A Sober Sparrow Poster

A Sober Sparrow 1960

★ 8.01 votes17 min📅 1960-05-05

Leonid Amalrik's *A Sober Sparrow (1960)* is a sharp, satirical animated short that follows an innocent sparrow lured into a spiraling night of excess.

Director: Leonid Amalrik

Cast

Georgiy Vitsin
Georgiy Vitsin
Boris Olenin
Gennadiy Dudnik
Gennadiy Dudnik
Elena Ponsova
Elena Ponsova
Tamara Dmitrieva
Tamara Dmitrieva
Leonid Pirogov
Leonid Pirogov
Klementina Rostovtseva
Klementina Rostovtseva
Leonid Eremeev
Sergei Martinson
Sergei Martinson
Grigoriy Shpigel
Grigoriy Shpigel

Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Sober Sparrow (1960) about?

*A Sober Sparrow* tells the story of a simple sparrow who attends a banquet and finds himself pressured into drinking despite his initial reluctance. The night spirals into chaos as the bird's inhibitions vanish, leading to reckless behavior and a tragic conclusion that exposes the dangers of conformity.

Who directed A Sober Sparrow?

A Sober Sparrow was directed by Leonid Amalrik, a renowned filmmaker celebrated for his contributions to Soviet animation.

Who stars in A Sober Sparrow?

The film features the vocal talents of Georgiy Vitsin, Boris Olenin, Gennadiy Dudnik, Elena Ponsova, Tamara Dmitrieva, and Leonid Pirogov.

Is A Sober Sparrow (1960) worth watching?

As a 1960 Soviet animated short with no IMDb rating, *A Sober Sparrow* may not be widely known today, but its sharp satire and striking animation make it a compelling watch for fans of classic animated storytelling. Its themes of peer pressure and excess remain relevant, offering both entertainment and food for thought.

How long is A Sober Sparrow?

A Sober Sparrow has a runtime of 17 minutes.

About A Sober Sparrow (1960) — Soviet Animated Short Unpacks Peer Pressure and Excess

Leonid Amalrik's *A Sober Sparrow (1960)* is a sharp, satirical animated short that follows an innocent sparrow lured into a spiraling night of excess. At first resisting alcohol, the bird is pressured by drunken guests at a banquet until he loses control, leading to chaos that wakes the neighborhood and ends in catastrophe. Amalrik's direction blends biting humor with moral critique, using the sparrow's downfall to explore themes of peer pressure and self-destruction. The film's frenetic energy and stark visuals capture the absurdity of societal expectations and the dangers of conformity. With its brevity and bold storytelling, *A Sober Sparrow* remains a standout in Soviet animation, delivering a timeless cautionary tale wrapped in playful yet biting animation.

The story unfolds with a deceptive lightness, masking its sharp social commentary behind the guise of a whimsical fable. The sparrow's journey from reluctant abstinence to drunken oblivion is both tragic and darkly comedic, reflecting the absurdity of forced indulgence. Amalrik's use of animation amplifies the film's impact, turning a simple tale into a vivid exploration of human foibles filtered through an animal's perspective. The result is a compact but unforgettable critique of societal pressures, wrapped in the charm of classic animation.