How a 1947 Soviet film reimagined the classic Cinderella story with a magical twist

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In this 1947 Soviet musical from Lenfilm studios, the familiar tale of Cinderella takes a surprising turn. While the downtrodden heroine still faces her cruel stepmother, a last-minute intervention by the King—who orders the palace clocks turned back—changes the stakes of the midnight deadline and the search for the bride.

The 1947 film Zolushka, produced by Lenfilm, brings a distinct Soviet sensibility to the traditional fairy tale. Yanina Zhejmo stars as Cinderella, a girl suffering under the despotism of her stepmother, played by Faina Ranevskaya. The stepmother favors her own daughters, Anna and Marianne, while suppressing her husband, the Forester, and his daughter. The narrative follows the classic trajectory of a royal ball, but with unique character dynamics and a whimsical, magical atmosphere.

The film's magic is facilitated by the Fairy Godmother, portrayed by Varvara Myasnikova, who arrives with a young Page to transform a pumpkin, mice, and a rat into the necessary accoutrements for a royal evening. However, the plot deviates from the standard version when the King, played by Erast Garin, takes a personal interest in the mysterious guest who captivates the Prince. In a pivotal moment, the Page warns Cinderella that the King has ordered all palace clocks to be turned back an hour, providing her with extra time before her finery reverts to rags.

The resolution of the film centers on the iconic search for the owner of a lost crystal slipper. When the royal Corporal attempts to fit the shoe on the stepsisters, the King rejects their claims. The Forester eventually brings Cinderella to the palace, revealing that he possesses the second slipper. The film concludes on a hopeful note, with the King predicting that the couple will eventually have a daughter who will be married by the Page, cementing the story's focus on kindness and the eventual triumph over hardship.

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