The Snow Queen () is a 1957 Soviet animated musical fantasy film directed by Lev Atamanov. It was produced by Soyuzmultfilm and is based on the 1844 story of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen. The film is one of the first cinematic adaptations of the Scandinavian Danish fable ever since the story was written by Andersen in New Fairy Tales. First Volume. Second Collection (1844). The film was the ninth full-length animated film from studio Soyuzmultfilm. The film was released in Russia on November 1, 1957. The film was re-released with English soundtracks in 1959, 1993 and 1995. The film was translated into all major languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and even Swedish. In 1959 at the height of the Cold War, Universal Pictures acquired the film for U.S. theatrical distribution. In the United States, in the 1960s and 70s, it became a good tradition to show The Snow Queen during the December holidays. In all countries where The Snow Queen was shown, the most popular actors of the country took part in voicing the characters. The Snow Queen was voiced by Russian actress Maria Babanova. Vladimir Gribkov (ru), Yanina Zhejmo, Sergey Martinson and Anna Komolova (ru) also were part of the voice cast. The screenplay is by Nikolai Erdman, Georgy Grebner (ru) and animation by Alexander Vinokurov (ru), Leonid Shvartsman, Elizabeth Komova, Vladimir Krumin and Fyodor Khitruk. After a 2007 Ghibli Museum Library release in Japan, an interview revealed that the dialogue, compositions, animation and themes of the film influenced Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. An HD film restoration re-release of The Snow Queen published in Russia on 19 December 2020 by Soyuzmultfilm. Plot Two young children, Kai and Gerda, listen to Gerda's grandmother as she tells them the legend of the Snow Queen. Kai jokes that if he met the Queen, he would put her on a hot stove, and melt her. The Snow Queen, who is watching the children in her magic mirror, becomes angry and smashes the mirror with her scepter. She enchants the ice splinters and sends a big snowstorm over the city. A rush of wind changes Kai's heart turning him cruel towards Gerda. The next day, Kai ties his sled to the sleigh of the Snow Queen, who takes him into her arms as her willing captive. Gerda sets out for the Snow Queen's palace, determined not to give up until