Mikhail Baryshnikov choreographed this story based on Cervantes' 1605 novel of Kitri's Wedding Ballet. Performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, with Paul... more
This review already contains more than 120 words. As a Ciao member you could earn up to £5 with this review.
crowd-pleaser, but in an era when armchair ballet audiences have a huge selection of sure-fire winners to choose from it's worth reflecting on just why this production...
crowd-pleaser, but in an era when armchair ballet audiences have a huge selection of sure-fire winners to choose from it's worth reflecting on just why this production...
crowd-pleaser, but in an era when armchair ballet audiences have a huge selection of sure-fire winners to choose from it's worth reflecting on just why this production is so good. This is the 1983 Quixote from the New York Metropolitan Opera House, full-length and, indeed, full of merit. The staging is traditional and over-designed in the best possible way, with Brian Large's video direction capturing the whole apparatus with consummate skill (this is one of the few canned ballets which won't have you fretting over there being too many or not enough close-ups, tracking shots, wide-angle panoramas and so on--they're all there, and they're all uncannily where they should be) and with the cast seemingly having an enormous amount of fun, particularly Baryshnikov himself, whose twinkly eyed Basil is totally engaging. The most intriguing performance, however, falls to Richard Schafer as Quixote. Rather than allow the character to degenerate into buffoonery, Schafer depicts the elderly knight as mysterious and, indeed, almost mystical in his delusions; here, Quixote is not so much a clown but a seer, bearing a strange dignity which contrasts poignantly with the rumbustiousness around him--an elegant twist within an already very pleasing interpretation. --Roger Thomas
crowd-pleaser, but in an era when armchair ballet audiences have a huge selection of sure-fire winners to choose from it's worth reflecting on just why this production is so good. This is the 1983 Quixote from the New York Metropolitan Opera House, full-length and, indeed, full of merit. The staging is traditional and over-designed in the best possible way, with Brian Large's video direction capturing the whole apparatus with consummate skill (this is one of the few canned ballets which won't have you fretting over there being too many or not enough close-ups, tracking shots, wide-angle panoramas and so on--they're all there, and they're all uncannily where they should be) and with the cast seemingly having an enormous amount of fun, particularly Baryshnikov himself, whose twinkly eyed Basil is totally engaging. The most intriguing performance, however, falls to Richard Schafer as Quixote. Rather than allow the character to degenerate into buffoonery, Schafer depicts the elderly knight as mysterious and, indeed, almost mystical in his delusions; here, Quixote is not so much a clown but a seer, bearing a strange dignity which contrasts poignantly with the rumbustiousness around him--an elegant twist within an already very pleasing interpretation. --Roger Thomas
Actor(s): American Ballet Theatre, Cynthia Harvey, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Richard Shafer
Genre: Musicals & Music Films - Ballet & Dance
Classification: Exempt
Production Year: 1983
Running Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Plot: A Mikhail Baryshnikov production of 'Don Quixote' performed by artists from the American Ballet Company and the American Ballet Theatre Orchestra. Musical score by Ludwig Minkus.
Release details
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio(s): TELDEC VIDEO (WARNER CLASSICS); CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date: 09/04/2001
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: 0630 19399 2
Barcode: 0706301939925
DVD Description
Mikhail Baryshnikov choreographed this story based on Cervantes' 1605 novel of Kitri's Wedding Ballet. Performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, with Paul Connelly conducting.
Reviews which might be of interest for Don Quixote - American Ballet Theatre DVD
3 Similar Reviews of Lost In La Mancha DVD
The Curse Review ofLost In La Mancha DVDby
Matt.Blundell
Advantages: Fantastcally made Disadvantages: Painful to watch !
...DonQuixote has been referred to in the past as the first great modern novel.
DonQuixote was written by Spanish novelist and playwright Miguel de Cervantes and is not easily defined in a genre. Whilst it is funny it is certainly not a comedy but nor is it a drama or tradegy it is just a great tale.
During his travels on his faithful old horse Rosinante, DonQuixote's vivid imagination blinds him to reality: he thinks that the windmills he sees are giants, flocks of sheep massive armies. I'll not give the whole story away
You may not be surprised that this attempt by Terry Gilliam is not the first to bring Cervantes classic tale to the big screen. Orson Welles also tried and also failed in the task of producing a DonQuixote movie.
This documentary is absolutely gripping viewing, painful to watch in places. Never again will i...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Brilliant film and its British! Superb acting, superb soundtrack. Disadvantages: NONE
...Good British films come in several forms. There is the East End "hard man" cockney gangster flick e.g. Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Circus, Gangster No.1, etc. Then we have the dopey and simple comedy that often stars Hugh Grant (Bridget Jones Diary, Four Weddings and a Funeral, any other Hugh Grant movie…) Lastly we come to the comedy/drama category set in working class Northern England. In this category we've seen the Full Monty, East is East and most recently Billy Elliot.
When I first heard about Billy Elliot I was not particularly keen to see it - I mean, I am not exactly a fan of ballet. But when I finally did get around to seeing Billy Elliot I was extremely glad that I had seen it.
Billy Elliot is set in 1984 County Durham during the Miners Strike. The Miners Strike which was probably the most significant event in post...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: real dancers, talent, entertaining Disadvantages: may only be appreciated by dancers
...Dancers in a dancing film
I am sick of watching dancing films such as Save the last dance where the dancers are actors. For most people they can’t tell the difference, but for dancers it is the most frustrating thing ever. Centre stage uses dancers or doubles.
This film is about student at the AmericanBallet Academy in New York City. The main character Jodie Sawyer is a dancer who is not the perfect and has to overcome a lot to get to where she wants. The film covers many issues such as bulimia, dance, love, romance, homosexuality and heartbreak.
The back of the DVD says
“It’s not for the faint hearted. It’s for the most gifted and beautiful dancers alive. Supremely talented, vibrant and dedicated, these students sacrifice the ordinary pleasures of life for their art, whilst struggling with the normal joys and sorrows of youth...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
helpful 28.06.2007
Compare Don Quixote - American Ballet Theatre DVD to other similar Musicals & Music Films
Similar products and search queries by other users
Don DVD, Don Quixote DVD, Don American DVD, Don Ballet DVD, Don Theatre DVD, Don Quixote American DVD, Don Quixote Ballet DVD, Don Quixote Theatre DVD, Don American Ballet DVD, Don American Theatre DVD, Don Ballet Theatre DVD, Don Quixote American Ballet DVD, Don Quixote American Theatre DVD, Don Quixote Ballet Theatre DVD, Don American Ballet Theatre DVD
Are you the manufacturer / provider of Don Quixote - American Ballet Theatre DVD? Click here
![Don Quixote - American Ballet Theatre [1983]](http://picnic.ciao.com/uk/66338822.jpg)
22.01.2005
05.07.2002
28.06.2007
