| | |  | Ballets & Classics | Home » » » BALLROOM DANCING: The International Championships | | | | | | | Description: | | ElegancePrecisionRomanceRhythm The spirit of Ballroom Dance is fully captured in this spectacular DVD. From the Latin Samba, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Pasodoble and Jive to the modern Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slowfox and Quickstep, the world's top-ranked ballroom dancer (such as Professional World Champions Donnie Burns, Marcus Hilton, Gaynor Fairweather, and Karen Hilton, among others) go head to head in the Latin and Modern Competitions. Electrifying demonstrations by Professional World Champions' are the highlight of this program that was filmed at the prestigious Grand Prix Unitrading in Ostrava.Dancing with the Stars, a massive hit on U.S. TV, has propelled Ballroom Dancing back to the forefront of Popular Culture. The film showcases the dazzling skill and intricate choreography which have earned ballroom dance its enduring popularity. Beautiful filming and enchanting music underscore the sparkling costumes, the thrill of the competition, and the beauty of the art form on this DVD. DVD BONUS FEATURES:
Over 25 Scene Selections
Instant Access to Each Dance Style
Digital Dolby Stereo Audio
Digitally Mastered Audio & Video | | | Product Details: | | | Actors:
| Donnie Burns, Gaynor Fairweather, Marcus Hilton, Karen Hilton, Queirren Bailar | | Director:
| Jaroslav Gajda | | Format:
| Color, Dolby, DVD, HiFi Sound, NTSC | | Language:
| English | | Number of Discs:
| 1 | | Studio:
| V.I.E.W. Video | | Run Time:
| 60 minutes | | DVD Release Date:
| August 05, 2003 | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 12 reviews |
| | | | Used and New: | | | |
| All | |
| $8.53 | New | | | $8.54 | Used
- VeryGood | | | $8.55 | New | | | $8.71 | New | | | $8.82 | New | | | $9.91 | New | | | $10.24 | Used
- Good | | | $10.30 | New | | | $10.45 | New | | | $10.45 | New | | | $10.50 | New | | | $10.60 | New | | | $11.16 | New | | | $11.70 | New | | | $14.53 | Used
- VeryGood | | | $14.97 | Used
- Mint | | | $14.98 This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $16.72 | Used
- Mint | | | $16.72 | New | | | $32.35 | New | | | $58.30 | Used
- Good | | | $119.99 | New | |
| New | |
| $8.53 | New | | | $8.55 | New | | | $8.71 | New | | | $8.82 | New | | | $9.91 | New | | | $10.30 | New | | | $10.45 | New | | | $10.45 | New | | | $10.50 | New | | | $10.60 | New | | | $11.16 | New | | | $11.70 | New | | | $14.98 This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $16.72 | New | | | $32.35 | New | | | $119.99 | New | |
| Used | |
| $8.54 | Used
- VeryGood | | | $10.24 | Used
- Good | | | $14.53 | Used
- VeryGood | | | $14.97 | Used
- Mint | | | $16.72 | Used
- Mint | | | $58.30 | Used
- Good | |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 12 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 36 found the following review helpful:
Excellent ballroom video value with some flawsJan 21, 1999
By Warren J. Dew
This 60 minute video, produced in 1991, includes ballroom shows and competition finals in both the Latin and Modern (smooth ballroom) styles. Donnie Burns and Gaynor Fairweather, at the peak of their 13 year reign as World Professional Latin champions, do a five dance show; Marcus and Karen Hilton, early in their reign as World Pro Modern champions, do four dances. The competition includes many the top ranked Latin amateurs of the time, some of whom are were later in the top professional ranks; the Modern competition draws from the second tier of world class amateur competitors (still better than anyone then in the U.S.).
Contrary to the implication in the title, the video was not filmed at the International Championships in England, but rather at a competition in Czechoslovakia. The camera work presents the dancing very well, and the price makes the video an excellent value - most comparable ballroom competition videos go for $50-$100. True students of ballroom dance, however, will probably be bothered by the fact that the synchronization of the audio track to the video is off by as much as half a beat - as can be seen from the mismatch between the music and the audio sensitive floor lights. This lack of synchronization makes the competitors look off time, which somewhat spoils the effect; in the shows, perhaps because of the higher caliber of the dancers, the music sounds off time. Still, it's difficult to go wrong for a mere $20.
Note that in the DVD version, the audio track synchronization is better. However, I can only find three dances of the Hiltons' show.
22 of 22 found the following review helpful:
 Highly OutdatedAug 29, 2000
By Erin O'Rourke
"Gwytherinn"
(speaking predominantly about the Latin, being I don't really watch Standard)Dancesport is electrifying. This VHS is far from electrifying. Save the $ to put towards one of the more expensive, recent competitions. The music places you right back into the stereotypical, "ballroom dancing is for your grandmother" mindset. The costumes are absolutely hideous. Yes, there are people worth seeing on the tape such as Louis Van Amstel, Karen Hardy, Donnie Burns and Gaynor Fairweather, and Marcus and Karen Hilton but you can see them on the more up to date tapes. It's funny how dancing always seems to be a package deal. Neither costumes nor music make an impression, and this goes for the dancing as well. Don't get me wrong, these are talented dancers but you're not going to see their best performance here. I've watched the tape more than a few times to see if it would grow on me, but so far it just makes me cringe. The only salvageable part is the exhibition by Donnie Burns and Gaynor Fairweather. (and I would think if you like the Standard, Marcus and Karen Hilton) That's the only part I watch repeatedly.
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
The best value for the best ballroom dancing in the worldSep 26, 1998
I've bought many copies of this video in years as gifts to friends. If you want to know what is the internatinal (or English) style ballroom dance, I assure you this is the best value (at $ 20.00!)on the market to watch ballroom dance at its best. It has spectacular shows by Donnie Burns, Gaynor Fairweather and Marcus and Karen Hilton -- they are the top of the ballroom dancing world! Thanks to V.I.E.W, Inc. who produced this video! END
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Not What I Expected or WantedMar 10, 2007
By juuul
This is not the "International" in a classic London venue; it is a competition in Ostrava in a lack-lustre setting resembling a 1/4-filled gymnasium. The DVD production resembles an old home video: camera-work is mediocre, video quality (touted as "enhanced") is poor, sound quality is poor--on top of a very weak music presentation from the venue itself. Having seen in person most of these couples dance at better venues, this DVD did not do them justice. In short, it is a poor-quality production displaying the end of the era of British-defined/dominated International style competition ballroom dancing. I was greatly disappointed and would not recommend it.
7 of 8 found the following review helpful:
A Little scaryAug 07, 2004
By shandie
Ballroom and Latin dance has come a long way. Even though many of the dancers on the DVD are still at the top ranks of the pro circuit, this is NOT a great showcase. This is nice to watch in order to compare to the styles and skill of today, but not the kind of video you will watch over and over. The only truly spectacular dancing is that of Marcus and Karen Hilton (standard only). They were then, and are now quite amazing. For those of us in Canada, Alain Doucet and Anik Jolicouer are on this tape, briefly, in the Standard final.
See all 12 customer reviews on Amazon.com
| | |
|
