Watch Vasilisa The Beautiful

Vasilisa The Beautiful is a 1940 historical fantasy film produced by Mosfilm and directed by Aleksandr Rou. The movie was based on Russian folklore and is a classic example of Soviet-era cinema. The story is set in the 16th century and revolves around the beautiful Vasilisa, who lives with her stepmother and stepsisters in a small village. Vasilisa's mother had passed away when she was a child, and her father had remarried, only to die soon after.

Vasilisa is a kind-hearted and fair young woman, but her stepmother and stepsisters are jealous of her beauty and constantly mistreat her. They force her to do all the household chores, including fetching water from a nearby stream every day.

One day, while Vasilisa is at the stream, she encounters Baba Yaga, a witch who lives in a house that stands on chicken legs. Baba Yaga is a horrific hag who is feared by everyone in the village. Vasilisa is not afraid of her and asks for her help to return home. Baba Yaga agrees to help her but only if Vasilisa does some chores for her.

Vasilisa returns home with the help of Baba Yaga, and her stepmother and stepsisters are shocked to see her. Baba Yaga had given her a magic doll that had done all the chores for her. The doll had a secret power that Vasilisa had to keep hidden.

One day, the Tsar announces that he wants to marry the most beautiful girl in the village. Vasilisa's stepmother and stepsisters try to make Vasilisa look unkempt and unattractive to prevent her from being selected by the Tsar. But the magic doll helps Vasilisa look even more beautiful, and the Tsar falls in love with her at first sight.

However, the Tsar's advisor, the evil Koschei the Deathless, who is also a sorcerer, is against the idea of Vasilisa becoming the queen. He uses his magical powers to complicate things for Vasilisa and tries to sabotage the wedding.

The movie then takes us through an exciting journey of magic, sorcery, and love. Vasilisa has to navigate through a web of plots, and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to become the Queen.

The movie's cinematography and visuals are impressive, considering it was made in 1940. The settings and costumes are well-designed, and the special effects used to depict Baba Yaga's house and other magical elements are striking. The music is also noteworthy and adds to the story's charm.

The actors are in top form, and Georgiy Millyar, who plays the role of the Tsar, is particularly impressive. His portrayal of a man in love is heart-warming, and his journey from being a sceptic to becoming a believer in magic is remarkable.

Sergey Stolyarov, who plays Koschei the Deathless, is suitably villainous and impressive in his role. Lev Potyomkin, who plays Vasilisa's father, brings a sense of warmth and compassion to the role, despite his brief screen time.

Overall, Vasilisa The Beautiful is a charming and delightful movie that showcases the rich history and culture of Russia. It is a must-watch for those who enjoy fantasy and fairy tales or want to explore Soviet cinema's golden era. The film's universal themes of love, kindness, and courage make it a timeless classic that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.