The Red Shoes (1948)

A young ballet dancer is torn between the man she loves and her pursuit to become a prima ballerina.

Directors:

Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger

Writers:

Hans Christian Andersen (fairy tale), Emeric Pressburger (original screenplay)

Stars:

Anton Walbrook, Marius Goring, Moira Shearer

Won 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anton Walbrook	...	Boris Lermontov
Marius Goring	...	Julian Craster
Moira Shearer	...	Victoria Page
Robert Helpmann	...	Ivan Boleslawsky
Albert Bassermann	...	Sergei Ratov (as Albert Basserman)
Léonide Massine	...	Grischa Ljubov (as Leonide Massine)
Esmond Knight	...	Livy
Austin Trevor	...	Professor Palmer
Irene Browne	...	Lady Neston
Hay Petrie	...	Boisson
Eric Berry	...	Dimitri
Derek Elphinstone	...	Lord Oldham
Ludmilla Tchérina	...	Irina Boronskaja (as Ludmilla Tcherina)
Marie Rambert	...	Madame Rambert (as Madame Rambert)
Michel Bazalgette	...	M. Rideaut

Storyline

Under the authoritarian rule of charismatic ballet impressario Boris Lermontov, his proteges realize the full promise of their talents, but at a price: utter devotion to their art and complete loyalty to Lermontov himself. Under his near-obsessive guidance, young ballerina Victoria Page is poised for superstardom, but earns Lermontov's scorn when she falls in love with Julian Craster, composer of "The Red Shoes," the ballet Lermontov is staging to showcase her talents. Vicky leaves the company and marries Craster, but still finds herself torn between Lermontov's demands and those of her heart.

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Plot Keywords:

ballet | ballerina | dancer | dance | composer | 

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Taglines:

Between her art ... and her dreams ... was her heart

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally, this was designed to be a vehicle for Merle Oberon. However, Michael Powell stipulated that the only condition under which he would make the film was that the lead should be a dancer.

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Goofs

When Vicky begins to dance with the "newspaper" character, only the words "Le Journal" are typed across his face. Partway through the dance, his face is covered with newsprint.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[holding doors closed]
Doorman: They're going mad, sir. It's the students.
[From outside]
Julian Craster: Down with tyrants!
Manager, Covent Garden: All right, let them in.

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Crazy Credits

The end of the film finishes with 'Finis' instead of 'The End'.

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Connections

Featured in The Story of Film: An Odyssey: Post-War Cinema (2011)

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Soundtracks

Aria
(uncredited)
Sung by Margherita Grandi

User Reviews

P&P's Masterpiece

I have seen this film about 30 times in 30 years and for me this film will always be special. Astonishingly, my wife, who is a Ballet Teacher, doesn't care at all for this film finding it too 'affected'. Perhaps as I am not involved with ballet at a professional level is a reason why I can enjoy this vibrant, colourful fantasy so much, but then our ballet friends adore the film, so who knows why this film affects some so profoundly (Spielberg&Scorsese!!) and not others. Anton Walbrook's authoritative performance is so memorable and Moira Shearer dances beautifully. Perhaps because the film is so highly charged with passion and emotion it will never please everyone, but I feel this is one of the great achievements of British Cinema and a film so rich and inspirational you will never wish to forget it.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English French Russian

Release Date:

6 September 1948 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Red Shoes

Filming Locations:

D&P Studios, Denham Studios, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP500,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$30,846

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Archers, Independent Producers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (as Colour by) (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1