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Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake [VHS] [1996]
 
 
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Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake [VHS] [1996]

VHS ~ Adam Cooper
4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

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3 new from £8.49 12 used from £2.88 2 collectible from £5.92

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
This Swan Lake was the unexpected popular hit of 1996, when radical choreographer Matthew Bourne took Tchaikovsky's traditional ballet by the scruff of the neck and reworked it with a myriad of modern influences and themes to astonishing effect. Seldom have the dark psychological riptides at the heart of so many classical ballets been so brilliantly exposed. The Prince (Scott Ambler) is a wretched and dissolute young man dominated by his mother, the Joan Collins-like Queen (Fiona Ambler). Shades of Tennessee Williams, indeed. Von Rothbart becomes a press secretary, more sinister éminence grise than hissable villain. Most startling of all, The Swan (Adam Cooper) is a muscular, emphatically masculine male.

Bourne has stressed the universality of his interpretation, which proved such a success for his Adventures in Motion Pictures dance company. And indeed this is never an overtly "gay" Swan Lake, although the electricity of the pas de deux at the height of Act 2 delivers a palpably homoerotic charge. Its universal threads--as Bourne suggests, the need to be held and understood is common to us all--are synthesised in the utterly moving conclusion as the Swan cradles the lifeless Prince and raises him to a better place. Swan Lake becomes a human, rather than simply romantic, tragedy.

On the DVD: Swan Lake is presented in full screen 4:3 video format and this version would certainly have benefited from widescreen to show off the dazzling court and night club scenes as well as the lake and the impact of the all-male swan corps de ballet. But the lush Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound serves the rich interpretation of Tchaikovsky's score from The New London Orchestra to handkerchief-wringing effect. Extras include menu-driven resumes and a synopsis. --Piers Ford

Synopsis
Dance company Adventures In Motion Pictures presents an alternate version of the Tchaikovsky ballet Swan Lake, with a male majority in the Corps De Ballet. Filmed at The Royalty Theatre in London in April 1996.

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
5 star:
 (9)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerising dance/drama with a tragic story., 7 Mar 2002
By m mowbray (Essex, England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake [DVD] [1996] (DVD)
This is a triumph of dance and drama. The whole thing has me mesmerised each time I watch it. It has humour and evokes feelings of sadness and sympathy for the characters. Adam Cooper is superb as the swan and his dance is breath taking, representing perfectly the power and beauty of this wonderful bird. His performance as the evil doppleganger is equally as impressive, as he dirty dances his way into the queens affections. It is always Adam Cooper who is highlighted in these reviews, however Scott Ambler as the prince should not be forgotton. He mixes drama with dance perfectly and without his performance as the weak, shy, loveless prince who simply wants love and affection this production would be nothing. This is a wonderful production that stays with you long after you have finished watching it.
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars If you haven't seen it - DO SO!, 5 Aug 2005
This review is from: Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake [DVD] [1996] (DVD)
Nothing anyone else will say about it is going to prepare you for this amazing ballet. I just wish I had seen it live! Having the DVD is some consolation, though. No ballet I have ever seen comes close to the emotional intensity this performance evokes: it makes me laugh and it makes me cry (and sometimes both at the same time). Adam Cooper is unparalleled in portraying the subject of a love-starved boy's fantasy; at once ethreal and earthly, at times soaring so high you find yourself holding your breath and at times earth-bound and accessible. His sexy alter-ego is no less compelling to the prince (or the viewer). He simply takes your breath away. It is, without a doubt, one of comtemporary dance's greatest triumphs - a truly inspiring piece.
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35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate 'Swan Lake', 15 Sep 2002
By Miss E K Hatton (Mansfield, Notts United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake [DVD] [1996] (DVD)
If you ever thought Swan Lake was 'pretty to watch' but, ultimately incomprehensible, if you wanted a bigger kick than either Nureyev or Fonteyn could offer, if you'dont like' ballet then this is for YOU. If [you]have empathy with the tragedy of Love, Prejudice and Duty displacing Truth then this is a DVD you a <B>must buy</B>. Mathew Bourne and his company have created the ultimate interpretation of Tchaikovsky's heart rending score. If you sometimes fear to listen to the music in company or daren't play 'The Pathetique' unless alone, this is for you. Brilliant cinematography, capturing the ambience of the live performance almost perfectly, there is nothing in the canon of contemporary interpretations which comes close to this.
'Kaich'
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb interpretation - Miss it at your peril
A truly wonderful interpretation of the timeless classic. Every bit as stunning as seeing it live. Probably not one for the children, so if you are looking for that seek out a... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Arts Enthusiast

1.0 out of 5 stars This is no traditional Swan Lake! Not for the children!
Oh what a fool I was - I chose this one to watch with my children and my mother prior to taking them to Swan Lake performed by the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Read more
Published 15 months ago by D. Bussel

5.0 out of 5 stars A great ballet In a brilliant new light
Hold on to your lids, kids, a traditional Swan Lake this is not. Matthew Bourne, probably Britain's greatest contemporary choreographer, has reset the old and great ballet into a... Read more
Published on 4 Jun 2007 by C. O. DeRiemer

4.0 out of 5 stars Great show!
I watched a live performance of this Swan Lake last month and left the theater with mixed emotions. I was exhilarated by the whole concept, but somewhat disappointed with the... Read more
Published on 24 Mar 2007 by Georgios Xenias

3.0 out of 5 stars Frustrated by the DVD Production
I loved the live show. It is an interesting and unique interpretation of a great classic. I very much respect Matthew Bourne's work. The "swan" choreography is great. Read more
Published on 13 Sep 2006 by Dancing Kiwi

3.0 out of 5 stars P.C. dross
Swan Lake is such a beautiful and emotional ballet. So what on earth makes the P.C. brigade rate this as surpassing the great Nureyev and Fonteyn! Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2006

5.0 out of 5 stars Swan Lake directed by Matthew Bourne
Matthew Bourne has brought one of ballets classics up to date with his fabulously modern and entertaining version of Swan Lake. Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2003 by jglennon9

5.0 out of 5 stars Unconventional - but wonderful!
For people unfamiliar with the names of the choreographer and dance company, this is the unconventional (some would say "notorious") staging with all male swans. Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2001 by cmoorcroft@cs.com

5.0 out of 5 stars must be seen by everyone, dance lover or not
This fabulous Ballet is a new take on the traditional swan lake. The modern storyline and set make it easy going on those not to dance minded, and the fantastic choreography... Read more
Published on 6 April 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding piece of coptempery work
this new adaptaion of the clasical Swan Lake is an amazing piece of conpempery dance.The beauatiful movements of Bourns choreograph and the origonal score combine to create a... Read more
Published on 3 April 2000 by bucky_ohair@hotmail.com

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