Isadora - Digitally Remastered 2 Disc Collector's Edition [DVD]

The legend of Isadora Duncan seems to be gradually fading with time. But when this film was made in the 1960s, she was still very much a bright memory and her free-spirited approach to both life and her art struck a definite chord with the Love Generation. Seen today, it's still a fascinating glimpse into what was undoubtedly an eccentric and frustrating yet brilliant character.

The film is always beautiful to look at - the style seems to suggest that there were many similarities between the Twenties and the Sixties. I don't know about that, but the film has a splendid period feel. The gorgeous Croatian resort of Opatija was an inspired choice to represent the French Riviera of the Twenties. A lot of attention has been paid to all the detail. Too bad, therefore, that Maurice Jarre's music seems to reflect neither the era nor the character of Isadora - at least Bye Bye Blackbird provides an appropriate background.

Director Karel Reisz deserves much praise for making the enigmatic character of Isadora as accessible as he does. The script tries hard to illuminate her by concentrating on key events in her life rather than making a conventional biopic for this very unconventional person. But it constantly and somewhat needlessly jumps back and forth in time which is occasionally confusing. The concentration on Isadora is so absolute that the other people in her life come and go with barely a word of introduction or explanation. And in a film that concentrates as much on Isadora's love life as her dancing, her bisexuality is curiously ignored. Our view of Isadora is more impression than insight.

Even so, Vanessa Redgrave treats us to a remarkable performance - making Isadora as credible as she was outrageous. She is also surprisingly good in the dance sequences, some of which are quite stunningly staged. Redgrave's American accent may wander a bit, but she holds nothing back in baring Isadora's soul to us. It is a powerful performance.

All the other actors are truly just supporting. Cast against type, James Fox has a great time as the extravagent designer Gordon Craig. Jason Robards, by contrast, is permanently morose as millionaire Paris Singer. As the Rusiian poet who eventually marries Isadora, Ivan Tchenko is full of fire and vodka. Special mention should be made of John Fraser who plays Isadora's long-suffering secretary Roger. Fraser was a wonderful actor in some significant films in the Sixties (El Cid, Repulsion, Tunes of Glory) yet stardom somehow eluded him. He gives the second best performance in Isadora - an expertly judged mixture of devotion and exasperation.

But the film really belongs to Vanessa Redgrave and Karel Reisz. Together, they create many memorable moment. The best of these is when Isadora is dancing for an audience of Russians just after the Revolution. Suddenly, a power failure puts the lights out. Isadora is given a lantern and someone starts to sing. Soon everyone is singing and dancing an impormptu and emotional version of Kalinka. The scene captures Isadora's love of dance, the Russian soul, the universal appeal of art, and everything that is good about film. We are both touched and thrilled. It is too much to expect the film to be that good all the way through. But it's wonderful to see Isadora getting the remastered DVD release it so richly deserves.

Extra - One of the extras on the second disc is a film of Kenneth Macmillan's controversial ballet Isadora performed by the Royal Ballet. I assume this is the version broadcast on ITV in 1982. The Royal Ballet recently revived this ballet in a drastically shortened version but the full ballet has not been seen in many years (I saw it in 1983). It's an equally fascinating portrayal of Isadora and her life although it received quite mixed reviews. Its inclusion here is, for me at any rate, worth the price of the DVD.

As other reviewers have pointed out, this was an opportunity to do a definitive edition of this practically forgotten gem -- the running time on this print is 134 minutes which is the shortened version of the premiere cut which was 168 minutes. This is actually the print that was retitled in ads as THE LOVES OF ISADORA. Why not find that original release print for DVD release ?? The editing on this version totally dilutes the power of Redgrave's iconic performance and the flow of Melvyn Bragg's screenplay.
The only previous release of ISADORA was on VHS - 153 min. - " a special director's cut" - this version was a revelation to us who had never seen the original cut -- continuity is much better in this version because Reisz was in charge - not so with this abbreviated cut.
It is great to have an official widescreen print finally on DVD so I recommend it . But what a wasted chance -- no interviews with any of the surviving principals - Redgrave, James Fox, John Fraser, Melvyn Bragg, etc. - no making of documentary -- no vintage material on the film - just on Isadora Duncan-
As much as I love Hepburn in LION IN WINTER + like Streisand in FUNNY GIRL(the only tie ever for this award) , Vanessa Redgrave deserved the Oscar for best Actress in 1969.

I think this double disc dvd should also be listed under ballet because I only found by accident the superb macmillan ballet isadora.