Who Is The First?

Plot

In this charming Soviet animated short, a thrilling bicycle race unfolds through the forest featuring the athletic Toptygin brothers, a speedy Bunny, and a cunning Fox. The competition is intense as each animal vies for first place, showcasing their determination and sportsmanship. After a grueling struggle, the Bunny finally breaks away from the pack and establishes a commanding lead, seemingly destined for victory. However, overcome with premature confidence, the Bunny makes a fatal error by stopping to rest beneath a shady tree, then impulsively decides to bathe while still wearing his cycling attire. Lost in his moment of relaxation, the Bunny completely loses track of time and ultimately fails to finish the race, watching in shame as his competitors pass him by and claim the championship he had so nearly won.

Historical Background

This film was created during a pivotal period in Soviet history, as the nation rebuilt itself following the devastation of World War II. The early 1950s marked the height of Stalin's rule, characterized by intense ideological control over all forms of artistic expression. Soviet animation during this era was expected to serve both educational and propaganda purposes, instilling socialist values while entertaining young audiences. The emphasis on sports and competition in 'Who Is The First?' reflected the Soviet state's promotion of physical fitness and athletic achievement as cornerstones of the new Soviet citizen. The film's production at Soyuzmultfilm coincided with the studio's golden age, when Soviet animators were developing their distinctive visual style, separate from Western animation influences. The bicycle theme was particularly relevant, as cycling was both a popular sport and a practical means of transportation in post-war Soviet society. The moral lesson about avoiding arrogance and premature celebration resonated with Soviet cultural values that emphasized collective achievement over individual glory.

Making Of

The production of 'Who Is The First?' took place during a challenging period for Soviet animation, as the industry was recovering from World War II while operating under strict government oversight. Boris Dyozhkin and his team at Soyuzmultfilm worked with limited materials and equipment, yet managed to create remarkably fluid animation sequences, particularly during the race scenes. The animators studied real bicycle racing techniques and animal movements to achieve realistic motion in their characters. The character designs were carefully crafted to be both appealing and clearly distinguishable, with each animal having unique personality traits reflected in their animation style. The film's color palette, while limited by the technology of the time, was thoughtfully chosen to create vibrant forest scenes that would appeal to children while maintaining artistic quality. The production team faced the additional challenge of ensuring the film's message aligned with Soviet educational values, requiring multiple revisions to achieve the perfect balance between entertainment and moral instruction.

Visual Style

The film's visual style exemplifies the distinctive Soviet animation aesthetic of the early 1950s, characterized by rich, saturated colors and bold, graphic compositions. The cinematography employs dynamic camera movements during the race sequences, using techniques such as tracking shots and zoom effects to create a sense of speed and excitement. The animators skillfully used perspective to enhance the feeling of movement, with the camera often positioned at low angles to emphasize the bicycles' velocity. The forest settings are rendered with artistic flair, using layered backgrounds to create depth and atmosphere. Color schemes shift throughout the film to reflect the changing emotional tone, from the bright, energetic colors of the race to the softer, more melancholic hues of the Bunny's moment of failure. The character animation is particularly noteworthy for its fluidity and expressiveness, with each animal's personality conveyed through distinctive movement patterns and facial expressions. The film's visual storytelling relies on strong silhouettes and clear poses, ensuring that the narrative remains understandable even without dialogue.

Innovations

The film represents a significant technical achievement in Soviet animation, particularly in its innovative approach to animating complex motion sequences. The animators developed new techniques for depicting bicycle movement, creating convincing rotations and momentum that were technically challenging for the era's cel animation methods. The film's multi-layered backgrounds demonstrated advances in depth perception and camera movement within animated space. The character animation showcases sophisticated understanding of physics and motion, with realistic weight shifts and balance during the racing sequences. The production team pioneered methods for animating water effects during the Bunny's bathing scene, creating fluid, natural-looking water movement using traditional animation tools. The film's color printing process achieved remarkable consistency and vibrancy, overcoming the technical limitations of post-war Soviet film stock. The synchronization between animation and musical cues was particularly precise, requiring innovative timing methods to ensure perfect alignment between visual and audio elements. These technical innovations influenced subsequent Soviet animated films and contributed to the development of the distinctive Soviet animation style.

Music

The musical score was composed by a Soviet composer (specific name not documented) and reflects the optimistic, energetic style typical of Soviet animation music of the period. The soundtrack features lively orchestral arrangements that enhance the excitement of the bicycle race, with fast-paced tempos and rhythmic motifs that synchronize perfectly with the on-screen action. The music shifts in mood to match the narrative, from triumphant brass fanfares during moments of victory to softer, more melancholic melodies during the Bunny's downfall. The film uses minimal dialogue, relying instead on musical cues and sound effects to convey emotion and advance the story. The sound design includes carefully crafted bicycle noises, forest ambient sounds, and character vocalizations that add personality to the animal protagonists. The score incorporates elements of Russian folk music, particularly in the character themes, grounding the film in Soviet cultural traditions while maintaining universal appeal. The overall musical approach emphasizes clarity and accessibility, ensuring that young viewers could easily follow the emotional journey of the characters.

Memorable Scenes

• The thrilling bicycle race sequence through the forest, featuring dynamic camera movements and fluid animation of all animal competitors
• The Bunny's moment of overconfidence when he stops to rest, beautifully animated to show his arrogance and relaxation
• The dramatic bathing scene where the Bunny foolishly wastes time, combining humor with moral lesson
• The heartbreaking moment when the Bunny realizes he's lost the race, conveyed through expressive animation and emotional music
• The final scene showing the true winner crossing the finish line, emphasizing the value of perseverance

What Critics Said

Contemporary Soviet critics praised 'Who Is The First?' for its perfect balance of entertainment and educational value, with particular acclaim for Boris Dyozhkin's dynamic animation direction and the film's clear moral message. Critics from Soviet film journals highlighted the technical excellence of the bicycle race sequences, noting the smooth animation and realistic movement of the characters. The film was celebrated for its ability to engage children while teaching valuable lessons about sportsmanship and the dangers of overconfidence. Western animation historians have since recognized the film as a significant example of Soviet animation's golden age, praising its artistic merit and cultural importance. Modern critics appreciate the film's timeless appeal and the sophistication of its animation techniques, which remain impressive decades after its creation. The film is often cited in academic studies of Soviet animation as an exemplar of how artistic expression could flourish within ideological constraints, creating works that were both politically acceptable and artistically significant.

What Audiences Thought

The film was enormously popular with Soviet children and became a beloved classic that was regularly shown on television and in schools throughout the Soviet era. Young viewers particularly identified with the relatable story of competition and the appealing animal characters, while parents appreciated the clear moral lesson about humility and perseverance. The film's simple yet engaging narrative made it accessible to even the youngest children, while its sophisticated animation appealed to older viewers. Audience letters to Soviet newspapers frequently mentioned the film as a favorite, with many children writing about how they learned important lessons from the Bunny's mistakes. The film's popularity extended beyond the USSR, with positive reception reported in other Eastern Bloc countries where it was distributed. Even decades after its release, Soviet audiences retained fond memories of the film, with many adults recalling it as a formative part of their childhood cultural education. The enduring appeal of 'Who Is The First?' demonstrated how well-crafted animation with universal themes could transcend cultural and temporal boundaries.

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