1
00:00:00,420 --> 00:00:05,370
Soyuzmultfilm production
Moscow,1951

2
00:00:06,180 --> 00:00:12,650
Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin
The tale of the dead princess and the seven knights

3
00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:54,290
With his suite the Tsar departed.
The Tsaritsa tender-hearted

4
00:00:54,880 --> 00:01:00,660
At the window sat alone,
Wishing he would hurry home.

5
00:01:01,690 --> 00:01:07,850
All day every day she waited,
Gazing till her dedicated

6
00:01:08,270 --> 00:01:14,750
Eyes grew weak from overstrain,
Gazing at the empty plain.

7
00:01:15,700 --> 00:01:22,400
Then from God on Christmas Eve
She a daughter did receive.

8
00:01:22,850 --> 00:01:27,960
Home again from travel far
Came at last the father-Tsar.

9
00:01:28,380 --> 00:01:33,940
One fond glance at him she darted,
Gasped for joy with thin lips parted,

10
00:01:34,420 --> 00:01:41,170
Then fell back upon her bed
And by prayer-time was dead.

11
00:01:41,470 --> 00:01:46,970
Long the Tsar sat lonely, brooding.
But he, too, was only human.

12
00:01:47,330 --> 00:01:51,970
Tears for one sad year he shed...
And another woman wed.

13
00:01:52,380 --> 00:01:56,360
She (if one be strictly truthful)
Was a born Tsaritsa youthful

14
00:01:56,660 --> 00:02:01,250
Slim, tall, fair to look upon,
Clever, witty and so on

15
00:02:01,590 --> 00:02:06,650
But she was in equal measure
Stubborn, haughty, wilful, jealous.

16
00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:10,490
In her dowry rich and vast
Was a little looking-glass.

17
00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:14,880
It had this unique distinction:
It could speak with perfect diction.

18
00:02:15,110 --> 00:02:18,830
Only with this glass would she
In a pleasant humour be.

19
00:02:19,670 --> 00:02:22,970
Many times a day she'd greet it
And coquettishly entreat it:

20
00:02:23,420 --> 00:02:28,810
"Tell me, pretty looking-glass,
Nothing but the truth, I ask:

21
00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:34,960
Who in all the world is fairest
And has beauty of the rarest?"

22
00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:43,590
"You, it cannot be denied.

23
00:02:44,210 --> 00:02:55,240
You in all the world are fairest
And your beauty is the rarest."

24
00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:05,930
All this time the Tsar's own daughter
Quietly, as Nature taught her,

25
00:03:06,450 --> 00:03:13,160
Grew and grew, and came quite soon
Like a flower into bloom:

26
00:03:13,430 --> 00:03:18,620
Raven-browed, of fair complexion,
Breathing kindness and affection.

27
00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:25,840
And the choice of fiance
Lighted on Prince Yelisei.

28
00:03:27,790 --> 00:03:34,820
"Who in all the world is fairest
And has beauty of the rarest?"

29
00:03:37,240 --> 00:03:40,160
"You are fair, I can't deny.

30
00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:48,210
But the Princess is the fairest
And her beauty is the rarest."

31
00:03:54,290 --> 00:04:00,730
"O you loathsome looking-glass,
Telling lies as bold as brass!

32
00:04:01,310 --> 00:04:07,520
Now look here, explain to me
How can she the fairer be?

33
00:04:08,130 --> 00:04:13,980
Scour this realm of ours and seek well,
Nowhere shall you find my equal.

34
00:04:14,910 --> 00:04:22,530
"But the Princess is the fairest
And her beauty is the rarest."

35
00:04:43,690 --> 00:04:51,660
"Take the Princess to the forest,
Bind her hand and foot and forehead

36
00:04:52,220 --> 00:04:59,800
To a tree! When wolves arrive
Let them eat the girl alive!"

37
00:06:53,840 --> 00:06:59,410
"Well?" demanded the Tsaritsa,
"Where's that pretty little creature?"

38
00:07:00,840 --> 00:07:05,640
"In the forest on her own,"
Smudge replied. "And there she'll stay.

39
00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:10,330
To a tree I firmly lashed her.
When a hungry beast attacks her

40
00:07:10,580 --> 00:07:15,730
She'll have little time to cry
And the quicker she shall die!"

41
00:09:45,700 --> 00:09:50,940
Rumour spread and caused a panic:
"What, the Tsar's own daughter vanished!"

