There's no doubt watching Barbara the Fair with the Silken Hair that the production designers had taken more than one look at MGM's The Wizard of Oz. There are sequences that look so close to the scenes in Munchkinland, in their design as well as the camera setups and angles, that for a second one is almost fooled; the fact that the inspiration for at least some of the costumes seems also have come from the MGM film only adds to the feeling of déjà vu on seeing Barbara the Fair with the Silken Hair. Of course, in every other respect, this is an extremely Russian film, in subject matter, mood (sardonic), and approach, with some knowing cynicism and a mixing of modernistic and folk elements that also makes one think of Jay Ward's Fractured Fairy Tales. There is even a song-and-dance number that seems to burlesque Hollywood. All of that, plus music and an unassuming naïvety make this into a totally beguiling movie for modern viewers (though perhaps not for kids, or at least most American kids, who may not have the patience for the antics we see on the screen). The production values are beautiful, and may well entrance younger viewers and adults -- the fantasy landscapes and settings are stunning -- and Aleksandr Rou keeps the action moving forward at a decent pace, although this movie is not quite as enjoyable as his Father Frost.