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Ballets Russes (2005)

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Average Rating: 7.7/10
Reviews Counted: 58
Fresh: 53 | Rotten: 5

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.

Average Rating: 7.8/10
Critic Reviews: 20
Fresh: 19 | Rotten: 1

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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Average Rating: 3.2/5
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Movie Info

Filmmakers Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine explore the remarkable history of the legendary dance troupe Ballets Russes in this meticulously researched documentary that traces the evolution of the group from their 1909 debut performance in Paris until their final 1962 show in Brooklyn, NY. Performing at venues both large and small, the Ballets Russes opened the world's eyes to the art of dance in a manner never even conceived by vaudeville. Detailing everything from the involvement of such

Unrated, 2 hr. 1 min.

Musical & Performing Arts, Documentary

Directed By: Dayna Goldfine , Daniel Geller

In Theaters: Oct 26, 2005 Wide

On DVD: Sep 12, 2006

Box Office:$0.5M

Zeitgeist

Ballets Russes Trailer & Photos

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Critic Reviews for Ballets Russes

All Critics (66) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (55) | Rotten (5) | DVD (5)

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

March 17, 2006 Full Review Source: Detroit Free Press

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John Monaghan

Detroit Free Press

Top Critic

... 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.

March 10, 2006 Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle

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Bruce Westbrook

Houston Chronicle

Top Critic

Enchanting, edifying and exhilarating.

March 8, 2006 Full Review Source: New York Observer

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Andrew Sarris

New York Observer

Top Critic

Capturing glimpses of those halcyon days, filmmakers Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine offer the documentary Ballets Russes, riveting in rare footage and poignant interviews with some of the dancers who brought ballet to the hinterlands.

February 16, 2006 Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News

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Margaret Putnam

Dallas Morning News

Top Critic

Ballets Russes does an amazing job of unearthing footage of the famous ballet troupe from its beginnings in turn-of-the-century Paris through to its demise in the '60s.

January 5, 2006 Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor

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Peter Rainer

Christian Science Monitor

Top Critic

Vintage footage and modern interviews and staged 'events' tell the tale of this important piece of art history.

December 27, 2005 Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel

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Roger Moore

Orlando Sentinel

Top Critic

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

March 1, 2007 Full Review Source: Film Journal International

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David Noh

Film Journal International

The talking heads, clips and photos are all so warm and dynamic that they make for quite a watchable film.

September 22, 2006 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

An informative, insightful glimpse into the ballet company that made an impact on the development of the dance form...a history lesson and an unforgettable close up encounter with some of its artists

May 10, 2006 Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile

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Urban Cinefile Critics

Urban Cinefile

An uplifting and deeply satisfying meditation on the passage of time and the resilience of the human spirit.

March 31, 2006 Full Review Source: Kansas City Star

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Robert W. Butler

Kansas City Star

Surprisingly heavy on its feet.

March 30, 2006 Full Review Source: Boulder Weekly

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Thomas Delapa

Boulder Weekly Source: Boulder Weekly

Misses out on a chance for wider appeal by mixing approaches, dryly unloading lots of inside-baseball information about a ballet company that went kaput more than 40 years ago.

March 30, 2006 Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star

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Phil Villarreal

Arizona Daily Star

Never fully explores the stubborn, arduous passion of ballet, [but] . . . skips along pleasantly enough from pointed anecdotes to historical footage before closing with a stirring final flourish.

March 22, 2006 Comment

Brian Gibson

Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)

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Audience Reviews for Ballets Russes

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Fascinating documentary on the world's most famous ballet.

October 9, 2007

Jeremy Smith

Super Reviewer

a fascinating review of the dance troupe initially formed from russian refugees. their ballets from 1909 thru the 1940's were artistic fusions of scenery, costumes, sets, music, and dance! my personal favorites were those choreographed by leonide massine. this company was the first to introduce the symphony ballets.

October 23, 2009