Vasiliy Lanovoy and Anastasiya Vertinskaya in Alye Parusa (1961)
By Teri O.
“It will be a fine sunny day when a beautiful ship under scarlet sail comes and the noble prince will take you away from here. He’ll take you to the world of your dreams, where you will be loved and happy.”
Do you like fairy tales? Are you a hopeless romantic at heart? Do you believe in miracles? Are you fond of happy endings? I’m excited to tell you about another wonderful discovery that I made on YouTube! This time it’s a beautiful old movie!
SCARLET SAILS (Alye Parusa) is a 1961 Soviet romantic fantasy film based on the 1923 romance novel of the same name by Alexander Grin (also spelled Green). It’s a tale of hope, dreams, and love, set in a quaint seaside village. The movie was filmed on the Black Sea.
The story revolves around a bright young girl named Assol (ah-SOL, meaning “toward the sun”), who is mocked by villagers for believing in a stranger’s prophecy: that one day, a ship with scarlet sails will come to take her away to a better life, planting the seed of hope in her heart.
The film simultaneously follows the story of Arthur Gray, a nobleman’s son who longs for adventure and breaks away from his cruel father to pursue a life at sea. After years of hard work, he becomes the captain of a merchant vessel and sets sail toward the small fishing village where Assol lives.
While on shore leave, Captain Gray discovers a young maiden sleeping in the forest and falls in love with her at first sight. After inquiring about her at the local tavern and hearing the stories told about Assol, the captain decides to surprise her and make her dream come true by arriving on a ship with scarlet sails.
Here’s an overview of the main characters from SCARLET SAILS:
- Assol: A kindhearted and dreamy young woman who grows up without a mother. As a child, she embraces a stranger’s prophecy about scarlet sails and holds onto this hope, despite the ridicule of others in her village. Her unwavering belief in her dreams and her gentle nature make her a symbol of perseverance and faith.
- Gray: A nobleman and sailor with a romantic soul. When Gray learns about Assol’s story, he is deeply moved and sets out to fulfill her dream by transforming his ship’s sails into scarlet ones. His actions demonstrate his love, generosity, and belief in making the impossible possible.
- Longren: Assol’s father, a widower and former sailor. After losing his beloved wife, Longren raises Assol by himself. While he lives a modest life making a meager living by selling the toy boats he carves from wood, his love and support for Assol are steadfast.
The characters in SCARLET SAILS help to illuminate several meaningful themes:
- Parent-Child Bond: Longren’s steadfast support for his daughter, despite their hardships, demonstrates the importance of a father’s love and encouragement in nurturing a dreamer’s spirit.
- The Power of Dreams and Belief: Assol embodies the strength of holding onto one’s dreams despite adversity. Her unwavering faith in the prophecy of the scarlet sails serves as a metaphor for the transformative power of belief.
- Resilience Against Cynicism: The story contrasts the optimism of Assol and Gray with the skepticism and mockery of the villagers, emphasizing the idea that hope and perseverance can triumph over negativity.
- Destiny and Human Effort: While the prophecy of the scarlet sails seems magical, it is ultimately Gray’s decision that brings it to fruition. This reflects the balance between destiny and personal effort in shaping one’s future.
- Love and Selflessness: Gray’s plan to surprise Assol and fulfill her dream highlights the beauty of selfless love. His actions show how love can inspire individuals to go beyond societal expectations and make extraordinary gestures.
These themes intertwine to craft a timeless story about hope, love, and the pursuit of a better life. Assol trusted in a miracle and waited. The neighbors told jokes about her, children teased her and called her names, but she never gave up her dream.
The film is obviously dated and foreign, so don’t expect a Disney-quality experience. However, it has an enchanting atmosphere and some Disneyesque overtones, like the part that reminded me of Sleeping Beauty. I also loved it when the girl dances through the forest, greeting each tree like they’re her friends, in a scene reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli anime.
And in an absurd scenario that could also be out of Studio Ghibli, the funniest line in the whole movie is when a sailor exclaims: “He was attacked by people with drums, trumpets, and violins!” Must watch to see what leads up to that situation! Someone should actually remake the story as an animated movie!
The cinematography in this SCARLET SAILS film is amazing, especially the sailing scenes. In fact, Russian people like the story so much that in St. Petersburg they hold an annual Scarlet Sails Festival. I enjoyed hearing the Russian dialogue and reading the English subtitles. If you’re drawn to heartfelt stories with a touch of whimsy, it’s well worth watching!
“I have realized a simple truth. Miracles have to be done with your own hands. If you can, make a miracle happen in someone’s life.”
The DVD is out of print, but the SCARLET SAILS book is available in paperback or Kindle editions. You can also read an English translation of the original novel here.
