he knew this birdie -yes-
So he called her, I confess.
And, O Sire, it's also true
That he bragged to catch her, too.
Vanya, let me say I have been informed today
That just now, my lad, you said, Swearing by my Royal Head,
You could get some "birdie" new -
That's to say, Tsar-Maiden true.
Oh my Tsar, that isn't true! Someone's been deceiving you!
Won't obey me? 239 Just you see...
If you don't, in short weeks three,
Bring to me Tsar-Maiden Fair
To this Chamber - I do swear:
I will torture your thick head,
They will rip you shred to shred.
In this lovely silky tent
I my loneliness lament
And for no-one my voice sings
As I nod and pluck my strings.
Oh dear Tsar, it's time to sing
Since Tsar-Maiden he won't bring
Serf has played another trick
Drive him in a coffin thick.
Peerless, beautiful princess,
Be my bride! Agree - say yes!
Oh! Your falcon eyes so bright
They will haunt me day and night!
They will torture me by day,
And at nights, drive sleep away!
Say but one sweet word to me
Everything is ready, see.
And tomorrow, oh my life, We'll be wedded man and wife.
I won't marry your grey head! Toothless, old - we won't be wed!
I may be old... but I'm bold!
You regain your youth anew, And I'll gladly marry you.
O, dear Maiden, listen here - One can't be reborn, I fear
Why can you not be my wife?
If you have no fear of pain,
You will soon be young again.
Listen, early in the morn,
On the palace court-yard lawn,
You must have three cauldrons ready,
Two-on fires burning steady.
Now, the first one must be filled
To the brim, with water chilled,
While the next-with water hot -
Have it boiled there on the spot;
Then, with milk fill up the last,
Heat it, till the milk boils fast.
If you want to marry me,
Young and handsome wish to be,
First you must your robes divest,
Plunge into the milk, undressed.
Next, in boiling water. Then,
In the water cold - and when
You emerge - Oh, Father my,
You'll be a young and handsome guy.
Oh, dear Father, don't get sad,
Try this trick on our lad.
Cauldrons' magic he should test
If it works, then be my guest.
Listen, now - tomorrow morn on the palace court-yard lawn,
You, Ivan, must do your best
These three cauldrons you must test.
Each will be with liquid filled: Milk, then water - boiled, then chilled.
Into each of them you'll dive.
But I shall be boiled alive!
Chickens, pigs, and turkeys -yes- People scald them, I confess.
A cold bath - why that's quite Diff'rent and that's alright.
What? You dare talk back to me? Put him under lock and key!
Talk like this - you getting then
Bread and water regimen!
First you do the cauldron bit Then we'll talk about it.
If we only never met.
If you're hurt, I do regret...
Tsar will be the death of me.
He'll be boiling me, you see.
God bless you and do not cry.
We will manage, you and I.
I would sooner perish, than leave you in the lurch, Ivan.
Say: Your Gracious Majesty! Won't you send my horse to me
So that I can say good-bye To my horse before I die.
Tsar will agree, you'll see.
Now, my lad, go, say your prayers, Sleep in peace, forget your cares.
Now, undress yourself, my man
Try the cauldrons best you can.
Oh, Your Gracious Majesty,
Won't you send my horse to me
So that I can say good-bye To my horse, before I die.
If the milk does not boil proper, Water one will be his stopper.
Why are you just staying still? Wait's been long - now do my will!
Subtitles prepared for KG by Quigley (11.2012), edited by Niffiwan (03.2021), Modified from L. Zelikoff's translation
-THE END-