The Hunchedback Horse (Конек-Горбунок)

Kinostudio "Soyuzmultifilm" Moscow, 1947.

The Little Humpbacked Horse

written by Nikolai Rozhkov, Yevgeny Pomeshchikov Tekst handling A Surkova.

Director I. Ivanov-Vano

directed by Alexandra Snezhko-Blotskaya, consulting

director Victor Gromov cameraman Nikolai Vohinov

art director Lev Milchin artists G. Nevzorova, Alexander

Beliakov, I. Troyanova, O. Ghemmerling, V. Rodgero

music V. Oransky Conductor G Gamburg sound N. Bazhanov

animators I. Stariuk, K. Malyshev, Boris Dezhkin, B. Petin, Michael Botov,

B. Titov, Lidia Reztsova, Valentin Lalayants, D. Belov, Faina Yepifanova,

A. Manafov, Roman Davydov, Petr Repkin, Grigory Kozlov,

Nadezhda Privalova, Nikolai Fedorov, Tatiana Fedorova

executive producer Boris Wolf, cam.ass. E Pizo E petrova, N Sokolova,

Cutter N Aravina, V Svesjnikova, N Orlova, K Apostina, G Lyubarskaya.

Past the woods and mountains steep,

Past the rolling waters deep,

Where the skies black earth behold,

Lived a peasant weak and old.

Of his sons, and he had three.

Eldest sharp was as could be.

Second was nor dull nor bright,

But the third, a fool all right.

But, upon an evil day,

Dire misfortune came their way,

Someone, when the day was through.

Took to trampling wheat they grew.

Day and night they sat and thought How the villain could be caught.

Till at last they understood.

Nightly guard would do them good.

You, Ivan just go around. Watch the field and space abound.

We'll lay low and watch this spot, Soon the loathsome thief be caught!

Stars, stars...

one, two, three...

All night long, I count thee.

Four, five, six and... there's seven!

Fingers ten can't count all heaven!

If you will set me free,

Two brave stallions I would give thee.

And such handsome steeds I'd bear As have ne'er been seen, I swear.

If you wish, why, sell the two,

But part not with the little steed!

Faithful friend to you he'll be,

Where you go, on land or sea.

So, farewell! I will roam free...

But not in our field!

Log house, stoveÖ all swing around, ainít no place for the master to lay down.

Where in this hangover dread, Shall I hide my rowdy head?

Donít you worry ëbout the boot,

Hey, stomp with your foot.

Drunks ìknee-deepî all seas shall measure, But their heads they do not treasure.

Heavens! Look what lovely pair, our young fool has hidden there!

Oh, the field, the field of mine.

Roaming free just feels so fine!

Roaming free just feels... Hugh?!

Oh, my horses black as night,

With your golden manes so bright!

Did not I look after you? What foul devil stole you? Who?

Donít blame devils for their deeds, your two brothers stole those steeds!

Yes, your loss is great, I know.

But I'll help you in your woe.

Mount my back-when I say: 'Go', Hold to me for all you know!

What a wonder, like a flame!

Look, there's light in plenty here,

But no smoke or heat, I swear!

And you very well may stare! That's a Fire-Bird's feather there!

But, for your own sake, Touch it not, for in its wake.

Many sorrows, many woes, Follow everywhere it goes.

That is not a truth,

I am not such a fool!

Many sorrows, many woes.

Follow everywhere it goes.

Honest masters, come this way!

See what wares we have today!

Foxes, ferretsÖ different furs!

Saddles and some horsewhips sound!

Tawed reins!

Honey cakes!

Spiced brine apples!

Savor all my gingerbreads!

Tsarís approaching!

Redhead chamberlain ëside him, Heís horse keepersí chief supreme.

What a sight theyíre to behold.

Just to me, you will be sold!

Who's the owner?

My good people, who...

Owns these handsome chargers two?

Tsar, these steeds belong to me,

I'm their owner, too, you see.

Well, I wish to buy the team. Would you sell them to me?

No, I'm swapping them.

What will you be taking, then?

Two times five fistfuls of silver.

Two times five...? Ten.

Ten!

Oh, um...

Well...

Shake hands!

Hey, you! Bring the treasury!

Whatcha looking at, old snake?

Take the steeds, for goodness sake!

Oh, brothers, what a show!

I could die just laughing so!

Now, my grooms can't hold those two,

So, there's nothing else to do.

You come and serve to me,

I'll pay with gold to thee!

Make you Master of my Horse,

Like a lord, you'll live, of course.

What a wonder!

Let it be!

I shall serve Your Majesty!

Have I fallen from your grace?

And my job which I embrace?

My displeasure, do observe!

Under Ivan you shall serve!

Take them, Ivan, faithful slave.

To my stable, steeds so brave!

Just you wait, you dirty lout,

Time will come, I'll turn you out.

Tsarís Stables.

Servant life is sloth and folly.

Chasing pigeons - he is jolly.

Steeds well-fed and clean appear.

Could some ghost be working here?

Can it be, a goblin sprite.

Comes and braids their manes at night?

Spy on him - that's what I shall do.

And wonít stop until Iím through!

Iíll your silky bangs unbraid.

With a fine-toothed comb inlaid.

Brush your manes and braid 'em back.

And admire your beauty black.

Oh you, skipping horses mine.

You are graceful, you are fine!

But the heart perceives most dear.

My humpback thatís always near.

This shall be your bitter end,

To the gallows youíll be sent.

All the Court knows it is true,

What Ivan conceals from you.

Tisn't silver, tisn't gold,

Fire-Bird's feather, SireÖBehold!

And he boasts, as I've heard,

That, did you but say the word,

He could bring the Bird of Fire, To your Royal Chamber, Sire.

Hey, fetch for me that foolish lad!

Wonít escape my fist-too bad!

By what law and what decree.

Have you from Our Majesty.

Hidden what is ours by right?

Yes, the Fire-Bird's feather bright?

Pardon me this once, please do.

And I'll lie no more to you.

You'll be pardoned for the nonce,

Seeing you have sinned but once.

You have boasted, as I've heard,

That, did I but say the word,

You could bring the Bird of Fire To the Chamber of your Sire.

May the lightning strike my head if such thing I ever said!

If you do not bring the Bird of Fire,

To my Royal Chamber, now,

By my Royal Beard I vow, I will find you anywhere!