Like many contributors I remember being quite scared by this film, watching it in the mid 1960s as a young child. It left a big impression, and it remained in my memory for over 40 years.We bought this on DVD recently and I joked with my wife that it was pure propaganda; the 'haughty' princess representing the third Reich, the enchanted bear was revolutionary Russia, and the evil dwarf the manipulative and cynical forces of capitalism - it only works to a certain point, and will go right over the head of most viewers! This is a hugely enjoyable film, at many levels, and whilst many of the special effects look very dated it doesn't detract from the story at all.

Wonderful and fascinating as The Singing Ringing Tree is, myself and my contemporaries were totally traumatised by its images as young children. The man dressed as a bear and the dwarf terrified me and the fish at the waterfall made me very uneasy. The very nature of the theatrical effects and make-up was what I found disconcerting as a 7 or 8 year old. I watched it in a local cinema as an adult and thought that my demons had been exorcised but recently I saw a TV programme which featured a "mechanical" fish and my childhood trauma came flooding back instantly ! No film however violent or scary has ever had this kind of effect on me before or since, but please don't let me put you off from watching The Singing Ringing Tree !!

this is one of the most amazing looking,surreal films of all time and i only recently acquired it on video.it was just as good after fond childhood memories of it.highly recommended,with great special effects,and stunning set design,and vivid colour and cinematography.buy with confidence!

The East German DEFA produced quite a number of fairy tale adaptations of high standard, but this one is certainly one of the best and most beautiful. Exceptional and fantastic set design combined with expertly done trick-cinematography make a delicious cinematic treat for every age group, though the original colours have faded. Good cast and precise direction by Francesco Stefani.