Ballets Russes
Jane from Wicklow, 09 Jul 2009
This video is absolutely brilliant! I will never forget seeing Danilova and Freddie Franklin dance the waltz from Gaiete Parisienne. Freddie Franklin is so good. I always used to think male ballet dancers were sissies but now, seeing him do all that perfect lifting and how he says they had to build up a trust in each other, to become one body instead of two people dancing, I realise there is great strength and skill in what male dancers do. It truly takes a lifetime to be as good as these tw
A Rare Medium Well Done!
Kathleen from Kerry, 20 Sep 2007
This documentary details the nearly lost history of the phoenix that rose from the ashes of Diaghalev's death: The Ballets Russes. If you love ballet, this film is a must, for it contains some extremely rare footage of many of the twentieth-centurie's greatest dancers, including the tiny Dame Alicia Markova. This film is also deeply moving on a human level as well as an artistic one, for the reuniting of the dancers of the two Ballets Russes moves one to tears. See it!!!
For those that like ballet
John from Dublin, 16 May 2011
I can't imagine people enjoying this if they don't have an interest in dance or ballet.
It's a history of the company and might serve as an introduction to the likes of Leonide Massine and Balanchine, who had already established themselves beforehand.
It's also a bit of a misnomer because it barely deals with Diagheliv's original company, far more more interesting with the likes of Picasso, Stravinsky and Nijinsky setting standards for everyone to follow later.
Wonderful
Tim from Cork, 08 Apr 2009
A absolute treat. I've never been to the ballet although I would say I'd have an interest in going, but this film is about more than dancing. It's about the people, most them escaping from the russian revolution and finding themselves shooting to stardom at a very young age. There is some astounding archive footage and insightful interviews. Well worth a watch.
Lovely to watch even if you're not a ballet fan
laura from Dublin, 23 Oct 2009
Found this really interesting. Haven't been to ballet before, and had heard of Ballet Russes although I didn't know their story. A few of the characters shown are just adorable, full of energy, very modest and clearly passionate enough to spend their whole lives from childhood devoted to ballet.