Aybolit-66

Rolan Bykov’s 1966 Soviet children’s film comes from a story by Korney Chukovsky. The monkeys in Africa have fallen ill, and the news reaches Doctor Aybolit through Chichi, a monkey who has escaped from the bandit Barmaley. Aybolit sets off with his helpers, Chichi and the dog Avva, while Barmaley and his men try to stop them. Bykov not only directed it but plays Barmaley himself, with Oleg Yefremov as Aybolit. The film does not tell the tale as a straight adventure; it moves through songs and a playful, openly theatrical manner that keeps reminding you it is a performance. It has remained one of the best-remembered Soviet children’s films.