Cinderella Ballet

Starring:Berlin Comic Opera Ballet
Studio: View Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
Berlin Comic Opera Ballet
Music By Sergei Prokofiev
Staged and Choreographed by Tom Schilling
Orchestra Conducted by Siegfried Kratzer

Ballet in 3 Acts
Premiere: Sadler's Wells Ballet, Covent Garden- Dec. 1948
US Premiere: Sadler's Wells Ballet, Metropolitan Opera- Oct. 1949

The well known fairy tale of Cinderella, based on the story of 17th century poet, Charles Perrault, has been a ballet for over 150 years. Its enormous success, however, came only after Sir Frederick Ashton, inspired by the wistful and imaginative Prokofiev score (written 1945), created Britain's first full-length ballet. Together with Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, the Cinderella Ballet has now become part of dance heritage. The world-acclaimed Berlin Comic Opera Ballet has a history spanning 230 years. Adapting classical Russian technique, they have always felt a responsibility to make ballet accessible to the young, staging special performances with new choreographers and fresh repertory as an introduction to the art of dance.

In this filmed version, the beautiful Hannelore Bey dances the role of Cinderella with tenderness, dignity and alluring grace. Roland Gawlick creates an outstanding Prince. Splendid décor and costumes enhance the ballet's inventiveness, farce and fluidity. Highlights include the ballroom pas de deux for Cinderella and her Prince, and the comic roles of her stepsisters and stepmother.

Amazon.com

If you only know Lucille Ball from her phenomenal success as a TV comedienne, Dance, Girl, Dance will be a surprising revelation. Not only can Lucy dance and sing with the best of them (after all, she spent part of the 1930s playing a glamorous showgirl in various Goldwyn musicals), but she handily steals the spotlight from Maureen O'Hara in this good-looking RKO production from 1940. Lucy's big break had come only three years earlier (in Stage Door), but she'd been working in Hollywood for seven years when this enjoyable movie demonstrated the potential for movie stardom that Lucy deserved but never fully achieved. She's a bit brassy and a bit sassy, but she's got a heart of gold as Bubbles, a struggling ballet dancer who takes a skin-baring job in a burlesque club (under the man-teasing stage name of "Tiger Lily White") to boost her chances of show-biz success. She's a saucy gold-digger compared to the modestly forthright Judy (O'Hara), but their friendship sees them through as they share a dangerous dalliance with a millionaire playboy (Louis Hayward) before Judy discovers true love with Steve (Ralph Bellamy) the gentlemanly leader of a ballet company.

It's not a classic by any means, but Dance, Girl, Dance is still briskly entertaining, and there's a touch of surprising melodrama involving O'Hara's ballet mentor (played by Maria Ouspenskaya). This movie also has the greater distinction of being directed by Dorothy Arzner, one of the only women (along with Ida Lupino) to break into the male-dominated profession of directing in golden-age Hollywood. Working from a savvy screenplay by Tess Slesinger and Frank Davis, Arzner gives Dance, Girl, Dance a feminist sensibility that was ahead of its time, later embraced by fans and critics as one of this movie's most enduring qualities. Also included in The Lucille Ball Film Collection, this DVD includes two short subjects from 1940: The 20-minute Vitaphone "two-reeler" "Just a Cute Kid," from a story by Damon Runyon and featuring comedy star Frank Faylen, and "Malibu Beach Party," a pun-filled Merrie Melodies cartoon hosted by "Jack Bunny" and featuring a variety of sun-tanned cameos from animated Hollywood stars. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

BALL SHINES IN SHOWY ROLE............2007-06-20

Fine drama directed by a gay woman---Dorothy Arzner---examines women's roles in society and how men perceive them and what it means to follow your dream. Maureen O'Hara is lustrous as Judy, a struggling dancer in a knock about all girl dance troup who longs to dance in ballet. Also in the troop is Bubbles (Lucille Ball) who just longs for the Big Time and any road will do to get there. While Judy is sweet, sincere and wants to use her talent for success, Bubbles is raw and vulgar and uses sex to get what she wants. When Bubbles (now Tiger Lily White) lands in burlesque she gets Judy a job to dance ballet in come-on spots between her strip acts knowing Judy is just her "stooge". Judy reluctantly agrees to suffer for her art. Complicating things are a wealthy married playboy (Louis Hayward) and a ballet entrepeneur (Ralph Bellamy) who sees a star in Judy. O'Hara is lovely and has a great scene telling off the rowdy burlesque audience. And Ball as Bubbles/Tiger Lily is wonderful playing a bad girl with "pay me" on her forehead. This film is a keeper and offers a great b&w DVD print. And it's interesting to note the feminist angles, unusual for the time. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Better than you'd expect...
Barbie in the Nutcracker
Just ok.
A very nice movie
Surprisingly good

