Ballerina Movies

This performance of the ballet Creole Giselle by the Dance Theater of Harlem was recorded in Arthus, Denmark. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's influential musical tragedy set the stage for the climactic dance ballets that became a staple of the Arthur Freed-MGM musicals (An American in Paris, Singin' in the Rain and The Band Wagon) of the early 1950s. Hans Christian Andersen's tragic fairy tale forms the basis of this film about betrayal, love and art. The story begins as struggling composer Julian Craster (Marius Goring) attends a performance of the Lermontov Ballet Company and recognizes his own score in the production of "Hearts of Fire." Julian protests to ballet company director Boris Lermontov (Anton Walbrook) about the unauthorized use of his music. Impressed by Julian's talent, Boris hires him to compose the score for his next ballet -- a dance version of "The Red Shoes." Boris also hires an attractive young dancer, Victoria Page (Moira Shearer), to perform in the ballet. When the lead ballerina announces that she plans to get married, Boris, in a pique over being abandoned, casts Victoria in the starring role. As Julian works on the score and Victoria struggles to perfect her dance technique, the two fall in love. When "The Red Shoes" ballet is premiered -- seen in a stunning and glorious fifteen-minute sequence -- it is a raging success and it makes Victoria a star. But when Boris learns that Julian and Victoria have fallen in love, Boris, who is secretly in love with Victoria, in a fit of rage forces Julian to leave the ballet company; Victoria leaves with him. Since Boris owns the rights to "The Red Shoes" ballet, he forbids Victoria to perform the dance and she becomes unemployable. Time passes and Julian and Victoria are now happily married. Julian's compositions have made him an international success. One day, with Victoria disembarking from a train in Paris, she meets Boris, who implores her to do one performance of "The Red Shoes" in Monaco. Victoria agrees as Julian cancels an engagement in London to travel to Monte Carlo in order to convince his wife not to perform the ballet. But Victoria goes on with the performance, with tragic results. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

The Australian Ballet Company mounted this loose adaptation of Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker in 1994. In lieu of the traditional narrative associated with that ballet, this version relays the historical tale of a Russian ballerina named Clara (played by three performers - Vicki Attard, Margaret Scott and Siobhan Elsmann) who journeys to Australia in the 1940s. Additional dancers in the company include Steven Heathcote and David McAllister. Graeme Murphy choreographs; the Orchestra Victoria (originally called The State Orchestra of Victoria) lends added musical accompaniment. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

South Korean filmmaker Yun Jae-yeon directs the thriller Yeogo Goedam 3: Yeowoo Gyedan (Wishing Stairs), the third in a series of horrific tales set in all-girl schools (the other two being Whispering Corridors and Memento Mori). The story involves several teenage ballet students at a remote boarding school for fine arts. The staircase leading up to their dormitory has 28 stairs. Supposedly, a certain spirit will grant your wish if the 29th step appears. Wealthy and outgoing Kim So-heui (Park Han-byeol) is best friends with the more reserved Yun Jin-seong (Song Ji-hyo). Right before an important competition, someone puts glass shards into So-heui's ballet shoes and she later dies. After that, many other frightening events start to happen at the school. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

A fun-filled introduction to dance for children aged 4 to 6, this set of three programs offers tap, jazz, and ballet basics that will have the kids up on their feet in no time. Hosted by student helper Rosemary Boross, preschool dancers will learn stretching before moving into detailed, step-by-step tutorials specifically designed to appeal to younger viewers. This set includes Baby Ballet, Tot Tap, and Junior Jazz. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

This feature-length documentary by nonfiction filmmaker Bertrand Normand offers five mini biographical portraits of ballerinas from Russia's famed Mariinsky Theatre: Diana Vichneva, Ulyana Lopatkina, Alina Somova, Evguenya Obraztsova, and Svetlana Zakharova. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Angelina Ballerina questions whether she will be able to perform the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the holiday showcase after eating too many sweets, and comes to a realization about the value of sharing. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Dancing for Dollars: Bolshoi in Vegas documents the disappointing 1996 American tour of the revered ballet troupe. Much of the drama comes from the accusations made against the troupe's leader that he has been making money at the expense of what is best for the group. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

 

Listed as sole director of the British documentary Evening with the Royal Ballet in many sources, Anthony Asquith was actually co-director. Asquith's collaborator on this project was Anthony Havelock-Allen, who also produced the film. Starring Rudolph Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn, highlights of An Evening with the Royal Ballet include selections from "Sleeping Beauty" and "Les Syphildes." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Directed by Donya Feuer, The Dancer is a profile of Swedish ballet dancer Katja Bjorner. The film illuminates the dedication and patience required to participate at the top of the dance world. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi

In 2001, author and artist Maurice Sendak entered into an unusual collaboration with the Pilobolus Dance Company to create A Selection, a contemporary ballet inspired by true stories of the Holocaust. As Sendak and the Pilobolus creative team construct the piece from the ground up, they find themselves clashing over creative issues as they also juggle the weighty issues of how to honestly deal with the issues of the Holocaust within the context of a dance piece without trivializing them in the process. Filmmaker Mirra Bank was on hand to document both the ballet and its creation, and Last Dance offers an intimate look at the creative process in action, as well as the striking ballet they produced. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

A retired dancer (Patrick Swayze) and his two former partners must put aside their differences and resurrect the performance that previously ended their careers in this cinematic labor of love from dancer-turned-director Lisa Neimi and husband Swayze. Following the death of its longtime owner, the renowned New York dance studio of Alex McGrath is about to close its doors for good. Though it's been years since embittered dancer Travis has performed professionally, the prospect of his old haunt falling prey to the wrecking ball is simply too much to take. Reaching out to old dance partners Chrissa (Neimi) and Max (George de la Pena) in a last-ditch effort to save their mentor's studio, the trio decide to stage a performance of the very show that drove them apart nearly a decade ago. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi