Spartacus
by Ross MacGibbon
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alexander Volchkov, Carlos Acosta, Maria Allash, Nina KaptsovaDirector: Ross MacGibbon
Brand: Universal Studios
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); German (Original Language)
Format: AC-3, Classical, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 133 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-10-28
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Decca
Movie Reviews of Spartacus
Movie Review: Remarkable Performance by Carlos Acosta and the Bolshoi
Summary: 5 Stars
Carlos Acosta IS Spartacus. The identification of role and dancer is absolute and all encompassing. There is passion, power, subtlety, conviction unmatched elsewhere. A big dancer in dances that demand big ample movement, Mr. Acosta's every pore, every muscle convey the character's deep emotions and committment to great, sweeping ideals. The technique is phenomenal. Ironically, what one remembers as most riveting is the eyes. There lives Spartacus, fighter, hero and very much a lover. Given the arduous role, Russian ballet has cast it always from strength, even if in subtly different interpretations: Vassiliev and Mukhamedov come to mind. Carlos Acosta, Cuban born and trained, at the summit of his breathtaking powers, a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, achieves greatness guesting with the Bolshoi at the Palais Garnier in Paris; never have dancer and part seemed so intimately matched in this ballet. This dvd is worth acquiring for this performance alone if for nothing else.
The other roles are also well danced. Crassus, at one time memorably performed by a haughty Maris Liepa, is here also outstandingly danced by Alexander Volchkov, but with a different slant, more venal, corrupt, sensual, than fascist. Nina Kaptsova is superb: a lyrical, eloquent, vulnerable Phrygia. Maria Allash is a delicious Aegina, a knowing courtesan and virtuoso secure in her powers to seduce and dance. Alexei Ratmansky's Bolshoi shines. The company is young and vibrant, as we already knew from Shostakovich - Bolt.
Spartacus seems less heavy-handed than it did in Soviet days. It does not carry the propaganda baggage one could choose to read (or ignore) at that time. Other things one associates with this work remain as they have always been. The Aram Khachaturian music, in the main, still sounds mostly loud, uninteresting and banal, indeed, for me, awful. The Grigorovich choreography is also a mixed bag. Quite emotive and free-flowing at times, yet also at times uninspired and clumsy: when unable to develop a choreographic paragraph from a phrase (steps), his only solution seems to be to repeat the steps which usually are quite ordinary. In other words, when inspiration falters, just do more of the same. These shortcomings have been present in this Bolshoi staple since the Grigorovich version was first produced. To some, they could easily render Spartacus unwatchable (yet to many it is a wonderful, stirring piece!). In this case, however, they are not so much overcome as overwhelmed by the eloquence, power, and brilliance of Carlos Acosta's performance.
The 2 dvd set, a live performance at the Palais Garnier, Paris, on 22 January 2008, contains a series of interviews with dancers, Grigorovich, Ratmansky, et al., as well as an extended, illuminating conversation with Carlos Acosta. The reproduction and sound are excellent.
Summary of Spartacus
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