Barbie in The Nutcracker
Starring: Kelly Sheridan , Kirby Morrow , Tim Curry , Peter Kelamis , and Christopher Gaze
Director: Owen Hurley
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Barbie as Rapunzel
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Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses

ASIN: B00005M2BW
Release Date: 2001-10-23

Amazon.com

Look who became a star. Barbie comes to life in this computer-animated Christmas tale that quite naturally takes the longtime favorite doll into a new realm. The plot is a slight variation on the traditional ballet based on Tchaikovsky's music. Instead of being in an open-ended dream, Barbie and her escort, the Nutcracker (soon to be Ken, natch), are on an adventurous quest. Along the way there are more creatures and derring-do than in the original. The sole known voice talent, Tim Curry, has a good old time as the Mouse King, and the animated dancing is gracefully adapted from New York City Ballet choreography. A few clever characters, bright animation, and wonderful music should entrance any Barbie fans ages 3 to 9. The 78-minute feature debuted on video shortly before playing on CBS in 2001. --Doug Thomas

Description

This modern adaptation of the holiday classic casts Barbie in two roles, Clara and the Sugarplum Princess, as she embarks on a musical fantasy adventure for girls of all ages. New York City Ballet's Peter Martins choreographed this wonderful animated film, with music by The London Symphony Orchestra, and featuring the voice of Tim Curry as the Mouse King.

Customer Reviews:

Better than you'd expect..........2007-03-11

We bought this to replace our original which mysteriously (ok, not so mysteriously) was scratched and skipping. The first of the Barbie movies, Nutcracker offers the London Symphony Orchestra playing and computer animated ballerinas dancing to actual pieces from Tchaikovsky's work. The Barbie movie trademark is twisting stories so that Barbie (heroine) uses honor, determination and quick wit to save the day. I think it is a good way to introduce kids to a classical piece. Tim Curry is great comic relief as the Mouse King. My now 5 year old son will watch it with my daughter (though he'd never admit it!)

Barbie in the Nutcracker.......2007-01-25

The graphics and storyline are beautiful, however, for young children (mine are 3 and 7) the graphics are a little too intense for such young children. Especially at the beginning where the Nutcracker does battle with the Mouse King - the Mouse King is really frightening to young children. There are several scenes later that show children in peril that didn't go over to well my own. I bought several copies and gave some to friends with children for Christmas and then felt the need to call and warn them when I had viewed it myself. (They agreed after viewing also...)I would say that a good age to start off with this is at least 2nd or 3rd grade school aged children. Any younger and you might have a crying or nightmare problem.

Just ok........2007-01-09

My daughter got Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses for her birthday and LOVES it. So, knowing how much she likes that one, Santa brought her Barbie in the Nutcracker but she wasn't very impressed. There isn't much dancing which is what we wanted and expected. It is cute but not as cute as we hoped... this won't be one she watches over and over like the 12 Dancing Princesses.

A very nice movie.......2007-01-08

This is a nice movie,

GREAT MUSIC

GOOD STORY

EXCELLENT VOICE KELLY SHERIDAN

GREAT BALLET

P.S IF I COULD GIVE THIS MOVIE FOUR AND A HALF STARS I WOULD

P.P.S SOME OTHER GRET BARBIE MOVIES ARE:

SWAN LAKE 4 STARS
RAPUNZEL 5 STARS
THE PRINCESS AND THE PAUPER 5 STARS
THE 12 DANCING PRINCESSES 100 STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Surprisingly good.......2007-01-06

I was so surprised that this was a good as it was. Once you get past the strange animation, the story was positive and actually entertaining for adults (that have to watch it) and kids.

There have been so many different versions of the Nutcracker out there, but I really like the way that adapted the story for this.

Prokofiev - Cinderella / Sibley, Dowell, Royal Ballet

Average customer rating:

yawn.....
Rare performance....
A Funny, Romantic Ballet With A Great Score
Finally a director that does not use inapropriate close-ups
Not my favorite Cinderella, but some good dancing

Prokofiev - Cinderella / Sibley, Dowell, Royal Ballet
Starring: Antoinette Sibley , Anthony Dowell , Frederick Ashton , Robert Helpmann , and Leslie Edwards
Director: John Vernon (II)
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / Makarova, Dowell, Royal Ballet Covent Garden
Don Quixote / Baryshnikov, Harvey, American Ballet Theatre

ASIN: B00005K9PM
Release Date: 2001-05-29

Amazon.com

Cinderella may be Sergei Prokofiev's most accessible ballet, both musically and visually, and in the hands of a master choreographer, it can be a thrilling experience. And so it is with this 1969 Royal Ballet performance, with then-resident genius Frederick Ashton pulling out all the stops in a staging guaranteed to please fans and win new converts. Ashton's particular ability to couch his innovative moves within a conventional framework is in evidence here.

