A Timeless Animated Classic for the Whole Family

Hello everyone!

With New Year's Eve just around the corner, I'm feeling a bit like a kid again, eager to get into the holiday spirit. I decided to re-watch an old favorite that I used to love as a kid, but hadn't seen in ages.

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but my memories of the movie were pretty fuzzy, so it was like watching it for the first time all over again.

So, what did I think of it? Was I impressed? I'll get into all the details below.

A Little About the Movie "When the Christmas Trees Light Up"

Genre: animated film, children's film, short film

This is an animated film that's clearly geared towards kids, but I think some adults who enjoy cartoons might find it entertaining too.

Country: USSR

The movie's from 1950, which is pretty old, but I think it holds up surprisingly well. I remember watching it on TV as a kid, but my memories of it were pretty hazy, so it was nice to refresh my memory.

when the christmas trees light up movie reviewsDirector: Mstislav Sergeyevich Pashchenko

I don't know much about the director, but that's not really important. What matters is how the movie itself holds up, and whether it's worth watching.

Music: Karen Surenovich Khachaturyan

The music is a big part of the movie, with characters breaking into song at various points, so it's almost like a musical.

Duration: 20:00

The movie's a short one, clocking in at just 20 minutes, but it tells a complete story that takes place on New Year's Eve. One thing to note is that the first minute or so is taken up by credits, which give you a sense of who was involved in making the movie and who provided the voice acting.

RatingKinopoisk 8 out of 10

I have to say, I was a bit surprised by the rating. I was expecting something more in the 6-6.5 range, but it seems like people really enjoy this movie. And even on YouTube, there are a bunch of reviews with 5-star ratings.

when the christmas trees light up movie reviewsWhat's the Movie About?

Ded Moroz and Snegurochka are in a hurry to get to the city with presents for the kids, but on the way, the presents spill out of the bag.

I've got to say, the description under the video doesn't quite match the scene. Yeah, there was a bag and yeah, some gifts did spill out of it. But let's be real, Santa was already in a rush to get to the city in the first place.

Although, it's a minor detour, it's not that important in the grand scheme of things.

As you watch the movie, you'll get to see which gifts spilled out and why. Did the kids end up without a gift because of it? Or do miracles still happen on New Year's Eve?

I'll let you find out the answers to those questions for yourself by watching this amazing film, and I'll move on to the impressions it left on me.

when the Christmas tree lights up movie reviewsMY IMPRESSIONS AFTER WATCHING

Overall, I really like this movie and it leaves me with a great impression. It shows how the kids are getting ready for the holiday, learning their numbers so they can get gifts from Santa. And Santa's busy preparing gifts and trying to make sure they're exactly what the kids want.

This movie creates a great holiday atmosphere and you can't help but get sucked in and start looking forward to the holiday.

That being said, in terms of quality, this movie is definitely no match for modern animated films. The animation here is pretty simple and looks hand-drawn, which is kind of charming, but for those who are used to only watching modern animated films, it might seem a bit outdated.

when the Christmas tree lights up movie reviewsHowever, this movie's got its own little charm. It's old, but it's still good and wholesome, and it's got a cozy feel to it that makes you feel like the holiday season is just around the corner, and that's something we don't get to experience as much in our adult lives.

I like that the movie's logical, without any cheap jokes or silly humor that you often find in modern animated films, especially the ones from abroad. Plus, it's got a bit of a moral lesson to it, especially when one of the characters says:

gave his word - keep it

And then he goes and does what's expected of him, even though he's a bit nervous and scared.

when the Christmas tree lights up movie reviewsThe music throughout the movie is great, it's been chosen perfectly and adds to the holiday atmosphere when everyone's having fun, singing and dancing.

I've got to say, the voice acting in this one is a bit of a mixed bag for me. I mean, each character has their own voice actor, which is cool and all, but to be honest, I didn't love the way they did the voices. They seemed a bit rough around the edges to me, and it kinda grated on my nerves.

when the Christmas trees light up movie reviewsTHE VERDICT

All in all, this is a great movie to watch with the family on New Year's Eve and get you in the holiday spirit. If you're feeling a bit down and want some magic in your life, I'd recommend checking out the classic Soviet film 'When the Christmas Trees Light Up'.

Thanks for reading my review! I hope it's been helpful. Give it a like and leave a comment if you've got something to say! Come check out my profile here.

Wishing you all the best!

Be sure to check out my next reviews:

Hare and the Skier

The Little Ship

The Hunter's Rifle

The Tale of the Priest and His Servant Balda

The Snowman Postman