Despite the immense beauty that can be conjured on stage in a ballet, there is often a savage drive behind the scenes which swirls around those intimately involved. The theme of creative drive and the lengths one will go to achieve perfection is nothing new, but it is a concept that has always yielded some of the most thought-provoking art. The world of ballet is especially rich with this, as you have movies such as Darren Aronofsky’s nightmarish masterpiece Black Swan shining a light on the way these dancers break their bodies for this gentle display of emotion. You could even count both versions of Suspiria, as there was an underlying aura of ruthlessness even before the witches came into play. It would be fair to say most films within this subgenre can attribute some of their existence to the 1948 drama The Red Shoes from the incomparable team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger (A Matter Of Life And Death). While not outwardly a horror film, there is an underlying menace to the film which sets it apart from “classic” comedy movie musicals as something incapable of being overlooked.
Loosely inspired by the classic fairytale of the same name by Hans Christan Andersen, the film follows the high-pressure microcosm of the Ballet Lermontov. The hypnotic opening sequence sets up everything we need to know about all of the key participants. At the latest performance from the company, there is a rush by the audience to get into the theater and devour the sensational work of art on display from prima ballerina Irina Boronskaya (Ludmilla Tchérina) and the rest of the company. Boris Lermontov (Anton Walbrook) is the enigmatic leader of the company whose love of the art form is only equaled by his disdain for the public. Julian Craster (Marius Goring) is the talented young music student who becomes disillusioned when he realizes his professor lifted his compositions for the show. Finally, there is young Vicky Page (Moira Shearer), a dancer in the audience who dreams of being on that stage one day. This night proves especially formative for the three as Boris sets both of the young people on a path of creative success and he gains new pieces to play with in his finely constructed world.
The film expertly showcases the creative drive of these participants and how that relates to their interpersonal dynamics. Julian gets further enmeshed within the company and begins composing truly stirring pieces that elevate them to new heights. Irina proves to be an example of a ballerina who does not have the will to choose to give her body over to dance over other interests such as having a family. This presents a runway for Vicky to ascend to this premium position with the guidance of Boris, a man plainly obsessed with the young dancer but in such a way that it seemingly transcends sexual desire. There is a level of control being exerted by Boris over the production which is palpable, which becomes an issue when Vicky becomes romantically involved with Julian. While Shearer was the perfect choice for Vicky due to her experience as a professional dancer prior to the film, she also proves her worth in the acting department as she has to wrestle over whether or not to lose herself to her artform or try to have a semblance of a personal life. These swirling questions come together in the most profound manner in the shocking climax.
It is in the buildup to the conclusion where the movie transcends into something more artistically fulfilling. In what feels very narratively daring, the film features a nearly twenty-minute ballet sequence from the titular production which allows the film to leave the realm of the believable. This fable parallels the movie narrative quite fantastically as it portrays a woman gifted with a pair of red shoes which allows her to dance perfectly but comes with the drawback of not being able to stop until it kills her. Powell and Pressburger utilize the awe-inspiring Technicolor in all of the ways the format feels like it was created to achieve. The lighting and costumes allow for a dreamy, impressionistic movement which is only accentuated by the atypical filmmaking style of the time of stylized editing choices, close-up shots and even some special effects that draw you into this fantasy. The way in which this ties into the ultimate fate of our characters is deeply affecting and elevates this into one of the great films of cinema. The film is daring and vital and is one that stays with you long after the music has faded out.
Video Quality
The Criterion Collection presents The Red Shoes on 4K UHD Blu-Ray with a miraculous 2160p Dolby Vision transfer sourced from a 2009 4K digital restoration of the original Technicolor 35mm Original Camera Negatives. For my money, The Red Shoes ranks among one of the strongest presentations I have ever seen for a film on 4K UHD. The film features some miraculous colors within the costumes and settings that pop off the screen with a vibrant intensity. The Dolby Vision offers a depth and stability of color that is frankly mind boggling. You only need to take a look at the lush colors in the ballet sequences to see what a stunning sight this presentation is overall. The same could be said of the natural tones that present with an immense complexity in the various lush outdoor locations. The black levels are simply perfect with nothing in the way of crush present, and white levels are solid as a rock with no trace of blooming.
