The Best of Riverdance
by John McColgan
List Price:
Our Price: $21.99
You Save: $3.00 (12%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $12.22 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Areleen Ni Bhaoill, Brend?n de Galla?, Jean Butler, Mar?a Pag?s, Michael FlatleyDirector: John McColgan
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 113 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-06-07
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Kultur Video
Movie Reviews of The Best of Riverdance
Movie Review: Too much changing scenes
Summary: 3 Stars
It became distracting to bounce from one concert to the next (during the same dance number)
Summary of The Best of Riverdance
The DVD debut of Michael Flatley's performance in Riverdance (or at least part of it) is one of the highlights of The Best of Riverdance, a generous survey of the Irish hard-shoe sensation that has riveted live audiences and PBS viewers for a decade. Beginning with the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest performance that led to the full-length stage show, the program compiles a number of highlights from the show's history, taken mostly from three sources. There's the original 1995 televised show starring the flamboyant, record-setting tapper Flatley and his partner, Jean Butler. There's the 1997 New York City concert, with Colin Dunne opposite Butler. And finally there's the 2003 performance from Geneva headlined by Brend?n de Galla? and Joanne Doyle. Because elements of the show and numerous performers have changed over the years, each performance has its own character, and The Best of Riverdance even takes the unusual step of blending segments of various shows into a single number. For example, "Riverdance" switches back and forth among the three shows and the three sets of leads. "Lift the Wings" begins with two verses of the solo voice of ?ine U? Cheallaigh, then segues into segments from the ensemble-sung version from New York and Geneva. Because the solo rendition was one of the biggest losses of later generations of the show, it's nice to have at least part of it on DVD. Likewise, because Flatley's complete Riverdance performance is not yet available on DVD, fans will be glad to have at least a few numbers here. Other later-generation numbers included are "American Wake" and "Trading Taps," and the DVD menu screens very clear note which performer or combination of performers is performing.Brand new in this nearly two-hour program are occasional introductions by Jean Butler, which help explain some of the ambiguous stage action. Bonus features are a new one-hour documentary about the history of the show, 16 minutes of high-speed backstage footage, and an eight-minute performance from the 2003 Special Olympics. Some viewers may find the introductions or the performance switches jarring to the flow, and The Best of Riverdance is surely not a substitute for the complete performances of the show, but it is a nice compilation, and offers some footage that you can't see anywhere else. --David Horiuchi
Includes 18 of the all-time best performances of Riverdance from its extraordinary beginnings at the Point Theatre, Dublin, with original stars Michael Flatley and Jean Butler, through its phenomenal success in Radio City Music Hall, New York to its latest live recording in Geneva. Riverdance boasts an international cast featuring the remarkable Riverdance Irish Dance Troupe, the cream of Irish musicians in the Riverdance Band and a spectacular array of talent from Spain, Russia and America, performing to the magic of Bill Whelan's music. More electrifying than ever, this DVD is a treasure for Riverdance fans worldwide! SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE: RIVERDANCE- The Ten Years. An all New 65 Minute Documentary, celebrating the Riverdance phenomenon over the first 10 years. Featuring all the passion, power and intrigue of the show backstage. Introduced by Gabriel Byrne. RIVERDANCE - Behind the Scenes: Never seen before footage of the Riverdance backstage crew in action. RIVERDANCE- Performance at the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Musicals & Performing Arts DVD Video
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Movies most talked about in Favorite Dance DVD's
Ballets RussesRelease date: 2006-09-12; DVD
Best price: $17.44
Price in other shops:
Dancing Like the ProsRelease date: 2007-09-25; DVD
Best price: $10.88
Price in other shops:
Disney Princess Sing Along Songs, Vol. 2 - Enchanted Tea PartyDISNEY PRINCESSES; Release date: 2005-09-06; DVD
Best price: $4.99
Price in other shops:
1941 (Collector's Edition)Release date: 1999-03-23; DVD
Best price: $3.98
Price in other shops:
Prevention Fitness Systems - Dance Yourself ThinGAIAM AMERICAS; Release date: 2006-09-05; DVD
Best price: $3.80
Price in other shops:
Learn to Salsa Dance Video Series, Vol 1: Salsa Dancing Guide for BeginnersRelease date: 2004-03-29; DVD
Best price: $25.36
Price in other shops:
Ballet Class for BeginnersRelease date: 2004-08-31; DVD
Best price: $7.80
Price in other shops:
Astaire & Rogers Collection, Vol. 1 (Top Hat / Swing Time / Follow the Fleet / Shall We Dance / The Barkleys of Broadway)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2005-08-16; DVD
Best price: $29.49
Price in other shops:
Astaire & Rogers Ultimate Collector's Edition (Flying Down to Rio / The Gay Divorcee / Roberta / Top Hat / Follow the Fleet / Swing Time / Shall We Dance / Carefree / The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle / The Barkleys of Broadway)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2006-10-24; DVD
Best price: $50.49
Price in other shops:
Ballroom 10 Dance Collection Series 1Release date: 2002-05-30; DVD
Price in other shops:
Similar DVD Movies
Riverdance - Live from Radio City Music Hall (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-02-19; DVD
Best price: $25.79
Price in other shops:
Riverdance: Music From The ShowRelease date: 1997-06-17; Music CD
Best price: $11.16
Price in other shops:
Michael Flatley - Feet of FlamesRelease date: 2001-10-30; DVD
Best price: $7.07
Price in other shops:
Riverdance - Live From New York CityRelease date: 1998-10-21; DVD
Best price: $134.95
Jean Butler's Irish Dance Master ClassRelease date: 2005-06-07; DVD
Best price: $10.52
Price in other shops:
Celtic WomanCELTIC WOMAN; Release date: 2005-03-01; DVD
Best price: $11.08
Price in other shops:
The Celtic Tiger Starring Michael FlatleyRelease date: 2005-12-13; DVD
Best price: $12.97
Price in other shops:
Celtic Woman - A New Journey: Live at Slane Castle, IrelandCELTIC WOMAN; Release date: 2007-01-30; DVD
Best price: $8.95
Price in other shops:
Michael Flatley - Lord of the DanceRelease date: 1999-11-23; DVD
Best price: $5.95
Price in other shops:
The Michael Flatley Collection (Lord of the Dance/ Feet of Flames/ Michael Flatley Gold)Release date: 2004-06-01; DVD
Best price: $11.17
Price in other shops: