The Night Before Christmas

Plot

In a Ukrainian village on Christmas Eve, the handsome blacksmith Vakula is desperately in love with the beautiful but capricious Oksana. When Oksana mockingly demands that Vakula bring her the Empress's slippers as a condition for accepting his marriage proposal, the determined blacksmith makes a pact with the devil himself. Vakula manages to outwit the devil and forces him to fly him to Saint Petersburg, where he navigates the imperial court and successfully obtains the coveted slippers from Empress Catherine the Great. Upon his triumphant return to the village, Vakula presents the slippers to a humbled Oksana, who finally accepts his love, while the devil, having learned his lesson, returns to hell.

Historical Background

Produced during the final years of Stalin's rule, 'The Night Before Christmas' emerged in a period when Soviet animation was transitioning from propaganda to more artistic and culturally significant works. The film's release in 1951 coincided with the Soviet Union's post-war reconstruction era, when there was a renewed emphasis on celebrating Russian and Ukrainian cultural heritage. The choice to adapt Gogol, a celebrated 19th-century Russian author of Ukrainian origin, reflected the Soviet policy of promoting a shared cultural legacy while acknowledging the distinct traditions of different Soviet republics. The film's folk themes and celebration of traditional values aligned with the post-war Soviet emphasis on cultural continuity and national pride.

Making Of

The production team at Soyuzmultfilm faced the challenge of adapting Gogol's rich, satirical prose into visual animation while maintaining the story's folkloric charm and social commentary. Valentina Brumberg and her co-directors spent months studying Ukrainian folk traditions and consulting with cultural experts to ensure authenticity. The voice actors were recorded separately, with Vladimir Gribkov delivering his lines with theatrical precision that reflected his stage background. The animation process involved a team of over 100 artists working in shifts to complete the film on schedule. The devil's flight sequences were particularly challenging, requiring innovative techniques to create smooth, dynamic movement that would captivate audiences while staying within the technical limitations of the era.

Visual Style

The film's visual style combines traditional Russian animation techniques with influences from Ukrainian folk art, particularly in its use of vibrant colors and ornate patterns. The animation features detailed background paintings that evoke 18th-century Ukrainian village life, with careful attention to architectural details and period costumes. The character animation emphasizes expressive movement and gesture, particularly in the devil's scenes where fluid, dynamic movement creates a sense of magical realism. The Saint Petersburg sequences use a more refined color palette and architectural precision to contrast with the folk setting of the village.

Innovations

The film pioneered several technical innovations in Soviet animation, including advanced multi-layer cel techniques for creating depth in complex scenes. The animation team developed new methods for depicting magical effects, particularly the devil's transformation and flight sequences. The film's color printing process was particularly sophisticated for its time, allowing for rich, saturated colors that brought the Ukrainian folk art-inspired designs to life. The production also experimented with early forms of motion blur to enhance the sense of movement in fast-paced scenes.

Music

The musical score was composed by Anatoly Lepin, who incorporated traditional Ukrainian folk melodies and Christmas carols into his orchestral arrangements. The soundtrack features choral arrangements of Ukrainian folk songs performed by the State Academic Russian Folk Choir. The music enhances the film's magical atmosphere, particularly during the devil's flight sequence and the Saint Petersburg court scenes. The sound design was innovative for its time, using echo effects and layered audio to create the impression of supernatural events and vast spaces.

Memorable Scenes

• The devil's dramatic flight to Saint Petersburg with Vakula on his back, featuring swirling clouds and magical light effects against the night sky
• Vakula's audience with Empress Catherine the Great, where the humble blacksmith charms the imperial court with his sincerity
• The Christmas Eve village celebration, with its rich depiction of Ukrainian folk traditions and festivities

What Critics Said

Contemporary Soviet critics praised the film for its faithful adaptation of Gogol's work and its beautiful animation style. The film was particularly commended for its visual artistry and its ability to capture the spirit of Ukrainian folklore. Western critics who later discovered the film through film festivals noted its distinctive visual style and sophisticated storytelling. Modern film historians recognize it as an important example of mid-century Soviet animation that successfully balanced artistic merit with popular appeal.

What Audiences Thought

The film was enormously popular with Soviet audiences upon its release, becoming a holiday tradition for many families. Children were particularly enchanted by the magical elements and the devil character, while adults appreciated the literary sophistication and cultural references. The film's popularity endured for decades, with regular television broadcasts during the Christmas season making it a cultural touchstone for generations of Soviet and post-Soviet viewers. Even today, it remains one of the most beloved Soviet animated films in Russia and Ukraine.

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