I like both animated versions of this story, though they have quite a different feel. The 1977 one focuses more on the slightly unsettling otherworldly aspect of Silver Hoof, while this one focuses more on music, charm and friendship. Perhaps the 1977 one is a stronger film, on the whole. This one stylistically reminds me a lot of Vladimir Degtyaryov's puppet films.

This one is also a bit closer to the original story in some ways - for example, in that Kokovanya's main house is not directly in the deep forest, but he goes to stay at another, "hunter's hut" to search for Silver Hoof, and initially doesn't want to take the little girl along.