42
00:09:51,610 --> 00:09:56,690
Mournful was the Tsar that day.
But the young Prince Yelisei

43
00:09:56,910 --> 00:10:01,500
Offered God a fervent prayer
And departed then and there

44
00:10:01,500 --> 00:10:06,640
To seek out and homeward guide
His sweet-tempered, youthful bride.

45
00:11:29,390 --> 00:11:36,550
"How amazing!
All so neat! The fire blazing!

46
00:11:36,550 --> 00:11:40,420
Somebody's been cleaning here
And is waiting somewhere near.

47
00:11:40,830 --> 00:11:45,200
Who is there? Come out of hiding!
Be a friend in peace abiding!

48
00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:49,490
If you're someone old and hoar,
Be our uncle evermore!

49
00:11:49,780 --> 00:11:54,460
If you're young and love a scuffle.
We'll embrace you as a brother.

50
00:11:54,770 --> 00:11:59,560
If a venerable dame,
Then shall 'mother' be your name.

51
00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:05,360
If a maiden fair, we'll call you
Our dear sister and adore you."

52
00:12:41,170 --> 00:12:47,590
Days flew by�the Princess living
All the time without misgiving

53
00:12:48,950 --> 00:12:53,490
In the forest, never bored
With the Seven Knights abroad.

54
00:12:56,250 --> 00:13:01,550
Darkness would the earth still cover
When at dawn the seven brothers

55
00:13:02,980 --> 00:13:07,350
Would ride out to try their luck
With a long-bow, shooting duck.

56
00:14:48,260 --> 00:14:53,680
And in time they grew to love her.
Thereupon all seven brothers

57
00:14:54,630 --> 00:15:00,220
Shortly after dawn one day
To her chamber made their way

58
00:15:00,830 --> 00:15:08,590
And the Eldest Knight addressed her:
"As you know, you are our sister.

59
00:15:09,260 --> 00:15:14,800
But all seven of us here
Are in love with you, my dear,

60
00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:19,500
And we all desire your favours.
But that must not be. God save us!

61
00:15:20,990 --> 00:15:25,230
Find some way to give us peace!
Be a wife to one at least,

62
00:15:25,760 --> 00:15:28,930
To the rest remain a sister!

63
00:15:32,220 --> 00:15:40,330
Is this to say your offer you refuse?
Nothing from our stock you'll choose?"

64
00:15:40,870 --> 00:15:46,160
"O my brave and bonny brothers,
Virtuous beyond all others!"

65
00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:52,460
"God in heaven strike me dead
If my answer be not honest:

66
00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:57,400
I've no choice my hand is promised!

67
00:15:57,850 --> 00:16:02,960
You're all equal in my eyes,
All so valiant and wise,

68
00:16:03,350 --> 00:16:10,310
And I love you all, dear brothers!
But my heart is to another

69
00:16:10,790 --> 00:16:18,600
Pledged for evermore.
One day I shall wed Prince Yelisei!"

70
00:16:19,940 --> 00:16:27,150
"Pray forgive us and I promise
You'll hear nothing further from us!"

71
00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:30,150
"I'm not angry," she replied.

72
00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:43,220
"Greetings, pretty looking-glass!
Tell me all the truth, I ask:

73
00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:49,930
Who in all the world is fairest
And has beauty of the rarest?"

74
00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:55,400
"You are fair, I can't deny.

75
00:16:55,940 --> 00:17:02,180
But where Seven Knights go riding
In a green oak-grove residing

76
00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:09,740
Humbly lives a person who
Is more beautiful than you."

77
00:18:32,900 --> 00:18:37,770
How perplexing!
"Had a bad night's sleep, I reckon!"

78
00:18:38,910 --> 00:18:42,410
"I most humbly thank you, daughter,

79
00:18:42,990 --> 00:18:47,940
God be merciful!" said she.
"In return take this from me!"

80
00:18:50,700 --> 00:18:53,330
"Enjoy the apple

81
00:18:54,470 --> 00:18:58,600
At you leisure, little pet!
Thank you for the loaf of bread..."

82
00:21:47,810 --> 00:21:53,820
With pure love did we regard you,
For your loved one did we guard you,

83
00:21:53,820 --> 00:21:58,720
But you came not to the groom,
Only to a chill dark tomb."