The level of detail and clarity is stunning with the appropriate amount of natural film grain intact. The grain resolves quite well without ever being clumpy or unsightly. The texture on display in the costumes and within the production design are a revelation. Even facial details like the makeup of the performers present with impressive clarity. This presentation is true to the original look of the film without the added resolution making any settings seem out of place. The film is entirely free of dirt and damage, which makes the feature feel like it could have been made yesterday. There does not appear to be any jarring digital anomalies such as compression artifacts, banding or any other such nuisances. This presentation is an award-worthy effort from the team at The Criterion Collection.
Audio Quality
The Criterion Collection brings us this new 4K UHD Blu-Ray with a remastered LPCM 1.0 track that offers a very strong audio experience. The dialogue holds up quite nicely, coming though clearly without being stepped on by the music or other effects. The environmental effects are delineated nicely including the chatter of the patrons and the train going by on the highway. One of the most important aspects of the feature is the luscious score from composer Brian Easdale which sounds vibrant and lovely here. This track does not present with any glaring instances of age related wear and tear. This is a track that represents the film in a way that is practically perfect. Optional English (SDH) subtitles are provided on this disc.
Special Features
The Criterion Blu-Ray of The Red Shoes includes a booklet featuring the essay “Dancing For Your Life” by author David Ehrenstein in which he discusses the themes of the story, the real-life influences on the narrative, the legacy of the picture and more. This piece provides a great amount of context and insight into the film that is very worthwhile. There is also a brief piece on the film’s restoration by Robert Gitt, preservation officer of the UCLA Film & Television archive, which makes you especially grateful for how lovely the film looks. The on-disc special features are as follows:
- Audio Commentary: A 1994 commentary track moderated by film historian Ian Christie, featuring interviews with actors Marius Goring and Moira Shearer, cinematographer Jack Cardiff, composer Brian Easdale, and filmmaker Martin Scorsese. Superfan Scorsese waxes poetic about the impact the film had on the filmmaking aspirations of himself and his contemporaries such as Brian De Palma. Cardiff shares stories about having to immerse himself into the world of ballet which made him fall in love with the art form. The performers share some really wonderful insights about their time during the production of this film that complement all of the other wonderful insights provided by the other participants. This one is a wealth of information.
- The Red Shoes Novel: An option to watch the film with a 1994-era Jeremy Irons (fresh off his epic voice performance in The Lion King) reciting excerpts from Powell and Pressburger’s 1978 novelization of The Red Shoes. To hear this man read anything is a joy, but these passages are often just as engaging as the film itself.
- Restoration Demonstration: A four-minute piece hosted by Scorsese in which he breaks down the restoration process that was completed in 2009 with before and after comparisons that show off exactly how incredible this preservation effort was.
- Profile Of The Red Shoes: A nearly 26-minute documentary on The Red Shoes created in 2000 features interviews with film historian Ian Christie, cinematographer Jack Cardiff, camera operator Chris Challis, and family members of the film’s original production team. This provides rich detail on the circumstances leading up to the production, the inspirations for some of the characters, the innovative filmmaking techniques, the film’s legacy and more.
- Thelma Schoonmaker Powell: A 15-minute interview with Michael Powell’s widow and Scorsese’s long-time editor in which she discusses the preservation efforts, the art of restoring these films, the place of female editors throughout cinema history and more.
- Stills Gallery: Several collections of images are provided here including Cast and Crew, Filming In London, Filming In Paris, Filming In Monte Carlo, Deleted Scenes and Production And Costume Designs.
- Scorsese’s Memorabilia: A gallery of memorabilia from the film held by the great director including signed ballet slippers, screenplays and more.
- The Red Shoes Sketches: A 16-minute “animated film” constructed from the storyboard of production designer Hein Heckroth set to Brian Easdale’s score. This was used as the blueprint for the Red Shoes ballet in the film. It can be viewed with the Jeremy Irons reading of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Red Shoes, and side by side with the actual film.
- Theatrical Trailer: The two-and-a-half minute trailer is provided here.
Final Thoughts
The Red Shoes is a dazzling Technicolor spectacle that knocks you sideways with its daring narrative. The combination of flawless technical dancing and heart wrenching dramatic turns is pulled off in an expert manner by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Beyond just the aesthetics of the film, the ensemble delivers truly unforgettable performances, especially in the case of newcomer Moira Shearer. The Criterion Collection has released a new 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a stellar A/V presentation and a host of legacy special features that are very worthwhile. If you are a fan of the film, this is the essential way to view it at home. Highly Recommended
The Criterion Collection edition of The Red Shoes is available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: The Criterion Collection has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
