CINDERELLA:PROKOFIEV COVENT GARDEN - DVD Movie

Average Customer Review: ( 18 customer reviews )
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The recording seems to be dated, though. The colors look faded and the sound has been poorly recorded. Also, the story has been shortened. After the ballroom scene the prince - in the original third act - travels to foreign ountries (Arabia and Spain)to find Cinderella. This act has been ommited, which is a pity for it gives an excellent opportunity for character dances.

There are four other versions of the ballet. The one choreographed by Maguy marin for the Lyon Opera Ballet is a claustrophobic and anguished piece, recommended to those who are interested in psychoanalysis and the avant-garde. Nureyev's version for the Paris Opéra Ballet has Sylvie Guillem as its main point of interest. Her partner Charles Jude has few chances to dance and Mr. Nureyev doesn't even have a dancing part. The action has been brought to the Hollywood of the twenties.
The Bolshoi version is the closest to the original. Raissa Struchkova gives a rather naive interpretation but her dancing is vigorous yet refined. This version was filmed as a feature film, not in a theater. The sense of humour is rather heavy sometimes. Sound and color are passable. The last version on video I know is of the Sevchenko Ballet from the Ukraine. In my opinion it's the most interesting. Sound and image are finely recorded and the cast, although little known - whoever heard of Alexey Ratmansky? - dances beautifully. It's quite difficult to get, as it was recorded on laser disc.

33 of 36 found the following review helpful:

A Classic. Also funny. The children will like it, too.May 25, 1999

The Royal Ballet version of `Cinderella' is delicious - and an excellent choice for people who are new to ballet. (More experienced viewers might prefer more taxing choreography.)

This particular tape, however, has a terrific cast. It stars Anthony Dowell and Antoinette Sibley as Cinderella and her Prince - while the ugly sisters are brilliantly played by Freddy Ashton (the choreographer) and Robert Helpman. Wayne Sleep is there, too. Oh, and the music is glorious.

15 of 17 found the following review helpful:

Cameraman in the BalconyJun 08, 2004
By Energeticus
I would like to add to the negative reviews already posted the further comment that I have never yet seen a ballet so consistently photographed from a distance. Wide ensemble shots are often appropriate; but whatever acting and subtler gestural skills the dancers may have exhibited, not to mention costuming details, are almost entirely lost on the viewer. Closeups last for a few seconds at most, as if the filming director were afraid of letting makeup show. This was highly frustrating to me, as both Dowell and Sibley seemed to be in good form. Even in the solos and pas de deux segments the camera hangs awkwardly back as if the cameraman were unfamiliar with the piece and fearful of letting the principals unexpectedly dash off screen. Ballet is a pantomimic art, and a good visual recording should not relegate the viewer to the nosebleed seats.

11 of 12 found the following review helpful:

A Funny, Romantic Ballet With A Great ScoreMay 08, 2005
By C. O. DeRiemer
This filmed version of the Royal Ballet's 1969 Cinderella is a knock out, provided you're willing to accept it on its own terms. The DVD is a filmed record of the ballet's theatrical presentation. The camera takes in the stage in full shots, with medium and close-ups at times of the featured dancers.

What it makes it valuable is that this is the only record we have of one of the famed ballets of the Twentieth Century. What makes it so watchable, if you're so inclined, is a great score by Sergei Prokofiev, clever, funny, romantic, classic choreography by Frederick Ashton, a sumptuous production and superb dancing by Antoinette Sibley as Cinderella and Anthony Dowell as the Prince. They were the Royal Ballet's most famous and accomplished dancing pair after Margot Fonteyn and Rudolph Nureyev. And giving the ballet great verve and humor is Frederick Ashton and Robert Helpmann dancing the roles of the ugly sisters. Both were acclaimed premier dancers in their prime and had successful careers after, Ashton as one of Britain's great choreographers and Helpmann as an actor, choreographer and ballet manager. (You might remember Helpmann in The Red Shoes and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.) They provide the comic relief throughout the ballet. The sisters are man hungry, jealous of each other and of Cinderella and absolutely unconscious of how unattractive they are. Ashton and Helpmann are great in the roles.

The DVD is no marvel of clarity, but it's certainly watchable. It's well worth having if you like Prokofiev, if you like a classic of ballet, if you like two great comic turns...or if you like all three.

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:

But why region-encode it?!?!Aug 19, 2001
By Wildfire "quattro-media"
Neither this cast nor performance deserves less than praise. This is a priceless document for any fan of ballet and particularly fans of the Royal Ballet who might know a little about the figures involved. It must have given Helpmann and Sir Freddy huge enjoyment to do their parts knowing they'd forever be preserved on film! I need barely comment on the principals.

My only gripe is why did Kultur encode it as Region 1? Most studios don't bother with that sort of stuff for this kind of film. It's a british performance that deserves to be on the shelves in the UK! A "Covent Garden Pioneer" offering. And I say thank you to this American studio for producing it at all! Just a nuisance having to switch over my player. British customers should check their players can be rigged to region 1 before buying.

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