The back cover calls this "an acclaimed historic performance," and historic it certainly is. Several Royal Ballet dancers are shown in top form, including Ashton (as one of our heroine's ugly stepsisters!), Anthony Dowell as the prince, and the wonderful Antoinette Sibley as Cinderella. The production itself is filled with colorful sets and vivid costumes, and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House plays Prokofiev's enchanting music under the steady baton of John Lanchberry. The video itself is simply rendered, and the unspectacular sound does the job. --Kevin Filipski

Customer Reviews:

yawn............2007-05-08

I've got to say that my daughter and I were both excited for this to arrive in the mail. When it did, neither of us could sit through it. The dancing is alternately made up of the uninspired, the farcical and the same-old. Even the score is insipid. Sorry Prokofiev, but you've done better! If you aren't looking for Cinderella specifically, skip it, there are more interesting ways to spend your time. If you are, pull out old Brother's Grimm--at least that one has grotesque going for it.

Rare performance...........2007-01-10

It's a pleasure to view this rare performance....the step-sisters at their best. I am not a fan of the music, but the choreography and the dancing is wonderful.

A Funny, Romantic Ballet With A Great Score.......2005-05-09

This filmed version of the Royal Ballet's 1969 Cinderella is a knock out, provided you're willing to accept it on its own terms. The DVD is a filmed record of the ballet's theatrical presentation. The camera takes in the stage in full shots, with medium and close-ups at times of the featured dancers.

What it makes it valuable is that this is the only record we have of one of the famed ballets of the Twentieth Century. What makes it so watchable, if you're so inclined, is a great score by Sergei Prokofiev, clever, funny, romantic, classic choreography by Frederick Ashton, a sumptuous production and superb dancing by Antoinette Sibley as Cinderella and Anthony Dowell as the Prince. They were the Royal Ballet's most famous and accomplished dancing pair after Margot Fonteyn and Rudolph Nureyev. And giving the ballet great verve and humor is Frederick Ashton and Robert Helpmann dancing the roles of the ugly sisters. Both were acclaimed premier dancers in their prime and had successful careers after, Ashton as one of Britain's great choreographers and Helpmann as an actor, choreographer and ballet manager. (You might remember Helpmann in The Red Shoes and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.) They provide the comic relief throughout the ballet. The sisters are man hungry, jealous of each other and of Cinderella and absolutely unconscious of how unattractive they are. Ashton and Helpmann are great in the roles.

The DVD is no marvel of clarity, but it's certainly watchable. It's well worth having if you like Prokofiev, if you like a classic of ballet, if you like two great comic turns...or if you like all three.

Finally a director that does not use inapropriate close-ups.......2005-04-24

This video is superbly directed: there are few head shots and few waist-and-head shots.

As anyone who loves ballet knows there is nothing more annoying than the director that focusses on the principal dancer's face while an ensemble of 40 people dances out of the frame. Especially with a choreography such as Ashton's this would have been disastrous. Fortunately the director knows his job and keeps an ideal distance from the dancers. You can still see the principals while not missing any important action that goes on in the background. It's as close to watching the actual performance as you can get.

Ashton's choreography might not be his best but it's still very good. The dancing is very good.

