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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
95 of 97 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Meticulously compiled and presented, this documentary shows the history of Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo, founded by Blum and Colonel de Basil in 1932 after the death of Diaghilev in 1929. It depicts its initial success, a break-up of the company into two separate entities (Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and Original Ballet Russe), their escape to the US after the outbreak of the World War II, their major success there and their eventual demise.
It is a fascinating documentay about the legendary ballet company, and is full of interesting anecdotes about various personalities including Diaghilev, Massine, Fokine and Balanchine. It has many interviews with former leading dancers, including Alicia Markova, Nathalie Krassovska, Irina Baronova (one of the "baby ballerinas"), Frederic Franklin and George Zoritch, interspersed with many photos and archive film clips. Furthermore, there are generous extras, including a photo gallery and archive materials. Those interested in ballet history will find it totally absorbing.
In one of the interviews, Alicia Markova says "We weren't paid (by Ballets Russes)..... But, think how (artistically) rich I am, working with those choreographers!" I think this says it all about great dancers.
What strikes the viewer is that all the former dancers interviewed have such a marvellous personality and are full of wit and humour. Some of them are still teaching dance students around the world, passing their art to the younger generation. Sadly a few of them have passed away since the film was produced.
Just one point about the title - I was expecting to see a documentary about Ballets Russes of Diaghilev as well as Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo. I don't think the title is accurate enough: it should have been "Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo" in order to describe the contents more precisely.
It is a fascinating documentay about the legendary ballet company, and is full of interesting anecdotes about various personalities including Diaghilev, Massine, Fokine and Balanchine. It has many interviews with former leading dancers, including Alicia Markova, Nathalie Krassovska, Irina Baronova (one of the "baby ballerinas"), Frederic Franklin and George Zoritch, interspersed with many photos and archive film clips. Furthermore, there are generous extras, including a photo gallery and archive materials. Those interested in ballet history will find it totally absorbing.
In one of the interviews, Alicia Markova says "We weren't paid (by Ballets Russes)..... But, think how (artistically) rich I am, working with those choreographers!" I think this says it all about great dancers.
What strikes the viewer is that all the former dancers interviewed have such a marvellous personality and are full of wit and humour. Some of them are still teaching dance students around the world, passing their art to the younger generation. Sadly a few of them have passed away since the film was produced.
Just one point about the title - I was expecting to see a documentary about Ballets Russes of Diaghilev as well as Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo. I don't think the title is accurate enough: it should have been "Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo" in order to describe the contents more precisely.
50 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
For anyone who loves ballet, and ballet history, and for anyone who needs to learn how to grow old gracefully, this documentary offers pleasures indeed.
Not only does one get all the gossip and history of the different dancers making their way after Diaghilev's Ballets Russes disbanded into differengt groups, but one feels one has spent a couple of hours in the company of the most charming and inspiring people imaginable..... it is a film I could watch every night. Sheer magic!
Not only does one get all the gossip and history of the different dancers making their way after Diaghilev's Ballets Russes disbanded into differengt groups, but one feels one has spent a couple of hours in the company of the most charming and inspiring people imaginable..... it is a film I could watch every night. Sheer magic!
44 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Ah what beauty, what humanility! It is a masterclass in ageing gracefully. Though I am an immense fan of ballet and dance of all kinds, and am a keen dance student, that is not to say that this product would only appeal to people like myself. The amazing stories and characters around this legendary ballet company is set with the backdrop of the changing climates, and some of the greatest, most dramatic events of the 20th Century! Through the 2 world wars, the fall of imperial Russia and the mass exodus of the Russian refugees. Mothers' hopes for their children by sending them to what ballet studios they could find in foreign lands, bickering of the management, choreographers, dancers, as well as the enormous and blinding talent of the choreographers, the beauty and grace of these dancers, with personalities that cannot be contained by TV screen, even the film screen. The outright humanity of these people who appear to be ethereal creatures on stage and on screen, who, after all these years, still eloquent, still haughty and well aware of their talent and their place in cultural history. Most of all still passionate about their art. All these, and there is the dance, the music goes on, and they leap and jump and twirl and pirouette and fouette their way into legend.
The feature opens with 2 quotes, a wonderful long quote from Dame Alicia Markova, "suddenly, I can see everything...", and "it is the nature of dance to exist but for a moment." This treasure trove of archival footages ensure that they'll never age, never die, and will be young, healthy and forever doing what they love best.
The feature opens with 2 quotes, a wonderful long quote from Dame Alicia Markova, "suddenly, I can see everything...", and "it is the nature of dance to exist but for a moment." This treasure trove of archival footages ensure that they'll never age, never die, and will be young, healthy and forever doing what they love best.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Wonderful Film
I saw this film in a cinema and loved it so much I bought the DVD and have also bought it for friends
a delight and inspiration
a delight and inspiration
Published 10 months ago by S. Levinson
fascinating and poignant
This is a fascinating documentary. Sadly the original original Ballet Russe existed before film was readily available, but the DVD provides some great stills from this period as... Read more
Published 12 months ago by D. Byer-Greenslade
Russes - such talent
What a truly captivating video this is - of a lost world of talent, hard work and fun. Lovely to watch the ability of those so young and then to see how nicely these dancers had... Read more
Published 14 months ago by jayvee
Ballets Russes
There is not much to say about this production except IT IS ABSOLUTELY, TOTALLY, BRILLIANT!!!
These 'old birds' are a real treat to listen to. Read more
These 'old birds' are a real treat to listen to. Read more
Published 15 months ago by M. DONALD
background for ballet
This is very fascinating with the history of ballet and lots of ancient clips of past dancers, how ballet almost died but was resussitated, with commentaries by the three main girl... Read more
Published 15 months ago by M. Compton Sally
One for your collection of ballet history DVDs
This is definitely not a DVD about any particular ballet performed by the Ballet Russes company; but concentrates instead on the history of dancers, choreographers and managers,... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Sansespoir
wonderful window onto the past
A wonderful window on the traditions and characters of the Ballets Russes.I found it particularly nostalgic as I played for Krassovska when she was teaching here in Scotland on... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mr. F. R. S. Glass
Ballets Russes
Bought for an 87 year old lady who is frilled to bits with it Thanks
Published on 5 Jan 2010 by Mrs. P. J. Fagan
Divine
I bought this as a gift for a friend, as I had the DVD as soon as it appeared. It is the most delightful evocation of the years of Les Ballets Russes with contributions from many... Read more
Published on 20 Jun 2009 by M. D. Barber
Psyched!
I WAS (I stress the 'was') not a big fan of ballet. My interest increased enormously as a result of seeing this dvd. Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2007 by David Fallon
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