The Wolf And The Seven Kids

Plot

A mother goat leaves her seven kids at home with strict instructions not to let the wolf inside while she goes out to work. The cunning wolf first visits a blacksmith to alter his voice, then disguises himself by painting his skin to deceive the young goats. Despite their initial caution, the wolf manages to trick six of the seven kids and swallows them whole in a single meal. Only the smallest kid escapes by hiding, and when the mother goat returns, he tearfully recounts the tragedy. The brave mother goat tracks down the sleeping wolf, cuts open his belly with scissors, and rescues all six of her children who emerge unharmed. She then replaces them with heavy stones, sews the wolf's belly closed, and when the wolf awakens thirsty and goes to the river, the weight of the stones causes him to fall in and drown.

Historical Background

This film was created in 1938, a pivotal year just before World War II. The Soviet Union under Stalin was undergoing massive industrialization and cultural transformation. Animation was viewed as a powerful tool for education and propaganda, with the state establishing Soyuzmultfilm in 1936 to centralize animated film production. The late 1930s saw the Soviet animation industry moving from experimental works toward more structured, narrative-driven films with clear moral messages. This period also saw increased censorship and ideological control over all artistic productions. The adaptation of a Western fairy tale like 'The Wolf and the Seven Kids' demonstrates how Soviet culture selectively incorporated foreign stories while reinterpreting them to align with Soviet values and educational goals.

Making Of

The production of 'The Wolf and the Seven Kids' took place during a critical period in Soviet animation history. Under Stalin's cultural policies, animators were required to create works that were both artistically meritorious and ideologically sound. Director Sarra Mokil, working with a small team of animators, would have hand-drawn each frame on paper before transferring to cels for painting. The voice recording would have been synchronized with the animation using the limited sound technology available in 1930s Soviet studios. The film's moral lessons about obedience, maternal love, and justice would have been carefully crafted to align with Soviet educational values. Animation was considered an important medium for reaching both children and adults with state-approved messages.

Visual Style

The animation style of 1938 Soviet films was characterized by bold, clear lines and simplified character designs that emphasized expression over realistic detail. The visual composition would have used static backgrounds with limited movement to conserve resources while focusing animation on essential character actions. Color palettes were likely vibrant but limited by the technology of the time. The wolf's transformation scenes would have been highlights of the animation, showcasing the technical skills of the animators in depicting disguise and deception. The film's visual storytelling would have prioritized clarity and emotional impact over technical sophistication, using exaggerated expressions and gestures to ensure the narrative was easily understood by young audiences.

Innovations

While modest by modern standards, the film represented the technical capabilities of Soviet animation in 1938. The animators would have used traditional cel animation techniques, hand-painting each frame on transparent celluloid sheets. The synchronization of sound and animation would have been accomplished through the limited technology available at the time. The film's ability to convey complex emotions and narrative through simple animation techniques demonstrates the technical skill of its creators. The transformation sequences, showing the wolf's disguise, would have required careful planning and execution to be effective within the technical constraints of the period.

Music

The musical score would have been composed to enhance the emotional impact of key scenes while maintaining a simple, memorable melody appropriate for children. Soviet animated films of this era typically used orchestral arrangements with folk elements to create a distinctly Russian cultural flavor. Sound effects would have been created manually in the studio, with voice actors providing all character sounds and narration. The music would have swelled dramatically during tense moments like the wolf's deception and the rescue scene, then softened for emotional beats. The soundtrack would have been recorded mono, as stereo technology was not yet available in Soviet film production.

Memorable Scenes

• The wolf visiting the blacksmith to change his voice
• The wolf painting his skin to disguise himself
• Six kids being swallowed whole by the wolf
• The smallest kid hiding and surviving
• Mother goat bravely cutting open the sleeping wolf's belly
• The six kids emerging safely from the wolf's stomach
• Mother goat sewing stones into the wolf's belly
• The wolf falling into the river and drowning

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception of 1938 Soviet animated films is difficult to document in detail, as film criticism during this period was heavily influenced by state ideology. Reviews in Soviet newspapers and film journals would have focused on the film's educational value and moral messaging rather than artistic innovation. Critics likely praised the film's clear narrative, moral lessons about obedience and maternal protection, and its effectiveness in reaching young audiences. The animation quality would have been evaluated within the technical constraints of the time. Modern animation historians view early Soviet works like this as important artifacts that show how the Soviet animation industry was developing its distinctive style and approach to children's entertainment.

What Audiences Thought

The film would have been shown in theaters across the Soviet Union as part of children's programming blocks. Young audiences of the 1930s would have been familiar with the fairy tale source material, making the adaptation immediately accessible. The clear moral lessons and dramatic resolution would have resonated with Soviet viewers who valued stories with strong ethical messages. Parents and educators would have appreciated the film's educational value in teaching children about obedience, the dangers of strangers, and the protective power of parental love. The film's straightforward storytelling and visual clarity made it suitable for even very young children, contributing to its popularity as an educational tool in schools and children's centers.

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