Mary Poppins, Goodbye (1983)

I had literally never heard of this Soviet 1983 two-part miniseries about Mary Poppins until browsing on a website. I had loved since my early childhood the Walt Disney Mary Poppins and could not quite imagine how this new version would turn out...And it turned out very well indeed!Meri Poppins, do svidaniya starts out the usual way: the Banks, a couple of busy parents want a responsible nurse to take care of their troublesome but sweet children, Jane and Michael. The very proper lady they end up hiring has magical powers and brings the children into a world of adventures. But the stories adapted from the books are different than those set in the 60's movies : no merry-go-rounds here but a talking statue, an oniric pastry shop and Mrs Banks' mother coming to visit.The little town portrayed in the miniseries is both realistic and dreamy, a British suburb from a children's books, peopled with quirky and charming characters. Natalya Andrejchenko leads an excellent cast as Mary Poppins: she's ladylike and sweet, graceful and funny. A great actress to walk in Julie Andrew's footsteps, and give the famous part her personal touch. Lembit Ulfsak as Bert (now a gardener and Mrs Bank's beatnik brother) gives another very good performance, providing new relief to the part. And Albert Filozov as a more relaxed Mr Banks than David Tomlinson was in the film, has just the right combination of quirkiness and respectability.Finally, the songs are extremely enjoyable and will stay in your head a long time after viewing. The soft ballad Mary Poppins sings to the children before they go to sleep, with nostalgic undertones, and "Veter Peremen" the final, hopeful number, being two of the highlights. In the end, this is a very special and sometimes quirky miniseries, making the most of its actors, story and sets. A definite must-see for children and adults and a great alternative to the original Mary Poppins.

According to opinion of western people, Soviet Union was absolutely totalitarian regime where everything was under propaganda, red dictatorship, etc. But at the same time there was great movie industry. Just look, how Soviet movie-makers show Britain, and they do not position British people or country as something negative, but would Americans or British make movie where events are happening in Soviet Union of 80-s or 70-s forgetting about Cold War realities, and just concentrating on art itself? By the way, one of comments was about Perestroika beginning. Actually 1983 year had nothing common with Perestoika because Perestroika begun in 1985, while in 1983 USSR was ruled by KGB man Yuri Andropov, and Gorbachev came to power only in 1985 March.

There are some movies that stay for eternity in your heart. This is kind of such moves - half-musical, giving your hope, with most beautiful film music I have ever heard. What a pity, this movie is so little known.The movie is made in times of perestroika's beginning - the whole Soviet world was waiting for something new and fresh. This movie has its freshness, but this freshness is also actual for our days.Check it out - you'll be really happy to know that move, I bet!Sometimes, if I have depression or stress, I sing to myself the optimistic song from this movie "Wind of Changes".This is really warm and wise song, that let you feel the essence of your life. I cannot really describe the feelings, you get while of watching this movie.

I think this movie is one of these you carry with you all your life. Once you see it, you fall in love. Why it's the number 1 movie in my heart, is that this is my childhood film. You got everything from it: fun, laughter, excitement, tears, warmth. There's lots of reading between the lines. And it is something every kid will understand and accept. I guess i would still cry when Meri Poppins takes the last wind to leave....