Barmaley

Plot

Based on Korney Chukovsky's beloved children's poem, 'Barmaley' follows the adventures of two brave children, little Tanechka and little Vanechka, who travel to Africa to confront the notorious robber Barmaley. When Barmaley terrorizes the local African children and animals, stealing their sweets and causing chaos, the Russian siblings decide they must put an end to his evil deeds. With the help of the kind-hearted Doctor Aibolit, who has come to Africa to treat sick animals, the children devise a clever plan to outsmart the villain. Through their courage, wit, and the power of friendship, they manage to capture Barmaley and teach him a lesson about kindness and sharing. The film concludes with Barmaley's transformation from a malicious robber to a reformed character who learns the value of helping others rather than harming them.

Historical Background

The year 1941 was a pivotal moment in Soviet history, marked by tremendous uncertainty and impending conflict. When 'Barmaley' was released, the Soviet Union was still under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with Nazi Germany, but tensions were rising. Just weeks after the film's debut, Germany would break the pact and invade the Soviet Union, beginning the Great Patriotic War. In this context, children's films like 'Barmaley' took on special significance, offering young audiences messages of courage, resilience, and the triumph of good over evil. The film's themes of brave children standing up to a villain resonated powerfully during a time when the entire nation would soon need to demonstrate similar courage. The animation industry itself faced challenges during this period, with many animators being called to military service and resources being redirected to the war effort. Despite these difficulties, Soviet animation continued to produce works that maintained morale and provided entertainment for children during one of the darkest periods in Russian history.

Making Of

The production of 'Barmaley' took place at Soyuzmultfilm, the premier Soviet animation studio founded in 1936. Leonid Amalrik, who had previously worked on several successful animated shorts, brought together a team of talented animators to adapt Chukovsky's beloved poem. The animation process was entirely hand-drawn, with each frame carefully crafted on paper before being transferred to celluloid sheets for coloring. The voice actors were prominent figures in Soviet theater and radio, bringing distinctive personalities to each character. The musical score was composed to enhance the adventurous tone while incorporating elements that would appeal to children. Despite the challenging political climate and looming threat of war, the production team maintained a focus on creating an entertaining and educational film that would delight young audiences while promoting positive values of courage, friendship, and standing up to bullies.

Visual Style

The visual style of 'Barmaley' employs vibrant hand-drawn animation characteristic of early Soviet feature films. The cinematography uses bright, saturated colors to create the exotic African setting, with lush greens for the jungle and warm yellows and oranges for the landscape. Character designs are exaggerated and expressive, with large eyes and distinctive silhouettes that make each character instantly recognizable. The animation employs smooth movements and dynamic action sequences, particularly during the confrontation between the children and Barmaley. The film uses a variety of camera angles and movements to create visual interest, including close-ups for emotional moments and wider shots to establish the African environment. The background art features detailed illustrations of African flora and fauna, creating a rich, immersive world for the story to unfold within.

Innovations

For its time, 'Barmaley' demonstrated several technical achievements in Soviet animation. The film showcases advanced cel animation techniques with smooth character movements and detailed backgrounds. The color palette was particularly sophisticated for 1941, using multiple layers of color to create depth and visual interest. The animation team developed innovative methods for creating fluid action sequences, particularly in scenes involving multiple characters moving simultaneously. The film's ability to maintain consistent character designs across complex movements represented a significant technical accomplishment for the era. The synchronization between animation and voice work was also notably precise, creating natural dialogue delivery that enhanced the storytelling. These technical achievements helped establish new standards for quality in Soviet feature animation and influenced subsequent productions at Soyuzmultfilm.

Music

The musical score for 'Barmaley' was composed to enhance the film's adventurous and playful tone while supporting the emotional journey of the characters. The soundtrack features original melodies that capture the spirit of Chukovsky's poem, with rhythmic patterns that appeal to young audiences. The music incorporates elements that suggest the African setting through percussion instruments and melodic patterns, while maintaining a distinctly Soviet animation style. The film includes several musical numbers that advance the plot and develop character personalities. The sound design also features carefully crafted sound effects that bring the animated world to life, from the rustling of jungle leaves to the exaggerated footsteps of the characters. Voice work was recorded with clear, expressive performances that ensure the dialogue remains engaging for children while conveying the emotional weight of key scenes.

Memorable Scenes

• The dramatic confrontation between the brave children and Barmaley in the African jungle, where Tanechka and Vanechka stand up to the robber despite their small size
• Doctor Aibolit's arrival in Africa with his medical bag, surrounded by grateful animals he has helped heal
• The transformation scene where Barmaley realizes the error of his ways and decides to become good
• The children's journey to Africa, shown through colorful animated sequences depicting their adventurous spirit
• The final celebration scene where all characters, including the reformed Barmaley, come together in friendship

What Critics Said

Contemporary Soviet critics praised 'Barmaley' for its faithful adaptation of Chukovsky's beloved poem and its high-quality animation. The film was recognized for successfully capturing the whimsical spirit of the original text while adding visual elements that enhanced the storytelling. Critics particularly noted the expressive character animation and the effective use of color to create the exotic African setting. The voice performances were also highlighted as bringing authenticity and charm to the characters. In later years, film historians have recognized 'Barmaley' as an important example of early Soviet feature animation that successfully balanced entertainment with educational content. The film is often cited in studies of Soviet animation as representing the industry's ability to produce high-quality children's content even during challenging historical periods.

What Audiences Thought

The film was enthusiastically received by Soviet children and their parents upon its release in 1941. Young audiences were captivated by the adventurous story and the colorful animation, while parents appreciated the positive moral messages about courage and helping others. The characters, particularly the brave children Tanechka and Vanechka, became relatable heroes for young viewers. Doctor Aibolit's kindness and dedication to helping others resonated with audiences and reinforced positive values. Even during the difficult war years that followed, the film remained popular as a source of entertainment and moral instruction for children. In the decades following its release, 'Barmaley' became a staple of Soviet children's television programming, ensuring that multiple generations grew up with this classic adaptation. The film continues to be remembered fondly by those who watched it during their childhood in the Soviet Union.

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