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IMDbPro

The Red Shoes

  • 19481948
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 2h 15m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
35K
YOUR RATING
The Red Shoes (1948)
Three Reasons Criterion Trailer for The Red Shoes
Play trailer1:39
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Romance
A young ballet dancer is torn between the man she loves and her pursuit to become a prima ballerina.A young ballet dancer is torn between the man she loves and her pursuit to become a prima ballerina.A young ballet dancer is torn between the man she loves and her pursuit to become a prima ballerina.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
35K
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Michael Powell
    • Emeric Pressburger
  • Writers
    • Hans Christian Andersen(fairy tale)
    • Emeric Pressburger(original screenplay)
    • Keith Winter(additional dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Anton Walbrook
    • Marius Goring
    • Moira Shearer
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Michael Powell
    • Emeric Pressburger
  • Writers
    • Hans Christian Andersen(fairy tale)
    • Emeric Pressburger(original screenplay)
    • Keith Winter(additional dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Anton Walbrook
    • Marius Goring
    • Moira Shearer
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 195User reviews
    • 119Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Oscars
      • 6 wins & 7 nominations total

    Videos2

    The Red Shoes: [Blu Ray]
    Trailer 1:39
    The Red Shoes: [Blu Ray]
    The Red Shoes
    Trailer 2:29
    The Red Shoes

    Photos279

    Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes (1948)
    Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes (1948)
    Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes (1948)
    Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes (1948)
    Robert Helpmann and Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes (1948)
    Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes (1948)
    Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes (1948)
    Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes (1948)
    Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes (1948)
    Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes (1948)
    Moira Shearer in The Red Shoes (1948)
    The Red Shoes (1948)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Anton Walbrook
    Anton Walbrook
    • Boris Lermontov
    Marius Goring
    Marius Goring
    • Julian Craster
    Moira Shearer
    Moira Shearer
    • Victoria Page
    Robert Helpmann
    Robert Helpmann
    • Ivan Boleslawsky
    Albert Bassermann
    Albert Bassermann
    • Sergei Ratov
    • (as Albert Basserman)
    Léonide Massine
    Léonide Massine
    • Grischa Ljubov
    • (as Leonide Massine)
    Esmond Knight
    Esmond Knight
    • Livy
    Austin Trevor
    Austin Trevor
    • Professor Palmer
    Irene Browne
    Irene Browne
    • Lady Neston
    Hay Petrie
    Hay Petrie
    • Boisson
    Eric Berry
    • Dimitri
    Derek Elphinstone
    • Lord Oldham
    Ludmilla Tchérina
    Ludmilla Tchérina
    • Irina Boronskaja
    • (as Ludmilla Tcherina)
    Marie Rambert
    • Madame Rambert
    • (as Madame Rambert)
    Michel Bazalgette
    • M. Rideaut
    Marcel Poncin
    • M. Boudin
    Yvonne Andre
    • Vicky's Dresser
    Joy Rawlins
    • Gwladys - Vicky's friend
    • Directors
      • Michael Powell
      • Emeric Pressburger
    • Writers
      • Hans Christian Andersen(fairy tale)
      • Emeric Pressburger(original screenplay)
      • Keith Winter(additional dialogue)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The title ballet sequence took six weeks to shoot and employed over 120 paintings by Hein Heckroth. The dancing newspaper was achieved through careful cutting and use of wires.
    • Goofs
      Near the end, when Vicky is getting ready to go on stage for "The Red Shoes" once again, she's wearing the red dancing shoes, but the play starts with the white dancing shoes; only during the play does her character find the red shoes and put them on.

      However, this is not an accidental goof. This is essential to the plot and the director wants us to overlook this detail so that all the symbolism of Vicky wearing those red shoes while "unable to stop dancing" can be fully explored.
    • Quotes

      Boris Lermontov: Why do you want to dance?

      [Vicky thinks for a short while]

      Victoria Page: Why do you want to live?

      [Lermontov is suprised at the answer]

      Boris Lermontov: Well I don't know exactly why, er, but I must.

      Victoria Page: That's my answer too.

    • Crazy credits
      The end of the film finishes with 'Finis' instead of 'The End'.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Screen Writer (1950)
    • Soundtracks
      The Ballet of The Red Shoes
      Music by Brian Easdale

      Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (as The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)

      Conducted by Thomas Beecham (as Sir Thomas Beecham, Bart.)

    User reviews195

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    (Top 10 pick) A superior film.
    I first heard of "The Red Shoes" when I read the liner notes to an album by the jazz/fusion group Weather Report, called "Tale Spinnin'". Therein it said that saxophonist Wayne Shorter had seen the film a few dozen times. Intrigued, I watched it when I noticed it in the TV listings. What a discovery!

    With its focus on the tangle of lives of a ballerina, a composer, and a dictatorial impresario who uses them both, the story may have elements of a soap opera, but it's a superior soap opera. What appealed to Shorter, I'm sure, is the film's depiction of the artists' creative process. It may have been done better elsewhere, but I haven't seen it. Besides that, it's beautifully directed, beautifully photographed and sumptuous to look at throughout. The surreal title ballet is performed in a segment that is stunning, and I'm not just using that word as a cliche.

    Anton Walbrook stands out as Lermontov, leader of the ballet troupe. There are many real-life artists from the ballet world in the film, including Leonide Massine and Robert Helpmann. Massine is particularly effective.

    Don't be put off by the notion that this is some effete art film; it's high quality AND accessible. Anyone who enjoys art (especially ballet), romance or just plain good moviemaking owes it to themselves to see it.
    helpful•70
    15
    • Hermit C-2
    • Apr 22, 1999

    FAQ17

    • What is "The Red Shoes" about?
    • Is "The Red Shoes" based on a book?
    • Is a copy of Andersen's "The Red Shoes" online?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 6, 1948 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Rdeči čeveljčki
    • Filming locations
      • Hotel de Paris, Place du Casino, Monte Carlo, Monaco
    • Production companies
      • The Archers
      • Independent Producers
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $30,846
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 15 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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