Son of the White Mare

Son of the White Mare (Fehérlófia, 1981) is a Hungarian animated fantasy film directed by Marcell Jankovics and produced by Pannónia Film Studio. Based loosely on ancient Hungarian mythology and folktales, the film follows Treeshaker, the supernaturally strong son of a white mare, as he ventures into the underworld to rescue three princesses imprisoned by monstrous dragons. Alongside two other mighty brothers—Stonecrumbler and Ironrubber—Treeshaker battles nightmarish beasts and demonic forces in a dreamlike, mythic landscape to restore cosmic balance. What sets Son of the White Mare apart is its visual style—a psychedelic explosion of colors, morphing shapes, and bold geometric compositions. The animation is entirely hand-drawn and features relentless motion, abstraction, and symbolic imagery, making it feel more like a living folk painting than a traditional animated film. The film is driven by oral-narrative cadence, minimalist dialogue, and a hypnotic score, reinforcing its mythic tone. The film had limited international exposure upon release, largely due to Cold War-era distribution restrictions. It was well-received in Hungary and parts of Eastern Europe but remained largely unknown in the West until decades later. It grossed modestly in its original run, with no significant global box office numbers reported. However, it began to gain international attention after being restored in 4K and re-released in 2020 by Arbelos Films. Critically, Son of the White Mare is now hailed as a masterpiece of experimental animation. It holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (based on limited reviews) and is frequently described as one of the greatest animated films ever made. Reviewers and animation historians praise its uncompromising vision, radical aesthetic, and mythological density. Marcell Jankovics, a revered figure in Hungarian cinema, is often compared to Hayao Miyazaki or Ralph Bakshi in terms of influence, though his style is even more abstract and surreal. The film won the Feature Film Prize at the 1984 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, one of the highest honors in animation. It has since been screened at major festivals and retrospectives worldwide, particularly after its 4K restoration, which introduced it to a new generation of animation fans and cinephiles. Son of the White Mare has grown into a cult classic, beloved for its daring visuals and mythic storytelling. It stands as a triumph of Eastern European animation and a testament to the artistic possibilities of the medium. Today, it is regarded not only as Hungary’s greatest animated film but also as one of the most visionary works in the entire history of animation.