Porridge Made from an Axe

A soldier was returning from the war. On the way, he stopped by a certain old woman Melanya and her little old man. The old woman turned out to be greedy and, citing a complete lack of food, refused to feed the soldier. Then the experienced soldier offered to cook porridge from an axe.

Directed by Ivan Ufimtsev, Porridge Made from an Axe leans on a strong ensemble — Nikolai Karachentsov, Boris Vladimirov, Boris Novikov — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about animation titles of 1982.