Not my favorite Cinderella, but some good dancing.......2005-04-19

Of the Cinderellas I have seen, Frederick Ashton's version is perhaps the most traditional. He sticks fairly closely to the fairytale, set once upon a time in a land far away. His big idea is to have men-in-drag (in this video, himself and Robert Helpmann) play the stepsisters. The other two Cinderellas I have seen are unfortunatley not available commercially at the moment. One is choreographed by Vladimir Malakhov for the Berlin Ballet. It takes place in a ballet company, and Cinderella in this case is an aspiring ballerina. Malakhov plays one of the stepsisters, a bad ballerina-wannabe. The ballet ends with Cinderellas triumphant debut in a ballet. The other is Rudolf Nureyev, for the Paris Opera Ballet. Nureyev set his story in the 1920's, and Cinderella is an aspiring actress. Nureyev plays the fairy godmother, a movie producer. The ballet ends with a signed film contract for Cinderella.
Of the three versions, Ashton's has some weaknesses. I think the clowning of the stepsisters gets old. The seasons and Act 2 ball choreography are rather slow, and drag on interminably. Nureyev and Malakhov both move through the seasons (which is a slow part of the ballet anyway) much more briskly than Ashton.
Ashton's Cinderella has surprisingly little choreography for Cinderella herself. I admire Ashton a lot as a choreographer, but I don't think Cinderella was his most imaginative work. Nevertheless, the ballet has some many nice touches. The sisters preparations for the ball in Act 1 (complete with primping, wigs, and emergency dance lessons) is one of them, as is Cinderella's lonely dance with her broom.
This video is a nice document of Ashton's ballet. It's one of the only videos with Antoinette Sibley, who is simply a radiant ballerina with the loveliest smile imaginable. At the end of Act 1 Sibley leaves for the ball in her coach and she looks back at tha audience with a radiant smile. There is also a nice moment when Cinderella uses the broom as a dancing partner. The Prince is Anthony Dowell, Sibley's regular partner. The Ugly Sisters are Sir Frederick Ashton and Robert Helpmann. They're pretty funny, but I feel that the sisters' clowning gets old after awhile. I also think the orchestra plays Prokofiev's dainty, almost impressionistic score very poorly. The strings sound somewhat out of tune, the horns blare gracelessly, and the whole orchestra plays Cinderella with all the attention and energy they'd devote to elevator music.
As a side note, an earlier 1955 video made with Margot Fonteyn and Michael Somes is also now available on dvd. That version was made for tv, and has many many cuts. Strangely I prefer that video to this one, because some of the padding is gone.
I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression -- I'm glad I have this Cinderella on video. The dancing is why I give this four stars. I just don't think it's an overwhelming masterpiece and I think other, better Cinderellas (particularly the POB one and even Ashton's 1955 tv version) exist.

Average customer rating:

not for kids

CINDERELLA:A Dance Fantasy
Starring: Hannelore Bey , Roland Gawlick , and The Berlin Comic Opera Ballet
Manufacturer: View, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000MRNWTC
Release Date: 2007-04-10

Product Description

One of the most beloved fairy tales of all-time comes to life as a charming ballet, impeccably danced by the Berlin Comic Opera Ballet. For centuries, the story of Cinderella has held a special place in the hearts of both children and adults alike. Children will watch in delight as their favorite characters, Cinderella and her evil stepsisters, the fairy godmother, and, of course, the handsome Prince, come alive in this DVD presentation created especially to introduce children to the alluring world of dance. Set to the music of famed composer Sergei Prokofiev, the timeless score serves as the musical backdrop for the electrifying dancing, whose beauty and good-natured sentiment will entertain and enchant viewers of all ages.

Customer Reviews:

not for kids.......2007-07-03

I picked up this video to watch with my daughter, who, 10 minutes into the show said, "I hate this video". It's rather avante garde with regards to costumes; the music is dissonant, and the quality of the cinematography is poor. I cannot comment on the quality of the dancing, since I am no expert, but this will probably not appeal to younger children.

Prokofiev - Cinderella / Lyon National Opera Ballet / Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Amazing Masterpiece
A Masterpiece of Creative Interpretation!
Skip This!

Prokofiev - Cinderella / Lyon National Opera Ballet / Orchestra
Starring: Jayne Plaisted , and Maguy Marin
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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Delibes - Coppelia / Lyon National Opera Ballet (Maguy Marin)
Bizet/Shchedrin - Carmen / Cullberg Ballet (Mats Ek)
Prokofiev - Cinderella / Sibley, Dowell, Royal Ballet
Tchaikovsky - Sleeping Beauty / De Ligniere, Gouda, Cullberg Ballet (Mats Ek)
Mats Ek - Appartement / Osta, Le Riche, Gillot, Martinez, Belarbi, Paris Opera Ballet

ASIN: B0006SSQ7K
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Description

A Ballet By Maguy Marin. Music by Sergei Prokofiev. Lyon National Opera Ballet, Lyon National Opera Orchestra. Conductor: Yakov Kreisberg. Dancers: Francoise Jouillie, Dominique Laine, Jayne Plaisted. Maguy Marin's highly original and magical version of the Cinderella story, as conceived for and performed by the Lyon National Opera Ballet, was an unparalleled success throughout its world tour. Anna Kisselgoff of the New York Times said that Marin's "vision reaches back into the universals of everyone's childhood - the hurts and joys resonate here with touching depth." The characters in her beautifully child-like version of the ballet are live dolls, with real human feelings projected upon them in the way children identify with their real playthings. The story unfolds within a doll's house set - The Fairy Godmother resembles a robot, Cinderella goes to the ball in a toy car and the Prince goes in search of his new love on a rocking horse..."This is not Prokofiev's Cinderella but Maguy Marin's version - a brilliantly conceived one at that." (New York Times)

Customer Reviews:

Amazing Masterpiece.......2006-10-09

Quirky yes but this take on a classic brings me many memories, i love the interpretation, this is a must have!

A Masterpiece of Creative Interpretation!.......2005-04-25

Marin and the Lyon National Opera Ballet have brought unique insight, humor, and to Prokofiev's musical joy, Cinderella. They have breathed new life into the tale, now seen through the eyes of a young girl as the dance of her dolls in their dollhouse. BLee correctly states that the faces of the dancers are hidden beneath their dolls' masks; some perform as wooden dolls -- others as dolls of cloth and china. But far from detracting from the individuality of the dancers, Marin has provided each "doll" with distinctive movements and steps enhancing and expressing that character's individuality. It is comparable in insight and creative power to Kylian's L'Enfant et les Sortileges.

I have bought and watched this disc on HDTV with a 5.1 channel audio system. The image is clear and sharp (though only 4:3), and the colors vibrant despite the 1989 recording date. Its sound quality is rich despite the limitations of dolby 2.0. By contrast, the Shilling/Berlin Comic DVD of Cinderella is a disaster -- with washed out images and sound. Though well danced and choreographed, it lacks Marin's originality and genius.

Skip This!.......2005-04-10

This is very dull. Often, personification makes things so much more interesting. Here the process is reverse and so is the effect. It is most unnatural, not being able to see the dancers faces or expressions. And even their movements and actions mimic those of wooden dolls. Photograhy is poor too. Just terrible! The music is quite alright though.

Prokofiev - Cinderella / Struchkova, Lediakh, Chadarain, Kolpakchi, Maximova, Bolshoi Ballet

Average customer rating:

timeless
A Very Interesting Ballet Movie Classic!
Hisstoric

Prokofiev - Cinderella / Struchkova, Lediakh, Chadarain, Kolpakchi, Maximova, Bolshoi Ballet
Starring: Raisa Struchkova , Gennadi Lediakh , and Ekaterina Maximova
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Prokofiev - Cinderella / Fonteyn, Somes, Ashton, MacMillan, Park, Grant, Farron, Fifield, Page, Beriosova, Sadler's Wells Ballet
Cesare Pugni - La Fille du Pharaon (The Pharoah's Daughter) / Zakharova, Filin, Alexandrova, Yanin, Lacotte, Bolshoi Ballet

ASIN: B000A3XZ2W
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Description

This is an outstanding ballet of the timeless fairytale that has captured the hearts of young and old for centuries! Set to Sergei Prokofiev's classic score, the Bolshoi Ballet performs in this color motion picture from 1961. Filmed with multiple cameras which created long, medium and close-up shots and special effects, this is not simply a "canned" performance, but one in which film, dance and music combine to produce an unforgettable experience. And with Raisa Struchkova in the title role, and a teenaged Yekaterina Maximova in a supporting part, this historic program is a must for ballet lovers everywhere!

Customer Reviews:

timeless.......2007-06-25

I was really scared to buy this after reading the other reviews. I bought it anyway and I don't regret it. The film is old but it has Struckova in it and that makes it worth it alone. Ekaterina Maximova plays the part of Spring in it and she is very young at the time of this production. Having Maximova is a bonus. Yes it is an old film,but for historic purposes alone it makes it worth it. Don't forget to buy Anyuta: Ekaterina Maximova with Vasiliev. It's fantastic.

A Very Interesting Ballet Movie Classic!.......2006-07-05

First of all, this is from 1961 and is a very fine example of the Russian cinema from that period. It is in color with beautiful camera work, special effects of the period, and great acting. The camera gives us many closeups to show facial reactions. The image and sound quality are very good and typical of movies from that period. If you have been spoiled by the technical perfection of image and sound quality of today's digital products, you may not want this. I have met many people that tell me they refuse to watch any of the older movies for this reason! I, for one, am very glad to have these classics available to me(as I was growing up, I only heard about classic movies, but could never see them!). The performance, itself, is quite good with very interesting choreography. All the female parts are danced on pointe, including the ugly sisters, the mother and even the fairy godmother. We are also given the fairies of the seasons here with solos for each of them. The famous ballerina, Yekaterina Maximova, dances the role of the Spring fairy. The Prince is played by Gennadi Lediakh and he gives a very impressive performance with some extremely challenging solo variations(his opening solo includes an eleven-turn pirouette!). This was the period at the Bolshoi that was strongly influenced by Asaf Messerer(Maya Plisetskaya's uncle) who helped bring the Bolshoi into the modern age of classical technique. Cinderella is danced by Raisa Struchkova and she shows us a very convincing and spirited character. Keeping in mind that this is from a bygone era, I highly recommend it!

Hisstoric.......2005-12-30

I could only take 5 minutes of the tape hiss before stopping the disk. The picture quality is sub par but at least watchable. But the audio is totally unacceptable. Kultur says it's a historic recording. Actually it's a Hiss Hiss recording. If I watch it again it will be with the sound turned off. There are other recording of Cinderella. Get them.

Prokofiev - Cinderella / Fonteyn, Somes, Ashton, MacMillan, Park, Grant, Farron, Fifield, Page, Beriosova, Sadler's Wells Ballet

Average customer rating:

A fine historical performance

Prokofiev - Cinderella / Fonteyn, Somes, Ashton, MacMillan, Park, Grant, Farron, Fifield, Page, Beriosova, Sadler's Wells Ballet
Starring: Margot Fonteyn , Kenneth MacMillan , and Frederick Ashton
Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Prokofiev - Cinderella / Struchkova, Lediakh, Chadarain, Kolpakchi, Maximova, Bolshoi Ballet
Romeo and Juliet (Royal Ballet)- Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn

ASIN: B0002VEX1Y
Release Date: 2004-08-31

Description

VAI DVD 4296 Margot Fonteyn, Michael Somes, Frederick Ashton, Kenneth MacMillian, Sadler's Wells Ballet (Royal Ballet). Choreography by Frederick Ashton. Music by Prokofiev. Conducted by Robert Irving. Broadcast of April 29, 1957. Approx. 90 min. B&W

Customer Reviews:

A fine historical performance.......2004-11-28

I was really pleased to see that a copy of this 1957 TV version
of the Prokofiev/Ashton Cinderella has been released.

I must be honest, though. For me there were pluses as well as minuses associated with this DVD.

First, it's wonderful to see any footage of Margot Fonteyn who was the ballerina that really hooked me into ballet.
Yes, there were dancers with a showier technique than hers, but this shows off her beautiful line, extreme musicality and immense charm.

It's also nice to see her with one of her long time partners,
Michael Somes. I also enjoyed the very brief glimpses of Svetlana Beriosova, a beautiful dancer from the 50s and 60s.

Another plus for me, although others may look at this in a very different way are the cuts. The version of the ballet, as presented in this TV edition, is very heavily cut. Real fans of the piece may find this a drawback, however I find the complete version over long, and padded out with way too much of the step-sisters. Also, and again, this is a very personal view, I find Prokofiev's score a bit unimaginative, and like the choreography, somewhat padded. So I'm fine with the cuts but realize others may not be.

What's left of the stepsisters' scenes is a lot of fun and Ashton and MacMillan have wonderful comic timing .

The most serious problem is the poor quality of the picture. The original must have been in very bad shape. Although at best it is very grainy, at worst, in the Four Seasons section, the contrast is very poor. I would never have been able to recognize the young Merle Park as Spring without the credits.

There is also a slightly under-reheared air about this production.

Still, even with the drawbacks, this is highly enjoyable. I would highly recommend it even with the limitations I noted.

Average customer rating:

Very nice costumes & a interesting set.
Amazing Artistry
Horrid!
makes me soooo mad
Could've been better

The Ice Princess
Starring: Katarina Witt , Christopher Barker , Vernon Dobtcheff , Daniela Amavia , and Rosalynn Sumners
Director: Danny Huston
Manufacturer: Winstar
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

Ice Princess (Widescreen Edition)
The Cutting Edge - Gold Medal Edition
Ice Castles
An Evening with Scott Hamilton & Friends
Ice Skating Showcase

ASIN: B00004Y7D2
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Description

Former Olympic and World Figure Skating Champion Katarina Witt stars in this stunning contemporary interpretation of the classic tale o Cinderella. THE ICE PRINCESS combines a top quality costume drama an original soundtrack from songwriters Christopher Cross and Curtis Stigers, and world-class ice skating in a family spectacular, which will delight audiences worldwide. Katarina Witt is Ella, a maid in the household of a blind Count. The town is preparing for an ice skating festival to be held at the Prince's palace, and the Count's daughters are determined to capture the prince's heart. Their plan falls apart when the Prince is captivated by the beautiful Ella, who invites the Prince to skate with her. When Ella is thrown into prison, the Prince searches in vain for the beautiful stranger, who finally appears at the ball held at the castle. The pair fall in love and the story ends with a stunning ice dancing display.

Customer Reviews:

Very nice costumes & a interesting set. .......2006-12-10

This is a little bit more like a ice show that has been made into a movie. But it is interesting. The children are cute and the historical charactors and costumes are very nice. Katarina had a bit of a problem to deliver her lines. She should take a few more classes. But as an olympic gold metal winner of course her skating and dramatic flair was beyond question the best. The story of course is that the prince falls in love with a 'common' women and wants to get married. He of course has to give up his throne to marry her, but by the end they have found a way he can keep her and the throne.

Katarina is a beautiful women and well accepted in Europe. I am surprised that they are not offering her more jobs here in America. I know I would like to see more of her in various specials and other programing.

Amazing Artistry.......2006-03-23

This movie is one of my favorites. It came out quite a few years ago and I first saw it on TV in 1998. I personally love the music of this movie and especially love that I can watch this movie in such a small amount of time. I have always been a fan of Katarina Witt and will always be impressed with her style of skating. This film is an original, it was produced in 1997, long before Disney's Ice Princess was probably even on the drawing board, so there is no rip off of titles or themes. There is an European influence on this movie and it shows. I hope that other's look at this movie for the artistry behind it and enjoy it!

Horrid!.......2006-01-14

There is nothing good about this movie unless you like watching German figure skaters trying to rap.

makes me soooo mad.......2005-10-07

makes me so mad to see this movie copy ice princess. it sucks. they stole the title and the love between the girl and boy and the ice skating. heloooooo, copying will get you no were!

Could've been better.......2005-08-28

I was interested in seeing this movie, so I rented it from Netflix. Anyway, I really didn't care for it. Certain parts were alright, but I could've done without some too. If you want to see a good skating movie, rent Cutting Edge.

Prokofiev - Cinderella / Komleva, Daoukaev, Galinskaja, Koul, Bolshoi Ballet

Average customer rating:

5 stars for the dancing...the production quality, however...
Is this a ballet or a stage play?
Bolshoi or Kirov?
Scandalous Junk
Choreographic Virtuosity!

Prokofiev - Cinderella / Komleva, Daoukaev, Galinskaja, Koul, Bolshoi Ballet
Starring: Komleva , and Bolshoi Ballet
Manufacturer: Empire Musicwerks
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

The Kirov Celebrates Nijinsky / Sheherazade, La Spectre de la Rose, The Polovtsian Dances, The Firebird
Prokofiev - Cinderella / Struchkova, Lediakh, Chadarain, Kolpakchi, Maximova, Bolshoi Ballet
Prokofiev - The Stone Flower / Terekhova, Gulyaev, Polikarpova, Christyakova, Viliumanis, Kirov Ballet
Prokofiev - Cinderella / Sibley, Dowell, Royal Ballet
Prokofiev: Cinderella

ASIN: B0000DZ3H8
Release Date: 2003-10-28

Customer Reviews:

5 stars for the dancing...the production quality, however..........2007-02-12

The dancing is gorgeous---I was impressed with the fluidity of the movements and the apparent effortless of them. I've read that feet should be like hands in ballet, and articulating through a beautiful, but uncomfortable pointe shoe is no small feat (very bad pun intended). The stepsisters were good actresses, executing their difficult choreography with aggression and jauntiness--yet with impressive skill. Cinderella contrasts her stepsisters with her graceful, delicate, and fluid dancing.

The production quality leaves much to be desired. Yes, this was filmed awhile ago, so the existing technology has to be taken into consideration. But the fuzziness/lack of camera focus was somewhat distracting as was the overall psychedelic feel to the performance. If the dancing wasn't so captivating and beautifully performed, the other aspects of this production would have null and voided this Cinderella.

Prokofiev is somewhat less accessible than Tchaikovsky (who is known for his sweeping, gorgeous melodies), but I've grown to love and appreciate his Cinderella and Romeo & Juliet.

I've owned this DVD for awhile, but I wanted to give it another look because I will be performing in an upcoming local production of Cinderella (mid April). Though my part is relatively minor (I'm in the court dancing scene) and the choreography, while pretty, is not difficult, I'm extremely excited! (My Saturdays are spent in a morning dance class and then a few hours at the afternoon rehearsals--Dancing is my stress release and passion, my down time.) The choreography for the T.C. Dance Center's production of Cinderella is very different from this DVD's production, and we are doing some pretty spiffy partnering for Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother. There wasn't as much partnering between Cinderella and the Prince in this DVD version as I would have liked--just a personal preference.

Is this a ballet or a stage play?.......2007-01-22

I ask this because it was so horrible that I couldn't finish watching it and tried to not once but twice! I got through the first 40 minutes and there was more acting than there was dancing. the performance was filmed for TV, and done at weird angles. The characters were almost scary in there clown makeup and the little bit of dancing there was was mediocre at best. The part of cinderella was done by a dancer who looked almost past her prime and again there was more "acting" than dancing. I use the word acting loosely. I got this from Netflix, so I'm glad I didn't waste my money on this horrific version of cinderella.

Personally, I like my ballets to be in front of an audience without any "special effects" added for TV viewing and I like my ballerinas to actually dance, not go around pinching Cinderella the first 1/2 of the production. If you want to be sure for yourself, rent it first before you buy. You will disappointed if you waste your money on this.

Bolshoi or Kirov?.......2006-08-04

Amazon's description of this DVD is "Prokofiev - Cinderella / Komleva, Daoukaev, Galinskaja, Koul, Bolshoi Ballet (1978)." This is an incorrect attribution. As many other reviewers have pointed out, it's actually a Kirov production. The confusion arises because the DVD is issued on the "Bolshoi" LABEL, which reads "Bolshoi presents Sergei Prokofiev -- Cinderella," and identifies the disc as "vol.02." The U.S. distributor is Universal. So far as I've been able to tell, the only other DVD issued on this label was "The Nutcracker," as "vol.01."

The credits give, in English:
Production and Choreography: Constantin Sergiev
Cinderella: Gabriella Komleva
Prince: Marat Daukaev
Stepmother: A. Kashirina
Father: A. Onoshko
Angry Sister: L. Galinskaja
Vain Sister: M. Kulik
Fairy godmother, gnomes, spring, summer, autumn, winter, ball master, male dancers, servants, etc.: Leningrad government academic theater opera and ballet of S. M. Kirova
Featuring students of Leningrad Academic Choreography College of A. R. Vaganovoy
Theater Symphonic Orchestra Conductor: Victor Fedotov [although the orchestra is not specifically identified, Fedotov was the resident conductor for the Kirov]
Producer & Stage Production: Victor Akunsov
Stage Manager: Vicheslav Bulaenko
Set Designers: Larisa Lukonina, Sergei Godovalov
Costume: T. Bruny
Producer: D. Petlina
Directed by: V. Vad

There is nothing to indicate whether the performance may have been filmed in either Leningrad or Moscow. This is not a bad DVD, but it's not particularly good. I was as disappointed in the orchestral conducting as in any other aspect of the performance, staging, film direction, or transfer quality. The best "Cinderella" that I'm aware of, in all respects, is the Paris Opera Ballet version choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev, who has reset the story in 1920s Hollywood, and starring Sylvie Guillem. Unfortunately this production has never been transferred to DVD; the VHS appears to be ASIN: B000005IUP.

Scandalous Junk.......2005-07-26

This is junk. It looks like someone camcorded it off of a television, copied it 1,000 times and then transferred it to a DVD. It would be one thing if it sold for $3.00, but it doesn't. The recorded sound actually isn't bad, but the acting is so absurd you laugh.

Choreographic Virtuosity!.......2005-01-22

This is one outstanding production! I usually don't like to comment on other reviews but this is ridiculous! There is no error in the packaging! This was a Bolshoi THEATER production, not a Bolshoi Ballet production. Everthing is correctly identified as the Kirov Ballet performing at the Bolshoi Theater, which is where they always perform when they are in MOSCOW! They are not confined to Leningrad! It appears to be made for TV, so they probably made use of the superior Moscow facilities. It is quite common for some special effects to be used in a ballet like this. Enough about the packaging. The performance is outstanding as is the picture quality. The sound quality is not perfect, however, but acceptable. The choreography is extremely ambitious and marvelously executed. Especially noteworthy is the treatment of the ugly sisters; they are not ugly at all and danced on pointe with a large number of solos. They almost steal the show! The camera work is also excellent. If you enjoy aggressive ballet, you'll like this.

Average customer rating:

Cinderella
Starring: Bolshoi Ballet
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Prokofiev: Cinderella

ASIN: B000A2X4GK
Release Date: 2005-04-12

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