Based on a Russian folk tale. A proclamation went out through all the land that whosoever could build a flying ship would win the hand of the Tsar's daughter. The youngest son of a simple peasant shows up to claim her, and the dumbfounded Tsar quickly has second thoughts, setting several 'impossible" tasks for 'The Fool of the World' and his remarkable friends.
Practical Effects
Lumpy, lovable stop-motion that looks like it was baked, not rendered.
Acting
David Suchet narrates like he's personally offended by every plot twist.
Writing
The Fool's crew: a guy who eats everything, a guy who runs fast, pure genius.
Director
Francis Vose
Jimmy Hibbert
Crown Prince of Anatolia / Boris / Pyotr (voice)
David Suchet
Narrator (voice)
Miriam Margolyes
Mother / Mrs. Woodcutter
John Woodvine
The Chamberlain / Father (voice)
Martin Jarvis
Sharp Shooter / Lightening (voice)
Barbara Wilshere
Princess Alexya
Maurice Denham
(voice)
Robin Bailey
(voice)
Alan Rothwell
(voice)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was a Soviet-British co-production, explaining why the clay peasants look both folksy and slightly haunted.
The original Russian tale has hundreds of variants; this adaptation leans hard into the 'fool as trickster' archetype common in Slavic folklore.
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