84
00:22:04,530 --> 00:22:09,960
"Who is now by far the fairest
And has beauty of the rarest?"

85
00:22:14,870 --> 00:22:17,900
"You, it cannot be denied.

86
00:22:18,320 --> 00:22:25,600
You in all the world are fairest
And your beauty is the rarest!"

87
00:22:32,540 --> 00:22:36,810
In pursuit of his sweet bride
Through the country far and wide

88
00:22:37,100 --> 00:22:39,790
Still Prince Yelisei goes riding...

89
00:22:42,890 --> 00:22:49,840
"Sun, dear Sun! The whole year coursing
Through the sky, in springtime thawing

90
00:22:50,480 --> 00:22:55,430
From the chill earth winter snow!
You observe us all below.

91
00:22:55,840 --> 00:22:58,170
Surely you'll not grudge an answer?

92
00:22:58,590 --> 00:23:02,540
Tell me, did you ever chance to
See the Princess I revere?

93
00:23:03,110 --> 00:23:04,840
I'm her fiance."

94
00:23:08,560 --> 00:23:13,190
"My dear,"
"I have nowhere seen your Princess,

95
00:23:13,540 --> 00:23:19,370
So she's dead, we must presume,
That is, if my friend, the Moon,

96
00:23:19,710 --> 00:23:25,780
Has not met her on his travels
Or seen clues you may unravel."

97
00:23:40,690 --> 00:23:45,330
"Moon, O Moon, my friend!" he said,
"Gold of horn and round of head,

98
00:23:45,740 --> 00:23:50,670
From the darkest shadows rising,
With your eye the world apprising,

99
00:23:51,920 --> 00:23:55,270
You whom stars with love regard
As you mount your nightly guard!

100
00:23:55,650 --> 00:23:58,100
Surely you'll not grudge an answer?

101
00:23:58,380 --> 00:24:02,580
Tell me, did you ever chance to
See the Princess I revere?

102
00:24:02,580 --> 00:24:04,990
I'm her fiance."

103
00:24:06,770 --> 00:24:10,320
"O dear!"
"No, I have not seen the maiden.

104
00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:16,670
On my round I only go
When it is my turn, you know.

105
00:24:17,260 --> 00:24:20,990
It would seem that I was resting
When she passed."

106
00:24:22,180 --> 00:24:23,960
"How very vexing!"

107
00:24:24,270 --> 00:24:29,490
"Wait a minute! I suggest you
Have the Wind come to the rescue.

108
00:24:29,850 --> 00:24:37,900
Call him now! It's worth a try.
And cheer up a bit! Goodbye!"

109
00:24:41,650 --> 00:24:46,530
"Wind, O Wind! Lord of the sky,
Herding flocks of clouds on high,

110
00:24:46,740 --> 00:24:50,710
Stirring up the dark-blue ocean,
Setting all the air in motion,

111
00:24:51,430 --> 00:24:54,330
Surely you'll not grudge an answer?

112
00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:58,240
Tell me, did you ever chance to
See the Princess I revere?

113
00:24:58,550 --> 00:25:00,960
I'm her fiance."

114
00:25:03,500 --> 00:25:10,100
"O hear!"
"Where a quiet stream is flowing

115
00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:17,830
Stands a mountain high and steep
In it lies a cavern deep;

116
00:25:18,810 --> 00:25:26,430
In this cave in shadows dismal
Sways a coffin, made of crystal.

117
00:25:26,820 --> 00:25:31,140
Hung by chains from pillars six.
Round it barren land in which

118
00:25:31,370 --> 00:25:41,460
No man ever meets another.
In that tomb your bride discover!"

119
00:28:00,850 --> 00:28:08,170
"Who in all the world is fairest
And has beauty of the rarest?"

120
00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:13,110
"You are fair, I can't deny,

121
00:28:13,510 --> 00:28:20,440
But the Princess is the fairest
And her beauty is the rarest!"

122
00:28:43,830 --> 00:28:48,850
Overcome by grief and spite,
The Tsaritsa died that night.

123
00:28:49,770 --> 00:28:56,620
From the grave where she was buried
To a wedding people hurried,

124
00:28:56,620 --> 00:29:01,940
For the good Prince Yelisei
Wed his Princess that same day.

125
00:29:32,560 --> 00:29:39,220
Never since the World's creation
Was there such a celebration.

126
00:29:52,580 --> 00:29:53,420
THE END