From the collection of films of the USSR State Film Archive
Soyuzmultfilm, Moscow 1965
The Fox, the Beaver and Others
screenwriter Sergei Mikhalkov
directors Mihail Tsehanovskiy, Vera Tsehanovskaya
art directors Natan Lerner, Aleksandr Belyakov
composer Aleksandr Varlamov
camera Yelena Petrova, sound Boris Filchikov
assistant directors N. Palatkina, T. Sazonova
animators Faina Yepifanova, Vladimir Krumin, Boris Butakov,
Konstantin Chikin, Ivan Davydov, Valentin Kushneryov,
Viktor Shevkov, Vladimir Zarubin, Vyacheslav Kotyonochkin, I. Berezin,
Iosif Kuroyan, V. Rogov, Dmitriy Anpilov
voices Serafim Anikeyev, Sergey Filippov, Sergey Martinson,
A. Kotova, Yelena Ponsova, Margarita Korabelnikova
script editor Raisa Frichinskaya production director G. Kruglikov
narrator Sergei Mikhalkov
The Lion and the Label
The Lion woke and, furious, started raging,
The silence was broken with a fierce, dreadful roar -
Some beast had decided to go and mock the lion:
He had attached a label to his tail.
On it is writ: "Donkey", A date, a number-fraction,
A round seal, right beside a signature by someone...
Ah, what to do?
Where should I start?
Tear it off from my tail?!
But that number? That seal?
I'd have to answer for it, too...
Having decided to legally shed the label,
To the beasts' gathering the angry lion went.
You understand, there is a certain matter, brothers...
I tell you, I'm not used to such pranks, as a rule!
When I woke up this morn, and started dressing,
I looked at my tail and a label saw!
On it was writ: "Donkey",
A date, a number-fraction,
A round seal, right beside a signature by someone.
Having decided to legally shed the label,
I did not tear it off. And came to you straight 'way.
Am I a Lion or not?!
A reasonable question.
But legally, we see: you're a donkey.
How am I a donkey, when hay's not in my diet?!
Am I a lion or not? Just ask the kangaroo!
Well, I would say, it's true that in your manner
There's something lion-like, but what, I can't quite say!
Donkey! Why don't you speak? Go tell them your opinion:
Do I look like those beasts who sleep inside a barn?
Well, I can tell you this,
Though it pains me to say it:
You aren't an ass just yet, but are a lion no more!
Am I a Lion or not?
I don't know what to do, or where to start?
- Just go and tear it off! - But the number? The stamp?
I'd have to answer for it, too...
The lion lost his fierce look, slowly began to wither.
He began to give way to every sundry beast.
'Til finally one dawn, out from the lion's den
Suddenly came the donkey's bray: "Eee-ah!"
The moral of the fable's this:
A label's stronger than a Lion!
The Fox and the Beaver
The Beaver caught the Fox's eye:
"He has got ample silver in his coat,
And he's one of those beavers, too, Whose kin are good at what they do."
In short, for some time heretofore The fox had fancied the beaver!
Am I not a shrewd lass?
And are you not a quick one, also?
Surely you're no worse than your girlfriends?
What can I say?
It's long past time you had a Beaver of your own!
Look at my darling Fox, hunting after Beaver:
She twirls her tail in front of him,
She whispers tender words, Of this and that...
Am I not a shrewd lass?
And am I not a quick one, also?
Surely I'm no worse than my girlfriends?
It's long past time I also had
my own Beaver!
I'm so in love!
I've really lost my peace and sleep, My peace and sleep.
Forget Mrs. Beaver, and my kids...
I can't bear living without you.
I'm so in love! I'm so in love!
I've really lost
my peace and sleep.
I was so worried. Why're you so late?
I was tied up with serious business.
There is your favorite jam, for tea.
You know,
I do not eat so late.
A "C"?
A "D"?
A "D"...
There's our father!
Where? Can't see him...
Over there, look! With Fox, skiing.
I've really lost my peace and sleep.
Are you so in love?
I'm so in love!
Mrs. Beaver, my family... who cares?
I can't imagine
living without Fox.
Beaver's gray-haired head got all dizzy with delight.
And, having lost his peace and sleep,
he left his Beaveress for good,
having decided that, for him,
she was too stupid and too old.
The blue sea was gaily playing,
Turquoise waves full of good cheer.
As we parted, tears were rising
In your eyes so warm and dear.
And the sea seemed to be saying,
With its soft and friendly roar:
"Don't be sad - your love will find you,
He'll come hold you as before."
You're coming home at dawn again!
All you think of are ducks and chickens.
A dinner here, a lunch-out there.
You've gone from red- to silver-haired!
I'm off.
Don't wait for me.
I won't be back.
One day, next to the watering hole,
Old Hedgehog met his good old friend:
Hello, Beaver!
So, how is your life with that... what's her name... with Ms. Fox?
What can I even tell you, neighbor?
It really is no life at all.
What should I do, bro? Give some advice!
All she wants is to go out, dress up...
I come home, and she goes out the door.
I'll tell you plainly, beast to beast:
In truth, I almost want to drown myself.
I have been thinking, to be honest,
that maybe I should go back home, now.
My wife will forgive me, I'm sure.
I know what a kind soul she is.
- Run along home. - Thank you, Hedgehog!
Otherwise, buddy, you'll be toast.
- Who's there? - Beaver!
Ah, my dear God!
Open up, I have returned home.
No, no,
Sorry, this door stays locked.
Go to your Fox in her burrow.
What now? He went to Fox's yard.
He came... and found a new beaver there.
I'm so in love! I'm so in love!
I've really lost my peace and sleep.
The moral of this fable is wholesome and quite sound -
Not so much for the red foxes as for the gray beavers.
The End Subs by Lemicnor, Eus, Niffiwan 2026.03