Ballets Russes
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Movie Reviews of Ballets Russes
Movie Review: A Superlative Insight and History of the Ballet Russes
Summary: 5 Stars
Once in a while a documentary sheds such inner light on the subject matter and the characters that it becomes an art film, a story, a novel, a memento. Such is the case with BALLET RUSSES. This tender, touching, humorous, and exactingly real look at the history of ballet in the hands of the expatriated Russians in Europe in the early part of the 20th century to the reformation of the troop after the death in 1929 by master Impresario Diaghilev unfolds through the words and movements of those who experienced it.
To say too much about the content would be like telling each member of a conversation group the essence before the topic unfolds. Suffice it to say that here are the dancers, choreographers, composers, artists creating the sets and costumes who produced the contemporary standard for ballet that still exist today. To have the joy of watching Massine, Balanchine, Lichine, Markova, Krassovska, Danilova, Riabouchinska, Platt, Zoritch, Franklin and the designs of Picasso, Dali, Laurencin, etc is more than a visual treat: it is a step into a history of creativity the likes of which we may never see again.
The real joy of this rich film is the conversations and, yes, dance movements of the surviving members of this troop and those who admired it. It is full of touching moments and memorable sequences that easily place this documentary in the top of the list of works in this genre, Grady Harp, September 06
Movie Review: Entertaining, Educational, and Emotional
Summary: 5 Stars
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this DVD or not. The only reason I did was to find out some basic background information which I needed in writing a paper. After it was over, I found myself amazed and wanting to find out even more about the Ballet Russe and wishing I could have seen them at their prime.
The basic components of this DVD are archival footage of the actual Ballets, pictures of individuals involved with them, and interview sessions with a handful, maybe two handfuls, of surviving dancers who are well into their 80s.
Granted, I needed to take a break halfway through because there is a lot to digest in this DVD, as soon as you press play, it is very engrossing. It is amazing to see how passionate these people are about dance, what they had to go through, the ups and downs, the different dance companies. You really find yourself affected by their stories.
It was even more personal to me because I have actually seen and touched many of these costumes. Having worked at a museum there was an entire wall in one of the storage rooms devoted to the Ballet Russe. And just seeing the names of the ballets brought back many memories.
You don't have to be a fan of the ballet to enjoy this DVD. There is so much history and footage, any old movie buff or historian would enjoy it.
Movie Review: For Every Ballet Fan
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an absolutely delightful DVD. It combines narration, archival footage, and interviews with original(!) members of the companies to produce a very engaging history. To clarify, the DVD is about two companies: the "Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo" and the so-called "Original Ballet Russe" company, both of which split off from the _real_ original Ballet Russe - which as all of you know was the company of Najinsky etc. - after 1929.
Everything about this DVD is first-class. The archival footage is very clean. The narration clarified many points of history about which I was very confused, including how George Balanchine bounced around like a pinball from place to place during those early years. Best of all was the contemporary footage and oral history interviews of company members. I could hardly believe how many dancers from the two companies are still around in the 21st century! We're talking WWII-era here. If this were Japan, we would declare them National Treasures. Many of them in their 80s, they are still vital and active in teaching, and in at least one case, performing! And they are still such lovely people that my heart just went out to them.
The DVD cover includes a url for more information: [...]; do check it out, and I hope you like it as much as I did!
Movie Review: A beautiful journey in the ballet
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie on Les Ballets Russes Russes de Monte Carlo takes viewers on a beautiful journey through the history of this wonderful company. My mother was one of the dancers who danced between 1938 and 1940. Her stage name was Marina Franca but she did not live long enough to take part in the reunion or the movie. Seeing the personal stories of the dancers who were interviewed made me recall all her memories of a time when great artists,choreographers and composers all brought their talents together for this travelling company. The Ballet Russe went across the U.S. to small towns and was a transitional stage between the dancing styles of Old Russia and what we now know as Modern Dance. The company did split up at one point into two companies with one touring the U.S. and the other going to Australia and South America. Even for those less interested in the ballet, this joyful movie will bring a feeling of what it was like to be on the stage and under the lights at a now historical moment in Dance.Movie Review: Deliriously wonderful film
Summary: 5 Stars
First up, I am not into ballet, or at least not very much. It's never been an artform that has grabbed me, with occasional exceptions. However, this documentary is one of the most beautiful, charming, witty and moving films I have ever seen (and I'm old, so that says a lot). The performers - some of them now in their 90's and still hale - are remarkable, and the ease with which the filmmaker moves through the history of these amazing two companies of artists is a joy to behold. I saw this on a whim in the theater when it first came out; I laughed at some of the dancers' memories, cried at the sheer beauty of the historic footage, and came out feeling wonderful about life and the magic that is performance art at its very best.
At times funny, at times touching, always beautiful, this film is both a loving tribute to an extraordinary time and a consummate work of art.