Customer Reviews
A Golden Age 
2008-11-03
I saw this company first in 1947, and followed them for about ten years. They were my introduction to ballet, and the dancers I remember were Alexandra Danilova, Natalie Krassovska, Frederic Franklin, and Nicolas Magellanes. Others came -- Ruthanna Boris, Mia Slavenska, Nina Novak -- but my memory of ballet is full of these early performances and those early dancers. It is inspiring to see them in this film, as full of love for their art as they were when performing.
There is one area where I disagre slightly. I remember Nina Novak in the chorus, and she had charisma. You watched her. When she was given more important roles, you continued to watch her. What she did in her private life was irrelevant; she drew the eye.
This is a must-see for every lover of ballet who is curious about how it started in America, and became the center of interest that it holds today.
Baronova is astonishing!
An Insight Into Little Known History 
2008-10-21
A beautifully woven tale of the dancers that shaped contemporary dance performance. I was in awe at the history, ego, and humility of remarkable pioneers.
All Encompassing DVD on the History of Ballets Russes 2008-04-27
This dvd is wonderfully done documentary about the history of "Ballets Russes". Daniel Geller & Dayna Goldfine do an excellent job of putting an entire history of one of the world's greatest ballet company's to ever exist. We see interviews of the actual dancers talk about themselves as well as the history of Ballets Russes... along with actual footage of them dancing the ballets themselves.
The focus of this documentary also includes other topics as well like the founders of Ballet Russes, the choreographers, the set and costume designers and so on it. This dvd documentary is quite engaging and flows great from start to finish. I highly recommend "Ballets Russes" to all ballet and dance lovers whom want to know more about the major players of the ballet world.
Entertaining, Educational, and Emotional 2008-03-05
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this DVD or not. The only reason I did was to find out some basic background information which I needed in writing a paper. After it was over, I found myself amazed and wanting to find out even more about the Ballet Russe and wishing I could have seen them at their prime.
The basic components of this DVD are archival footage of the actual Ballets, pictures of individuals involved with them, and interview sessions with a handful, maybe two handfuls, of surviving dancers who are well into their 80s.
Granted, I needed to take a break halfway through because there is a lot to digest in this DVD, as soon as you press play, it is very engrossing. It is amazing to see how passionate these people are about dance, what they had to go through, the ups and downs, the different dance companies. You really find yourself affected by their stories.
It was even more personal to me because I have actually seen and touched many of these costumes. Having worked at a museum there was an entire wall in one of the storage rooms devoted to the Ballet Russe. And just seeing the names of the ballets brought back many memories.
You don't have to be a fan of the ballet to enjoy this DVD. There is so much history and footage, any old movie buff or historian would enjoy it.
ballets russes 2008-01-02
This is a wonderful film for anyone interested in the origins of modern ballet.The inclusion of interviews with so many of the original dancers and the highlights from various productions over the course of the twentieth century make it a real joy to experience.
Brilliant and moving documentary plus an unexpected surprise 2007-09-21
An intimate portrait of a group of pioneering artists - now in their 70s 80s & 90s - who gave birth to modern ballet. Studio: Zeitgeist Films Release Date: 09/12/2006 Run time: 118 minutes
A wonderful ballet history 2007-08-18
This is a wonderful documentary about the Ballet Russe and how it evolved, fell apart, evolved again. It includes lots of film of the dancers, how they became a part of the ballet, what their personalities were like. It gives you an excellent background for Balanchine and Massine, with some insights on Agnes DeMille and by Maria Tallchief. If you are a ballet lover, you cannot help but enjoy this.
B rilliant with a Big Wow Factor! 2007-08-01
My review of Gaite Parisienne states the time and place when I was lucky enough to attend live performances of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. I say "lucky enough" because the company consisted of performers that have become legends in the classical dance world. I wish I could name them all but I'll never forget Alicia Alonso, Alicia Markova, Alexandra Danilova, Leonide Massine, Frederic Franklin and Igor Youskevich for starters. This DVD brings it all back in detail. Wonderful! I remember when Alicia Alonso went back to Cuba and was never to perform in the U.S.A. again. What a loss for the world of dance. But since that time we have continued to see much of her influence in the Cuban-born dancers who have joined, and are performing with, companies such as the American Ballet Theater. Madame Alonso's school in Cuba has given the world some great male dancers, in particular, who can be compared with the greatest Russian-born dancers on an equal basis. There was a time when good male dancers were in short supply and their purpose was mainly to lend support to the ballerinas. Let me not forget the dance prodigals produced by the school that Igor Youskevich established in New York - I think on Long Island. Most of today's great dancers have been trained using the foundation learned from the Ballet Russes' legendary dancers. They showed audiences what brilliant dancing and choreography could be and left everyone wanting more.
Buy this DVD if you truly would like to learn about greatness, egos, sacrifices for the love art. And the art of dance is precisely what they brought to the world of dance and the audiences who were lucky enough to have experienced their performances.
Simply Wonderful! 2007-07-24
This film is an intriguing exploration into the story of the ballet Russes and its dancers, guided by a terrific narrator and punctuated by the dancers themselves. I highly recommend this beautiful film!
Ballets Russes 2007-07-18
Geller and Goldfine's enthralling, transporting portrait of the epoch-defining institution pirouettes with some of dance history's biggest legends, including surviving alumni Yvonne Chouteau, Raven Wilkinson, Marc Platt, and others. Gradually, through their nostalgic, often gossipy reminiscences and the directors' own meticulously assembled archival footage, we come to see how the company's illustrious founders and members lived, loved, fought, and ultimately revolutionized the way the world viewed the art of movement. Even if you've never seen a ballet in your life, the effervescent "Ballets Russes" will sweep you right off your feet.
