Reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

September 7, 2022
8.0
Moira Shearer is just excellent in this fine example of the cinematographer and choreographer's arts - all under the able and inspired direction of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. She is the aspiring ballet dancer "Victoria" who must train under the positively brutal rule of acclaimed tutor "Lermontov" (Anton Walbrook). This maestro, however, expects undiluted devotion and so when this young woman also falls in love - with composer "Craster" (Marius Goring) she finds herself out of favour. Facing the toughest of choices, she chooses love - but even married, she is still torn. When she returns a few years later to visit - her new husband having now completed the eponymous ballet - the imposing "Lermontov" proves he can still pull her strings and she faces an heart-rending choice. P&P have created a masterpiece of rich and colourful cinema. They have turned a relatively simple Hans Christian Anderson story into a maelstrom of love, ambition, power, control - you name it, it features here somewhere. Emotions run high, cruelty runs rife and all under the baton of Brian Easdale who has created his own "Ballet of the Red Shoes" score. Both Walbrook and Goring were underestimated actors, in my view. They had an adaptability that demonstrated a surety of foot as their characters illustrate traits that at best celebrate humanity, at worst denigrate it badly. The dancing is frequently mesmerising with the media of theatre and cinema merged seamlessly to give us a really breathtaking experience. I felt vested in the fate of this young woman, I felt vested in the nasty Lermontov - which would I have chosen? This is a great film, marrying the vivid imagination of a timeless creative source with a visionary and highly entertaining ensemble adaptation. Recently staged by the Sadler's Wells Company of Sir Matthew Bourne, but good as that was - this still knocked spots off it.

Recommendation Movies

7.1
Music
View
7.1
The Tales of Hoffmann
The Tales of Hoffmann1951
6.6
Crime
View
6.6
Force of Evil
Force of Evil1950
5.5
Drama
View
5.5
Laurin
Laurin1989
7.2
Drama
View
7.2
Prison
Prison1949
7.3
Drama
View
7.3
The Set-Up
The Set-Up1949
7
Drama
View
7
Love Affair
Love Affair1939
7.5
Animation
View
7.5
Peter in Magicland
Peter in Magicland1990
6.1
Comedy
View
6.1
Mom Squad
Mom Squad2019
4
Science Fiction
View
4
The Return of Superman
The Return of Superman1979
5.8
Drama
View
5.8
Album
Album2016
6
Romance
View
6
K'na, The Dreamweaver
K'na, The Dreamweaver2014
6
Documentary
View
6
Karl's Perfect Day
Karl's Perfect Day2017
7.5
Drama
View
7.5
Black Narcissus
Black Narcissus1947
6.6
Adventure
View
6.6
Wagon Master
Wagon Master1950
7.3
Thriller
View
7.3
The Narrow Margin
The Narrow Margin1952
7.1
Romance
View
7.1
I Know Where I'm Going!
I Know Where I'm Going!1945
7
Drama
View
7
The Big Combo
The Big Combo1955
7.7
Comedy
View
7.7
Kind Hearts and Coronets
Kind Hearts and Coronets1949
7.6
Comedy
View
7.6
Simon of the Desert
Simon of the Desert1965
7.4
War
View
7.4
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp1943
© 2025 MoovieTime. All rights reserved.Made with Nuxt