AllMovie

Director Madeshda Koschewerowa whose first film was released in 1929 and who is best known for a 1947 production of Cinderella, is still in fine form in this mid-'80s version of a story by Charles Perrault. (Another, French version of the same story directed by Jacques Demy was released in 1970.) With great sets and costuming, the tale is about star-crossed lovers, an evil stepmother, and a magical donkey. Princess Theresa is set to marry the young Prince Jacques -- but her stepmother has other plans. Preying on the king's own weakness, the stepmother exacts a promise he feels bound to keep -- but that promise is anathema to the princess. Even though her fairy godmother and the magic donkey come to her aid, it is not enough. So she flees the castle and discards her royal trappings to become a beggar -- yet Prince Jacques still loves her and sets out to marry her, no matter what.