Ballets Russes

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Ballets Russes

2005

2h 1m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

58 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

From 1909 to 1929, the Ballets Russes traveled the globe, becoming one of the most famous ballet troupes in the world as they collaborated with painters and filmmakers, and setting new standards for artistry in dance production. When their impresario, Sergei Diaghilev, died in 1929, the company's glory years came to an end, but their legend persisted through the 20th century. A 2000 reunion of surviving members in New Orleans provides the world with an opportunity to pay tribute.

Critics Consensus

Even if you know little about ballet, there is much to love about this documentary's captivating archival footage and its interviews with elderly former dancers who have much to share.

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John Monaghan

Detroit Free Press

A casual interest in dance is all it takes to enjoy Ballets Russes, an enchanting new documentary about the famed French ballet company.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 17, 2006

Full Review

Bruce Westbrook

Houston Chronicle

... a heartening affirmation of the spirit that helped many dancers to thrive in their heyday more than half a century ago and to survive as teachers, dance devotees and priceless raconteurs.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 10, 2006

Full Review

Andrew Sarris

Observer

Enchanting, edifying and exhilarating.

Mar 8, 2006

Full Review

David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

While the present-tense interviews with 20 members of the two Ballets Russes companies will play splendidly on DVD, one should definitely see the film in a theatre to get the full impact of its awesome archival dance footage...

May 7, 2020

Full Review

Eleanor Ringel Cater

Saporta Report (Atlanta)

This is an invaluable record of ballet performances from the first half of the 20th century that otherwise might've been lost forever.

Jul 7, 2017

Full Review

David Noh

Film Journal International

Chock-a-block with invaluable footage of historical performances and reminiscences by eminent survivors, gorgeous and awe-inspiring in their unquenchable life force.

Mar 1, 2007

Full Review

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Audience Member

Un documental fascinante y encantador que nos descubre el origen del ballet clásico a través de las experiencias, recuerdos y sentimientos de sus verdaderos protagonistas. Un viaje visual y emocional de lujo para cualquier amante de la belleza y el arte.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I found the film to be very interesting and informative even though I got lost in the time line, but this is one of the first Documentary I have chosen to watch myself.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Indispensible for its archival footage and firsthand accounts of the golden era of ballet productions.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Audience Member

Interesting documentary follows former members of the Ballet Russe of Monte Carlo, the direct successor to the original Ballet Russe headed by the legendary impresario Serge Diaghilev, a troupe of young Russian expatriates in Paris who brought groundbreaking choreography to Europe and America, inspiring a new generation of dancers, for around 30 years - with artistic directors including George Balanchine, Leonard Massine and Agnes DeMille. Vintage footage of superstar dancers are combined with interviews with their older selves decades later - people with only a casual interest in dance should enjoy this heartfelt effort a great deal.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Pretty interesting documentary with great archival footage and interviews. It's nice to see so many former members of the Ballet Russes still alive and passing on their love of ballet to their students.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Oh, I loved it!!! Brought out my sappy side and made me want to RUN back to ballet class. Beautiful and passionate documentary.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

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Daniel Geller

Director

Dayna Goldfine

Director

Marian Seldes

Narrator

Daniel Geller

Writer

Dayna Goldfine

Writer

Celeste Schaefer Snyder

Writer

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Synopsis

From 1909 to 1929, the Ballets Russes traveled the globe, becoming one of the most famous ballet troupes in the world as they collaborated with painters and filmmakers, and setting new standards for artistry in dance production. When their impresario, Sergei Diaghilev, died in 1929, the company's glory years came to an end, but their legend persisted through the 20th century. A 2000 reunion of surviving members in New Orleans provides the world with an opportunity to pay tribute.

Director: Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine
Producer: Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine, Robert Hawk, Douglas Blair Turnbaugh
Screenwriter: Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine, Celeste Schaefer Snyder, Gary Weimberg
Distributor: Zeitgeist Films
Production Co: Geller/Goldfine Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 26, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $815.8K
Runtime: 2h 1m

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