The Red Shoes (UK) (Archer) (1948) ****Decade: '40siMDB
Director: Michael Powell Cast: Moira Shearer, Anton Walbrook, Marius Goring
A type of film that has always fascinated me is one that explores what it is to be creative, or an artist. The Red Shoes is one early example of this.
Perhaps the ultimate ballet movie, it tells the story of a young woman who becomes a prima ballerina under the tutelage of a Svengali-like ballet company director. But she makes the mistake of falling in love... The story is wrapped around a ballet based on Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tale by the same title, and there are obvious parallels between that story-within-a-story, and the overall theme. It features three portrayals of artists: Vicky, the dancer; Julian, the composer, and perhaps the most fascinating character, Lermontov the ballet company director. It's also one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen, shot in glorious Technicolor.
I'm only giving it 4 stars because it is just a trifle detached and cool (British reserve perhaps?) and some aspects of the story are rather dated. It might be a bit hard to relate to for some modern viewers. It is regardless a masterpiece that shouldn't be missed by any serious movie fan.
Posted by bc on December 29, 2005 09:41 AM