from The Archers / Universal
Directed by
Michael Powell
Emeric Pressburger
Starring
Anton Walbrook (Boris Lermontov)
Marius Goring (Julian Craster)
Moira Shearer (Victoria Page)
Robert Helpmann (Ivan Boleslawsky)
Léonide Massine (Grischa Ljubov)
Albert Bassermann (S. Ratov)
Ludmilla Tchérina (Irina Boronskaja)
Esmond Knight (Livingstone 'Livy' Montagne)
Jean Short (Terry Tyler)
Gordon Littmann (Ike Tanner)
Julia Lang (Weirdie - A Balletomane)
Bill Shine (Beardie - Her Companion)
Austin Trevor (Professor Palmer)
Eric Berry (Dimitri)
Irene Browne (Lady Neston)
Jerry Verno (George, the Stagedoor Keeper)
Derek Elphinstone (Lord Oldham)
Madame Rambert (Herself)
Joy Rawlins (Gwladys, Victoria's friend) Marcel Poncin (M. Boudin)
Michel Bazalgette (M. Rideaut)
Yvonne Andre (Victoria's Dresser)
Hay Petrie (Boisson)
Alan Carter (Solo Dancer)
Joan Harris (Solo Dancer)
Joan Sheldon (Dancer)
Paula Dunning (Dancer)
Brian Ashbridge (Dancer)
Denis Carey (Dancer)
Lynne Dorval (Dancer)
Helen Ffrance (Dancer)
Robert Dorning (Dancer)
Eddie Gaillard (Dancer)
Paul Hammond (Dancer)
Tommy Linden (Dancer)
Trisha Linova (Dancer)
Anna Marinova (Dancer)
Guy Massey (Dancer)
John Regan (Dancer)
Peggy Sager (Dancer)
Ruth Sendler (Dancer)
Edmond Audran (Dancer)
George Woodbridge (Doorman)
Written by
Hans Christian Andersen (story)
Michael Powell
Emeric Pressburger |
It's been said that this 1948 classic has been
responsible for the ballet lessons of more young girls than any
other film. It's not hard to understand why: Michael Powell and
Emerich Pressburger's dark fairy tale presents the ballet as
an exquisite, magical work of art; but under the theatrics and
glory is an all-consuming lifestyle with the power to destroy
those who love it perhaps too much. Moira Shearer practically
glows as Victoria "Vicky" Page, a young woman consumed
by a will to dance who is accepted into the highly prestigious
ballet company run by perfectionist Boris Lermontov (Anton Walbrook).
Meanwhile, a gifted young composer, Julian Craster (Marius Goring),
is brought on board as an orchestra coach, and later conductor
and composer of the ballet that will make Vicky's name: The Red
Shoes, one of the most beautiful and dramatic dances ever captured
on film. Professional and personal jealousies soon pull this
creative team apart, however, and Vicky is torn between her love
of Julian, her responsibility to Boris, and her need to dance.
Powell and Pressburger recast Hans Christian Andersen's sad story
as a modern romantic melodrama, highlighted by beautiful dances
and shot, not as stage ballets, but rather as expressionist cinematic
dramas on impossibly grand sets awash with bold color and beautifully
captured in glorious Technicolor by cinematographer Jack Cardiff.
It's a brilliant melding of dance and drama as Vicky's real life
mirror's the tragic story she danced in the Red Shoes ballet.
--Sean Axmaker
The
Red Shoes (DVD)
The
Red Shoes: The Classic Story
by Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
The
Edge of the World: The Making of a Film
by Michael Powell
The
Films of Michael Powell and the Archers
by Scott Salwolke
Million
Dollar Movie
by Michael Powell, Martin Scorsese (Introduction)
Michael
Powell in Collaboration with Emeric Pressburger
by Kevin Gough-Yates
Arrows
of Desire: The Films of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
by Ian Christie
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