Degas and the Dancer
by David Devine
Our Price: $999.98
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Ian D.Clark; Arlene Mazerolle and Robin Duke Thomas Jay Ryan; Alison Pill; Kathryn Long; Steve FretwellDirector: David Devine
DVD: Region Code 1
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Digital Sound, Dolby, Dubbed, Full length, Full Screen, NTSC
Running Time: 55 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-05-28
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Devine Productions Ltd.
Movie Reviews of Degas and the Dancer
Movie Review: Kids learn to love Degas in spite of himself
Summary: 5 Stars
This was one of the movies in our VHS collection that had to be purchased again for our DVD collection. Our kids loved the videos from the artists series, and we loved watching the kids learn about the artists in a way that portrays them realistically and enjoyably...so we decided to buy them again!
Degas is a bit of a grump in this movie, but it's an honest portrayal of him, and a great opportunity for exposure to his art. Seeing what went into making his art made it all so much more real for our kids (and for us as parents!) and gave them an even greater appreciation for his works than they had before from just seeing them in art books on the coffee table.
The makers of this movie showed Degas in his humanness and his somewhat quirky personality; but they also caused the viewer to appreciate him in spite of his flaws as his relationship with the dancer unfolded and his art resulted. Each of the characters were laid out well, and the story line was threaded with lessons from life that we can all appreciate. Each of the movies that we've seen from this series have been about the artist(s) and a relationship with a child or children, making it more interesting for children to watch. The stories are very family-friendly and enjoyable for the whole family to watch together.
As an artist I appreciate movies like this that inspire my children and make the art in the books and museums seem more like "their own". Now when they see a Degas painting in a book or a poster or whatever, it's personal to them because they've seen the story behind the art and have discovered things about the artist that make it all more real to them. I've recommended the DVDs from this series to friends and family, and plan to continue to buy them not only for my children, but also as possible gifts for other children.
Summary of Degas and the Dancer
-ALA Notable Children's Video-Editors' Choice, Booklist
-Top 5 Video of the Year, KidsFirst!
-Winner of the Humanitas Prize
A struggling Degas finds inspiration for his art in Marie, a young ballerina. Degas helps Marie tap into the talent she doesn't believe she has while she convinces Degas to persevere despite criticism from the art establishment. An artist and model, they become friends and find in each other what they need to follow their dreams.
This 1999 Humanitas prize-winning video explores the intense working relationship of painter Edward Degas and ballerina Marie von Goetham. The story opens on a desperate and dispirited Degas forced into portraiture as a means of making a living. His disdain for "opera rats" turns to fascination when he encounters floundering ballerina Marie von Goetham. Degas becomes so obsessed with Marie that he hires her as a model, and the temperamental pair discovers a common devotion to their respective art forms. Through their relationship, Degas teaches Marie to ignore criticism, dare to make mistakes, and believe in herself. Marie teaches Degas to respect other people and, after he loses his own self-confidence, to live by his own advice--ignore criticism and believe in himself. This wonderful look at two struggling artists is full of beautiful dancing and fascinating glimpses of Degas at work in his studio. While the video is based mostly on conjecture and fantasy, the underlying messages--that artists pour great effort into appearing effortless and the portrayal of self-doubt as an insidious enemy that kills talent--are enduring truths relevant to any artist. (Ages 7 to adult) --Tami Horiuchi
Similar DVD Movies
Georgia O'KeeffeSony; Release date: 2010-04-27; DVD
Best price: $7.11
Price in other shops:
Linnea in Monet's GardenKoch International; Release date: 1999-07-13; DVD
Best price: $7.36
Price in other shops:
Winslow Homer An American OriginalDevine Entertainment; Release date: 2002-05-28; DVD
Best price: $14.22
Price in other shops:
![Monet: Shadow & Light [VHS] Image](/images/Monet-Shadow-Light-VHS-B00004SZZP-X.jpg){kind=small}
Monet: Shadow & Light [VHS]by David Devine, Gordon Masten, Maggie Huculak, Stuart Hughes
Repnet; Release date: 2000-04-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.95
Price in other shops:
![Rembrandt : Fathers and Sons [VHS] Image](/images/Rembrandt-Fathers-and-Sons-VHS-B00004SZZR-X.jpg){kind=small}
Rembrandt : Fathers and Sons [VHS]by Tom McCamus, Paul Hecht, Mitchell David Rothpan, David Devine
Repnet; Release date: 2000-04-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $1.95
Price in other shops:
![Leonardo: A Dream of Flight [VHS] Image](/images/Leonardo-A-Dream-of-Flight-VHS-B00000K0B2-X.jpg){kind=small}
Leonardo: A Dream of Flight [VHS]by Cedric Smith, Tom Melissis, David Felton, Allan King
Repnet; Release date: 1999-07-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.63
Price in other shops:
Rembrandt Fathers & SonsDevine Entertainment; Release date: 2002-05-28; DVD
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
Goya: Awakened in a DreamDevine Entertainment; Release date: 2002-05-28; DVD
Best price: $12.69
Price in other shops:
Monet Shadow & LightDevine Entertainment; Release date: 2002-05-28; DVD
Best price: $19.98
Mary Cassatt: American ImpressionistDevine Entertainment; Release date: 2002-05-28; DVD
Best price: $19.97
Price in other shops: