Product Description

A glorious Technicolor epic that influenced generations of filmmakers, artists, and aspiring ballerinas, The Red Shoes intricately weaves backstage life with the thrill of performance. A young ballerina (Moira Shearer) is torn between two forces: the composer who loves her (Marius Goring), and the impresario determined to fashion her into a great dancer (Anton Walbrook). Criterion is proud to present The Red Shoes in its DVD premiere.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4162 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-05-18
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 134 minutes

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

Torn between two loves.
There is so much to praise about this film. Based on a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen and filmed in Technicolor, The Red Shoes (1948) tells the memorable story of a determined young ballerina, Victoria "Vicky" Page (played by beautiful Moira Shearer), who becomes the lead dancer in a ballet about a woman who cannot stop dancing once she puts on a pair of red shoes. Ballet is Vicky's passion. She is recruited by Boris Lermontov (Anton Walbrook), the business-minded and demanding manager/impresario of the prestigious ballet troupe, Ballet Lermontov. The music for the ballet is to be written by Julian Craster (Marius Goring), a gifted young composer. Vicky and Julian fall in love as the premiere approaches, which infuriates Lermontov when he learns of their affair. He demands nothing less than Vicky's total loyalty to the ballet. When Lermontov fires Julian, Vicky leaves with him, a decision that ultimately forces her to choose between her love for Julian, her passion for dancing, and her contractual responsibility to Lermontov. The film ends on a truly dark and shocking note. Moira Shearer and Anton Walbrook bring fine performances to film. The Red Shoes will appeal to anyone interested in dance or the dance-on-film genre.

The Criterion edition of this film features a digital transfer, interviews with Marius Goring and Moira Shearer, Jack Cardiff, composer Brian Easdale, and Martin Scorsese, Jeremy Irons reading excerpts from Powell and Pressburger's novelization of The Red Shoes and the original Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale "The Red Shoes," Martin Scorsese's collection of Red Shoes memorabilia, and the theatrical trailer.

G. Merritt

This is the kind of film that truly inspires people to become dancers, filmmakers, artists, etc., etc....
I am a huge fan of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Their colloboration was one of the greatest and most unique in the history of cinema. This is probably their greatest film, even though there are others which are just as magnificent. This film is about ballet, the love of art, and the burning that artists have in their desire to create. I love the 20 minute ballet sequence in the middle of the film. The film "leaves" the stage, and we get a beautiful, emotional, poetic interpretation of The Red Shoes. It's almost like it's own little movie. Certain films like this can't really be described to anyone's satisfaction, as they inspire many emotions and feeling, and words cannot convey these things most of the time. The film is so beguiling and beautiful that it still inspires many filmmakers, dancers, musicians, and artists to this very day. One of my favorite exchanges of dialogue sums up this film....

Lemontov...why do you want to dance?
Vicki....why do you want to live?
Lemontov...I don't know exactly why, but I must.
Vicki...that's my answer too.

We must create...we have no other choice....

Thank you Netflix
If not for that I would have missed this one entirely. I Don't usually go in for "Classic" movies, but I'm a dance movie addict Ballet especially, so I had to give The Red Shoes a go. And I must say that this film is absoluely beautiful from top to bottom.

Moira Shearer Glows, as Victoria Page. who wants nothing more in life then to dance, and never even considered love until... I'm telling you it's like you have to watch her. Her performance is hypnotic. She makes the film worth watching all by herself.

Anton Wallbrook as Boris Lermontov is so wonderfully sinister. the guy you love to hate and all. Wallbrook really masterd Lermontov's downward spiral. he was truly unhinged by the end, An amazing talent.

Marius Goring as Julian Craster was missing somthing for me. His performance was tepid at best, He just didn't seem to own the part. I don't know He bothered me.

The Red Shoes Ballet sequence was breath taking, unbelievable. I was gaping at the screen. and when it was performed again at the end of the film. I was speachless. Gut renchiing.

I highly recommend it to any one looking for a memorable viewing experience.