THE SNOW MAIDEN is another Russian fairy tale, this one based on a famous Russian play from the 19th century. It has a noticeably more musical streak this time around, with the characters often breaking into song at a moment's notice, and it's pretty decent in that respect, the music very old-fashioned and 'folky' in tone.
Otherwise, the film is strictly by the numbers. The titular character is made out of snow and gets involved with various others in a plot incorporating the usual melodrama, romance, and villainry. Some of the dialogue is quite loud and headache-inducing although the film wins plaudits for the swamp-man character. The snowbound locations are well-realised but the story doesn't quite grip as much as other fare like JACK FROST, and it feels quite dated these days.
Otherwise, the film is strictly by the numbers. The titular character is made out of snow and gets involved with various others in a plot incorporating the usual melodrama, romance, and villainry. Some of the dialogue is quite loud and headache-inducing although the film wins plaudits for the swamp-man character. The snowbound locations are well-realised but the story doesn't quite grip as much as other fare like JACK FROST, and it feels quite dated these days.