Isadora (1968)

A biography of the dancer Isadora Duncan, the 1920s dancer who forever changed people's ideas of ballet. Her nude, semi-nude, and pro-Soviet dance projects as well as her attitudes on free ... See full summary »

Director:

Karel Reisz

Writers:

Melvyn Bragg (adaptation), Melvyn Bragg (screenplay),

Stars:

Vanessa Redgrave, John Fraser, James Fox

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Isadora Duncan
John Fraser	...	Roger
James Fox	...	Gordon Craig
Jason Robards	...	Singer
Zvonimir Crnko	...	Essenin (as Ivan Tchenko)
Vladimir Leskovar	...	Bugatti
Cynthia Harris	...	Mary Desti
Bessie Love	...	Mrs. Duncan
Tony Vogel	...	Raymond Duncan
Libby Glenn	...	Elizabeth Duncan
Ronnie Gilbert	...	Miss Chase
Wallas Eaton	...	Archer
Nicholas Pennell	...	Bedford
John Quentin	...	Pim
Christian Duvaleix	...	Armand - a feeble pianist in love with Isadora

Storyline

A biography of the dancer Isadora Duncan, the 1920s dancer who forever changed people's ideas of ballet. Her nude, semi-nude, and pro-Soviet dance projects as well as her attitudes on free love, debt, dress, and lifestyle shocked the public of her time.

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Plot Keywords:

dancer | dance | ballet | 1920s | debt | 

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Taglines:

The Life and Many Loves of the Most Exciting Woman of Our Time

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

M

Details

Country:

UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 August 1969 (Finland)

Also Known As:

The Loves of Isadora

Filming Locations:

British Museum, Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hakim, Paris Film, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min 153 min (director's cut) 168 min (original release) 144 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When filming "the Russian dance sequence" in a theater filled with unsuspecting extras, Vanessa Redgrave duplicated a real-life incident in the life of Isadora Duncan by ripping off the top of her dress and dancing bare-breasted. The extras were not told that she would do this, thus providing the desired audience-aghast reaction shots that director Karel Reisz wanted.

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Quotes

Isadora Duncan: [about America] You were once wild here. Don't let them tame you.

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Connections

Referenced in Harry and Tonto (1974)

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Soundtracks

"Brahms 1st Symphony"
Composed by Johannes Brahms

User Reviews

Isadora Dancin'

ISADORA is one of those exquisitely produced big studio films of the late 60s that had a major release for 3 months and then vanished off the face of the earth forever. Some other titles this seemed to have happen to are; YOUNG WINSTON, NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA, MONTECARLO OR BUST (the other "Great Race" movie), STAR!, MAROONED, FINIANS RAINBOW, ON A CLEAR DAY, DARLING LILI....all presented in 70mm as souvenir ticket presentations in luxury cinemas of the time and then.....rarely revived or screened but also never forgotten, because so many people apparently saw them and remember them from this one major release. ISADORA may have been more financially successful than some mentioned above and it did have a huge impact on the beautiful Art Nouveau decor revival of the 60s (Art Deco ate the 70s..or vice versa). The look for the film was a sensation and the impact on teenage girls and their mothers was undeniable, all having a huge impact on free form ballet classes (nymphs and Grecian urns and veils) so hilariously satirized in THE BOYFRIEND in 1972. Vanessa Redgrave is synonymous with this role and one yearns for a cinema presentation of this extraordinary 20s icon now in 2005. I don't remember the film being overly criticized in 1968, it was a hit and respected for its tragic story and superb art direction. Several docos appeared on TV (one even being directed by Ken Russell) and there was quite a celebration of all things ISADORA and Vanessa in that year. But none since.