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Soviet series of animated shorts by Fyodor Hitruk based on AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh books. This series is universally beloved and cited throughout all former Soviet Union, and is the definitive version of Winnie there.
The biggest differences with Disney's version is that the Soviet Winnie is not The Ditz, nor is he cutesy. He's kinda on a rough side, has a raspy voice, orders Piglet around and has a poetic and cunning side to him. Also, while Christopher Robin is present in Boris Zakhoder's adaptation in the book, his role in the shorts is assumed by other characters.
All three shorts are available with English subtitles:
- Winnie-the-Pooh, 1969
- Winnie-the-Pooh Goes Visiting, 1971
- Winnie-the-Pooh and the Day of Concerns, 1972
Series provides examples of:
- Adaptation Distillation: Hitruk made quite a big changes to the original material. Firstly, he based it on Boris Zakhoder's translation which itself was more like re-telling of the original (which still worked) and Zakhoder was directly working with him on the script. There were other changes that even Zakhoder felt were too much though, like the removal of Christopher Robin.
- Eventually major Creative Differences made Zakhoder to leave the series, and it ended after just three shorts, while they were supposed to do more.
- Big Eater: Winnie, duh.
- Good Is Not Dumb: in contrast with Disney's version
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Winnie. Yes, Winnie acts quite jerk-ish in these shorts (towards Piglet and Rabbit). On the other hand, he still rushes to give Eyeore the present on his birthday.
- She's a Man In Japan: Owl is an old lady here instead of a male character in the original. It's because the Russian word for "owl" is intrinsically female.
- Averted with Tigger, who is named "Tigra" in the Russian translation. He is still male despite the feminine ending. Just in the book though, as he doesn't appear in any of the shorts.
- The Philosopher: Winnie.
- Raymanian Limbs: Winnie's feet are not directly attached to his body.
- Spectacular Scenery: backgrounds are drawn in kids' crayons style.