Product: Sleeping Beauty [VHS] (1996)
Rating: 5.0
A Timeless Classic
This video is a superb example of true Russian/Soviet trained dancers combined with Soviet style of "cultural propaganda". The film (created in 1964) was made to be shown in the movie theaters to bring more art to the masses (let's not forget that the arts were on very high level in former Soviet Union and still are in the present-day Russia). This movie-version style should explain somewhat choppy cinematography. On the other hand, it's is a classic that should be owned by all avid ballet lovers as well as by those who are just remotely interested in ballet. It is a great family movie!The dancers in the main roles were the stars of the Kirov Ballet in the 60's and 70's. How can one go wrong in owning a tape with such stars in their prime as Alla Sizova, Yuri Soloviev, Natalia Dudinskaya, Natalia Makarova, Valeri Panov among many others? To any ballet student this should be a historic recording of what true classical training can produce. It's a pure academy of dance! For someone to say that the dancers are out of shape, because they might seem a little more meatier than our present-day concept of bones, is absurd! After all, it's the muscle that gets you up into the air -- not bones.Alla Sizova was a lyrical dancer with pure classical style training and faultless technique. She received gold medal at Varna competition in 1964, and it's safe to assume that this ballet was filmed shortly after that. She was very popular in England when Kirov Ballet toured there. Unfortunately, she had a back injury and wasn't able to dance for 2 years, but she came back to dance and tour with Kirov in England and Europe without any loss of her brilliant technique. Presently, I believe, she is teaching in Washington D.C.Yuri Soloviev was one of the most talented dancers that Russian and world ballet ever had. His technique was impeccable, his jumps absolutely breathtaking and....his life was extinquished much too soon for us to enjoy his talent. If for nothing else, one should have this tape to remember Soloviev's extraordinary talent.Moreover, this film captured very young Natalia Makarova in the role of Princess Florina.I hope this insight is somewhat helpful.