Soviet Anti-Nazi Cartoon Films During WW2

Soviet cartoons from World War II were not much different from the Soviet feature films of the same era. War movies and cartoons were a variety of weapons. Since the enemy can not be any compromise. The message? The enemy can not be left alive.  Konstantin Simonov in his famous poem "If the road you your house" says

Cruel? But do not forget - in those years it was a matter of the survival of our country and its peoples. Us or them. No middle ground.

Ideological and cultural war preparations began long before June 22, 1941 the Germans crossed into the Soviet Union. "War is inevitable". That was understood by all. Millions of copies of printed books such as "First strike" were circulated. Films such as "If Tomorrow War", "Deep Raid," "The squadron number 5." were made In these works, the invaders (not named aloud as the Germans, but easily recognizable) suffered a crushing defeat in the first days of the war.

Notice that the Soviet military cartoons are nothing like Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips or Tokyo Jokio - cartoons inciting ethnic hatred. More often than not, the main villain - a possessed guy with the mustache. Or we see a brutish creature, who represents fascism. 

Another animated film journal. This time, the satirical. Circus of three numbers. The first chapter is devoted to Adolf trainer and his dog - European leaders - Germany's allies. Dog named Mussolini, Horthy and Antonescu do their best to cheer up the host, and then fiercely fighting over a bone thrown to them. In the second story, Hitler had to ask the blessing and advice of Napoleon. It should be noted that Soviet propaganda at the beginning of the war often compared the two "great generals." A similar story was in "field kinosbornike No. 2." And in the song "bastards no mercy" was a verse: "Hitler waited for an answer from Napoleon. "Tell me, how can I finish the fight with Russia." He replied sleepily from the grave: "You are a friend of mine. Come to bed with me." The end of the newsreel shows Hitler juggling torches, standing on a barrel of gunpowder. Each barrel represents one of the countries conquered by the Nazis. And in the end  the barrels, of course, explode.

Animated film journal. The issue consists of four themes - "What does Hitler?", "Nazi Bay Pirates," "Beat the enemy at the front and in the rear," and "Handshake." Hitler what he wanted? Of course, to return the land to the landlords, capitalists and factories. What he gets is also clear - sudden death from Soviet bayonets. Story about the Nazi pirates pleased with their psychedelic - German U-boats look like shark tank turrets on their backs. The plot of "Kill the enemy in front and in the rear!" Is devoted to the fascist agents in the Soviet rear. These agents appear as characters of horror films. And in the end they will face the same fate as most movie monsters - inevitable death at the hands of goodies. A "handshake" is dedicated to the conclusion of an agreement between the Soviet Union and Great Britain on joint operations against Nazi Germany - Soviet and British soldiers shake hands across the map of Europe.

Half of screen time the fascist boots trample a map of Europe - Czechoslovakia, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, France ... Shots with boots sometimes replaced by a frame in which the bomb with a swastika falls on a map of Europe. And then, finally, murderous pig in Wehrmacht  uniform crosses the border of the Soviet Union. To the viewer it is immediately clear that the Nazi boot could not trample this country. In the background sounds "March Tankistov" -  And in the fast frame "Beteshki" and three-turret T-28 proved to the the Nazis that crossing  the border of the country was a mistake. At the time the cartoon was made it was another four years before the victory came to Russia, but these cartoons inspired in the people of the country a  belief that victory was inevitable.

Cartoon is simple - Nazi bombers vultures cross the border of our country and get what they deserve from the red star Yastrebkov (easily recognizable "donkey" - I-16). Cartoon ends with the famous slogan - "Our cause is just. The enemy will be defeated. Victory will be ours! ". Surprising choice of audio - behind the scenes, a melody sounds "March Gunners." Although there is no artillery, anti-aircraft in the frame. By the way, contrary to popular belief, "donkey" modified in 11941 were not obsolete aircraft. At top speed they out-raced the German "Messer".  But in terms of maneuverability "donkey" was lousy.