Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake [1966]

Customer Reviews:

comparison .......2007-11-15

NO VERSION CAN COMPARE WITH KIROV. MY FAVOURITE IS MAKHALINA AND ZAKLINSKY. BOLSHOI A CLOSE SECOND THE ROYAL BALLET VERSION IS NOT ONE OF MY PREFERRED VERSIONS.EVEN THE 1966 KIROV VERSION IS BETTER THAN NURYEVS VERSION.

Dreadful Production .......2007-08-05

The cor d'ballet is awful. The costumes and sets are atrocious. The choreography (Nureyev's variation is bizzare and troublesome). Yes young Nureyev dances with bravura and as a historical record one might want to watch these moments, but to view the whole DVD is a painful and tedious experience. There are much better versions available; my favorite is The Royal Ballet version with Markova and Anthony Dowell. Avoid this version.

Nureyev's Prince Siegfried.......2007-03-08

I first saw this film of Tchaikovsky's ballet when I was a kid. Back then, I had found it enchanting. Watching it again, when it was first issued on dvd, I felt quite disappointed. Re-viewing it now, -a little more objectively, I think,- I find enough reasons to recommend it, though I would not suggest that this should be anybody's first or one-and-only Swan Lake.
First of all, this is a film, made in a studio and meant to be seen on a very large screen. The spectacle is much less impressive on a TV screen, -even a large one. This becomes particularly annoying whenever Fonteyn is dancing. Being much older than her co-star, the ballerina had asked for no close-ups, hoping to appear more youthful when filmed from a distance. Still, on the big screen you could see her face and expressions clearly. On a Tv screen most of the time you have to guess.
To continue with the shortcomings, the corps de ballet employed comes from the Vienna State Opera and is definitely second-rate. There are some fine moments here and there, but mostly things are average or even less than that.
I've allready mentioned that Fonteyn was past her prime when this film was made and the choreography was, understandably, adapted so as not to expose her declining abilities. There are still some weak moments, especially in the 2nd act. Her movements are generally slower and her balance seems to be somewhat insecure, but overall the emphasis is placed on her elegance, style and fascinating personality, -all of which are very much in evidence. Combine that with the dancing you see in her older films (in different parts, as no other Swan Lake of hers has been preserved, as far as I know,) and you can understand what a marvellous Odete she must have been in the 1950s.
Under the circumstances, the real star of the film is the young Rudolf Nureyev. Perhaps because he was aware of the fact that he was not a "natural" Siegfried, -the part is usually the property of the "noble" dancers,- Nureyev makes an effort to behave in a more "prince-like" fashion, at least in the mime sections. Unfortunately that comes across as effeminate and his atrocious make-up makes things even worse.
Thank God, all that is quickly forgotten when he actually starts dancing. His solo moments exhibit the bravura and breath-taking ability which made him the most famous dancer of his time, while in his dancing with Fonteyn we witness that special chemistry that existed between the two of them. The connection is not like an electric current (as it has been described at times), but more like a warm glow that unites the couple in a partnership of love. I found it truly touching.

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