Ksevery4
This film can be considered a time capsule. It's based on a short novel written by Gogol and I believe that this is a great adaptation. Everything is well though out: the mixture of Ukrainian and Russian, the costumes, the characters, everything. The practical effects are clumsy at times, but that's exactly why they are so memorable and enjoyable. It's a little bit predictable and typical, but it does have a catch: compared to other soviet films, it doesn't have a political influence. The action takes place during the time of Tsars, which is understandable if we remember that Gogol lived in the first half of the 19th century. The fact that this - soviet - film doesn't force a particular political view on you makes it even more enjoyable.There are indeed other films that are not politically driven, but besides this, "The Night Before Christmas" has the... devil. A clumsy devil. He's actually not that evil, but rather helpful and charismatic. As a whole, the film, in my opinion, is good. Not perfect, but good. You should definitely give it a try if soviet films are your cup of tea or if you don't have time to read the original short story.
sinful-2
I have seen a few Russian fairy tales and adventure movies from the same time which I enjoyed watching. This one about a blacksmith/painter and the devil and their struggle with each other I did find quite lackluster though.The movie has nice color pictures for this sort of story. But the story feels like it moves in slow motion. The movie is only just over an hour long but I was bored before it ended. Things like special effects were handled by showing the movie backwards all the time. 10th time you see the movie going backwards it is not cute anymore.You can find much better Russian movies and fairy tales from the same time period. I would suggest watching Mariya-iskusnitsa (1960) instead that I found more entertaining.
sevencrystalballs
The film 'Night before Christmas' is based on a short story from Nikolai Gogol's work 'Evenings on a farm near Dikanka'. The story opens with a stunning winter scenery of Dikanka, Ukraine with a witch flying across the night sky and the devil roaming around and tormenting people. Meanwhile, the simple village blacksmith, Vakula is pining away for a dazzlingly beautiful village lass, Oksana. With a caprice that matches her beauty, she teases the blacksmith to bring her the Tsaritsa's slippers. In his love for Oksana, the blacksmith really sets out to St. Petersburg to ask Queen Catherine the Great for her slippers. 'Night before Christmas' is a love story that is charming in its simplicity.
David Austin
In the best tradition of Soviet fantasy, Dikanka is entertaining from start to finish. There isn't much a plot (hijinks during the night), but the practical effects are charming, and I laughed harder than I had in a long time.The best element is the Devil himself. Rather than a figure of fear and evil, the Devil is a hairy, silly fellow who keeps busy by tormenting a blacksmith who drew a religious picture that the Devil found particularly offensive. In addition, there are a horde of lusty and/or drunken townsmen, and a cameo by the Tsarina herself. Also, a "Three's Company"-esquire set piece where character after character must hide out in the local witch's hut.
AD
