Tale of Tales

Tale of Tales (Сказка сказок, Skazka skazok) is a masterpiece by the great animator, Yuri Norstein. Like another Norstein classic, Hedgehog in the Fog, Tale of Tales has been called the greatest animated film of all time.

A stunningly beautiful film, Tale of Tales is a journey through Norstein’s childhood as well as the nature of human memory. Scene follows scene by association rather than by a neat narrative or chronological order. The tragedy of WWII is interspersed with mythical symbols, like life-affirming green apples.

There’s much to enjoy and unpack in this half an hour animation. Definitely give it your time.

• 1970s
• English subtitles
• Soviet Union