Treasury of Children's Stories

The Feather Fairy

October 1985 •Slovak

A fairy-tale about an old lady who takes care of snow and Jakub who does not fear death. It reflects the idea of people's longing for happiness, love and understanding, their effort to overcome troubles and win over death. It criticizes greed and evil desires.

Alesha Popovich and Tugarin the Dragon

December 2004 •Russian

Alesha Popovich has to catch Tugarin Zmey and bring back the stolen money with the help of a talking Horse (which talks all the time and has an opinion on everything), a wise granny, a donkey and a beauty Lyubava.

Das tapfere Schneiderlein

December 2008 •German

Poor but confident and resourceful tailor David trusts, after killing seven flies in one swat, he's a match for any challenge and sets out to prove himself in the wide world. After luck and cunning help him deal with giant Lothar, he arrives at the castle of petty king Ernst, who is ruled by constant migraine and his ambitious, manipulative court counsellor Klaus, who desires to succeed by winning brat princess Paula's hand and claims to be the only saviour who can rid the land of three supernatural dangers.

Coppelia

March 2022 •Dutch

When everyone in town falls under the spell of charismatic cosmetic surgeon Doctor Coppelius, feisty Swan must act to save her sweetheart Franz, before his heart is used to spark life into Coppelia – the ‘perfect’ robot-woman the Doctor has created.

Nasreddin's First Love

December 1978 •Russian

Based on the work of the same name by Timur Zulfikarov about the adventures of the famous hero of Oriental fairy tales Khoja Nasreddin.

Garib in the Land of Jinn

February 1977 •Azerbaijani

FairyTale: A True Story

October 1997 •English

In 1917, two children take a photograph, which is soon believed by some to be the first scientific evidence of the existence of fairies. Based on the true story of the Cottingley Fairies.

The False Prince

June 1985 •Slovak

The Sultan awaits the arrival of his son, Prince Omar, who has brought up in a distant land. The master tailor and his assistances are making clothes for the prince. Labakan, the most gifted of his assistances, craves to be a Sovereign's heir so he steals the princely garments snd poses as the Sultan's son.

The Golden Bird

March 1987 •Japanese

"Kin no Tori" is an adaptation of the homonymous fairy tale "The Golden Bird" by Brothers Grimm. A golden apple is stolen from the King's garden. The King orders his three sons to guard the apples in turn and to find out who is the thief. When the youngest son, Hans, presents a feather that he got from the golden bird that stole the apple the king sends his three sons to bring this bird to him and so Hans' journey begins.

Dům U tří vlaštoviček

March 1985 •Czech

O Držgrešlovi a Drždukátovi

March 1998 •Czech

Držgrešle and Drždukát are truly miserly characters. With their cunning, deceit, and eloquence, they could probably swindle a calf from a barren cow. They rob simple villagers and fairy-tale creatures of whatever they can. Just think, they even take away the terrible voice of a terrible robber. In the end, however, they meet their match: the lazy Vojta and his sweetheart Anička come up with a way to rob the greedy brothers of the sack in which they keep all the possessions of those who cross their path.

O kouzelné šišce

November 1989 •Czech

O líné Pepině, Vojtovi a sedmi raraších

December 1991 •Czech

A cheerful fairy tale about how honest craftsmanship triumphs over hell... A cheerful fairy tale about the reformation of a lazy princess from an impoverished kingdom, whose extravagance leads her to hell. From there, she must be rescued by the tailor Vojta, with the help and efforts of the reformed Pepina, who has learned to work in the service...

Hadač od Saidovy zahrady

December 1980 •Czech

Podivná nevěsta

September 1987 •Czech

If the shoemaker Prokop did not know how to sew such wonderful shoes, he would hardly have met a mysterious girl named Serpentia. Prokop is about to marry his Verunka, but the mysterious Serpentia charms him and when she invites him to the ball, the young man cannot resist. Intoxicated by her beauty, he moves the unknown girl into his home. However, Prokop's mother is not at all enthusiastic about this bride. The biggest mystery for her is where Serpentia goes at noon. However, when her son suddenly disappears, the mother sets out into the world to free him from the power of the mysterious beauty...

The Tale of Malchish-Kibalchish

August 1965 •Russian

The story is about a brave boy who never takes off his hat.

Hansel and Gretel

January 1971 •German

Hansel and Gretel is a Swiss short fairy tale movie by Rudolf Jugert from 1971. It is based on Grimm’s fairy tale Hansel and Gretel.

Emelya the Fool and Elena the Beautiful

January 1992 •Russian

Feature film based on a Russian fairy tale. A smart but lazy farm boy is sent to fetch water by his mother. He catches a magical fish that promises to grant his every wish if he gives him his life.

Die Geschichte vom armen Hassan

July 1958 •German

The land in poor Hassan's Central Asian homeland is stony and lacks water. Every day, he gazes longingly at the well in the garden of the rich merchant Machmud, which is full to the brim. One day, Hassan's parrot sits on the edge of the well and is attacked by Machmud's guard dog. To save his only friend, Hassan has to kill the dog. The cadi then sentences him to take the place of the guard dog, chained up. When a horse is stolen, he also has to do its work. The slave girl Fatima is his only ray of hope. But even she cannot persuade him to flee, as his place seems predestined by Allah. Only an overheard deal between the merchant and the cadi makes Hassan realize that the world order is dictated by the rich.

The Story of Little Mook

December 1953 •German

An old man living in an oriental city tells the story of his life to a group of kids: He too was once a young boy by the name of Little Muck - much like them, but with better manners and a heap of problems. Having lost his father at early age, little Muck is expelled from home by his greedy relatives. He wanders off into the desert hoping to find the merchant who sells good fortune. Amidst the dunes of sand he comes across a small house owned by a wicked woman and her many cats. She wants to make Little Muck her servant, but he manages to escape by stealing a pair of magic shoes which enable him to run faster than any man in the country. From there he heads right into the next set of challenges...