The Return (1980): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch
The Return is a 1980 short sci-fi animated film directed by Vladimir Tarasov, starring Vasiliy Livanov, Aleksandr Kaydanovskiy and Viktor Balashov. It runs 10 minutes. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Midnight Pulp, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Release year
- Runtime
- 10 min
- Director
- Vladimir Tarasov
- Original language
-
Russian - Studio
- Soyuzmultfilm
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Return About?
The premise of The Return without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
As the long‑duration space mission draws to a close, the cosmonaut drifts toward re‑entry but, just before the planned landing, he succumbs to sleep. Isolated, he misses Earth’s signals and a looming disaster threatens the crew. When the vessel passes over his childhood home, the grandfather‑wound alarm clock rings, waking him.
The Return Themes & Keywords
· 1 tag- hand drawn animation
Where to Watch The Return
Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Midnight Pulp, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 10
Amazon Prime Video 
Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads 
Amazon Prime Video with Ads 
Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel 
Philo 
Plex 
Plex Channel 
Pluto TV 
The Roku Channel 
Tubi TV 
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
The Return Cast
Vasiliy Livanov leads the cast, with Aleksandr Kaydanovskiy and Viktor Balashov. Directed by Vladimir Tarasov.
- Director Vladimir Tarasov
The Return Plot Summary
What happens in The Return from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the quiet glow of a gas station in the small New Mexico town of Little Creek, a night encounter unfolds in 1955 that will echo across decades. A young girl, traveling with her father, wanders the deserted main street and crosses paths with a local boy. Both are spellbound by a mysterious column of light from above that pierces the darkness. When the light vanishes as quickly as it appeared, the girl hurries back to her father’s car, and the car pulls away, leaving the memory of that strange moment to linger in their minds.
Full summary
The whole story of The Return, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Return?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In which year does the initial night encounter at the gas station take place?
Cars in The Return
32 cars on screen, including the 1980 AMC Eagle and the 1979 Datsun 280ZX.
-
1980 AMC Eagle Main role -
1979 Datsun 280ZX Important role -
1977 Dodge Monaco Important role -
Harley-Davidson XL 1000 Sportster Important role
The Return Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “Vozvrashchenie” and “Vozvraschenie”.
- Also known as
-
- Vozvrashchenie
- Vozvraschenie
- Le Retour
- 回归
Seen The Return?
Movies Like The Return
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Return, The Pass and The Son of the Stars.
The Return FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, post-credit scenes and language of The Return, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Return?
The Return runs 10 minutes.
When was The Return released?
The Return was released in 1980.
Who directed The Return?
The Return was directed by Vladimir Tarasov.
More films by Vladimir Tarasov Who is in the cast of The Return?
The Return stars Vasiliy Livanov, Aleksandr Kaydanovskiy and Viktor Balashov.
Where can I watch The Return?
In the US, The Return is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Midnight Pulp and Philo and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
Does The Return have a post-credit scene?
No. The Return has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Return in?
The original language of The Return is Russian.
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