White Nights (1985)

An expatriate Russian dancer is on a plane forced to land on Soviet territory. He is taken to an apartment in which a black American who has married a Russian woman lives with her. He is to... See full summary »

Director:

Taylor Hackford

Writers:

James Goldman (screenplay), Eric Hughes (screenplay)

Stars:

Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gregory Hines, Jerzy Skolimowski

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mikhail Baryshnikov	...	Nikolai 'Kolya' Rodchenko
Gregory Hines	...	Raymond Greenwood
Jerzy Skolimowski	...	Colonel Chaiko
Helen Mirren	...	Galina Ivanova
Geraldine Page	...	Anne Wyatt
Isabella Rossellini	...	Darya Greenwood
John Glover	...	Wynn Scott
Stefan Gryff	...	Captain Kirigin
William Hootkins	...	Chuck Malarek
Shane Rimmer	...	Ambassador Smith
Florence Faure	...	Ballerina (Death)
David Savile	...	Pilot
Ian Liston	...	Co-Pilot
Benny Young	...	Flight Engineer
Hilary Drake	...	Stewardess I

Storyline

An expatriate Russian dancer is on a plane forced to land on Soviet territory. He is taken to an apartment in which a black American who has married a Russian woman lives with her. He is to become a dancer for the Bolshoi again, but he wishes to escape, but can he trust the American?

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Plot Keywords:

escape | kgb | expatriate | ballet | cold war era | 

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Taglines:

A whole new motion picture experience is on the horizon.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Moive Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

6 December 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Nacht der Entscheidung

Filming Locations:

Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg, Russia

Box Office

Gross:

$13,046,465 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Delphi IV Productions, New Visions Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

136 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mikhail Baryshnikov reportedly was insistent with the film's producers that gramatically-correct Russian be spoken in the film instead of the often nonsensical hybrid often used in American motion pictures. Baryshinkov also did a scene in the film where he spoke French - in real life, it was his second language.

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Goofs

The aircraft in the opening sequences has antennas on the wingtips when in the air, but not when on the ground. See also the trivia entry.

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Quotes

Captain Kirigin: Colonel, there's something I think you should hear
Colonel Chaiko: [beat] Later. I'm busy.
Captain Kirigin: But sir ...
Colonel Chaiko: [raising his voice] Captain Kirigin, can't you see I'm busy?
Captain Kirigin: [smiles knowingly at Raymond] Very well, Colonel.
[beat]
Captain Kirigin: Later.

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Connections

Referenced in Mysteries of Love (2002)

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Soundtracks

People On A String
Written by Michel Colombier and Kathy Wakefield
Produced by Eumir Deodato and Roberta Flack
Co-Produced by Michel Colombier
Performed by Roberta Flack

User Reviews

The best ballet film ever

The plot of White Nights is well-planned, the script neatly written and two relatively unknown actors as the lead men - Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines - carry this feature well. The end result is a touching, funny drama with a romantic edge. It is, therefore, a good film in its own right. But the real reason to see it is for the spectacular dancing of Baryshnikov. I last saw the film - wait for it - in 1990 but it has remained one of the most moving films I have ever seen: so much so that it inspired me to pay a sizeable sum for the pleasure of seeing Baryshnikov dance at the Sadlers Wells Theatre in London in June 1999, 9 years later, having never thought I would have the opportunity to see my school-days hero live and in person...

Gregory Hines is a good second-lead (and has been much underused in films since), providing a sparring partner for Baryshnikov both in dance - as jazz/tap dancer vs ballet dancer - and to the benefit of the script. Isabella Rosselini plays a damsel in distress, complementing the duo and providing the romantic angle, balancing the story-line.

Overall it is a well-made film, though not the best ever, and if your interest lies about as far afield from dance as the local football field it is unlikely to appeal. But for anyone wanting to see a romantic 'weepie' it can provide a good slice of entertainment for a Sunday afternoon. And as for the dancing ... well, Baryshnikov was 37 then and I have never seen such athleticism and agility in a dancer of that age. Such expressive emotions come through his steps that he needs no words.

Without the dancing the film would undoubtedly have lost its true winning power, but with it may well have provided the motivation to dance for both children and adults ... I hope you enjoy it as much as I have

9 years later it is remains one of my top 20 best films.