DVD Alert: 'The Red Shoes'

OK back to the classics and here's one of the most beautiful color films ever as well as one of the best about dance, actually ballet. This English gem from 1948 was a monster hit and sent scores of young girls to ballet school. Men will like this movie too because there's one of the great roles for men with Anton Walbrook as Lermontov the egotistical empressario who drives his staff to perfection. He's so classy decked out in his stylish wardrobe and watch the way he smokes a ciagette. Men and women fall under his demanding spell as he charms & bullies everyone to do their best and nobody is spared. Those who defy or fail him soon feel his wrath and are driven away from his inner circle. Walbrook gives one of the most memorable performances on screen and he always stands out in any of his movies. The rest of the cast is equal in their own way.

The plot evolves around his nurturing of Victoria, a new ballerina (Moira Shearer) who falls in love with the composer (Marius Goring) of a ballet commissioned by Lermontov. The main theme is Love vs. Art as she is forced to chose between two strong men. The ending should have you in tears and as strange as it seems you might feel less sorry for Victoria and more for Lermontov as you watch this epitome of Continental Charm crack and crumble.

The 'Red Shoes' ballet, the centerpiece of the film and worth waiting for, is pure cinematic magic that could never be done on a stage. Brian Easdale's score was one of my first LP purchases when I saw this movie on TV almost 35 years ago. I never get tired of watching this visually ravishing movie as it's more than just about ballet. Love, hard work, constant practice, teamwork and rivalry show their good and bad sides while Lermontov pulls everyone's strings like a Svengali-ish puppetmaster.

This Criterion edition have lots of good bonus material and was another requested Xmas gift. To understand the lasting influence of The Red Shoes and to watch the original trailer, which gives you an idea of its celebrated color scheme but pales in comparison to the restored DVD, a must rent or buy - here's a link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/arts/dance/31maca.html?_r=2&ref=movies&oref=slogin