• Three Reasons: The Red Shoes

    Three Reasons: The Red Shoes Three Reasons: The Red Shoes

    Those are our three reasons. What are yours?

    Video, Three Reasons

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14 comments

  • By Gianna Wichelow
    March 16, 2011
    04:52 PM

    All three of yours, and that magic that Pressburger and Powell combined so superbly: earthy reality and supernatural romanticism.
    Reply

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  • By David Hollingsworth
    March 16, 2011
    05:01 PM

    1) It is one of Martin Scorsese's most favorite films. 2) Moria Shearer's breakthrough performance. 3) The haunting, dream-like central dance sequence. Cheats: 4) Jack Cardiff's immaculate technicolor cinematography. 5) It is a Powell & Pressburger film. 6) The backstage/dance film to end them all.
    Reply

  • By Gareth Moses
    March 16, 2011
    05:39 PM

    You've nailed the best reasons but here's some supplementary ones... 1. Boris Lermontov - Director Michael Powell's voice in the film. 2. Brian Easdale's phenomenal score. 3. It's one of the few films that is truly re-watchable, revealing more layers of beauty each time.
    Reply

  • By thevoid99
    March 16, 2011
    09:06 PM

    1. The ballet itself. 2. The restoration by Martin Scorsese. 3. The loads of special feature plus commentary by Jeremy Irons reading the book.
    Reply

  • By Matthias Galvin
    March 17, 2011
    02:04 AM

    1: the technique; how is it the Powell and Pressburger knew when to cut and when to leave it wide? How did they so effortlessly marry rhythm with composition? 2: Anton Walbrook. To double-bill this with La Ronde, one wouldn't think it's the same man. 3: the color. Intense without being gaudy; shadows that aren't just black; literally dancing light; those sets!
    Reply

  • By Maggy Lind
    March 17, 2011
    05:15 PM

    three more reasons 1) the wonderful cast of characters 2) the European scenery 3) the costumes A must have treasure for every movie lover!
    Reply

  • By Federico Casal
    March 17, 2011
    07:06 PM

    1) Ballet sequence with amazing music specially made for the film. 2) Strikingly beautiful photography. It not only transports us easily back to the 40s but also show a tasty set of colors. 3) Moira Shearer and Anton Walbrook. The first, amazing dancer and actress. The second, a legend with the most refined and subtly expressive acting. I have an enormous poster on the back wall of my bedroom. This film must be simply put in the top 10 of all time. What a journey! What a restoration by Criterion!
    Reply

  • By Bill Rosenfield
    March 17, 2011
    07:37 PM

    1. Anton Walbrook and the dismissive and condescending way he says : "Good Morning" to Marius Goring. And that Dressing Gown! 2. The sense of excitement as the clack barrels up the stairs to the upper circlein the opening and their passion for ballet. 3. The sheer intensity of the entire experience - the color, themusic, the story every element is a feast.
    Reply

  • By Emily Kugler
    March 17, 2011
    11:56 PM

    1) Amazing performances, especially by Anton Walbrook and Moria Shearer. 2) As a child, it made me think about how I defined art, beauty, and craftsmanship; as an adult, it inspires me to keep pursuing my career. 3) It is simply one of the best films ever according to almost any criteria!
    Reply

  • By Patricia Contino
    March 18, 2011
    11:25 AM

    1. "The Ballet of the Red Shoes" is so beautiful! I always see something new in it. 2. Jack Cardiff's cinematography & Brian Easdale's original score 3. The participation of three key figures in 20th century ballet: Leonid Massine, Sir Robert Helpman, and Dame Moria Shearer
    Reply

  • By Jaime Fowler
    April 12, 2011
    05:07 PM

    1. Michael Powell's command of this film made Scorsese a lifetime fan. 2. Jack Cardiff's incredible photography. 3. Robert Helpmann's wicked sense of humor shines through like Moira Shearer's flaming red hair.
    Reply

  • By Thomas J.
    April 13, 2011
    10:20 AM

    1. Moira Shearer 2. Moira Shearer 3. Moira Shearer
    Reply

  • By Alex Fraser
    May 14, 2011
    07:31 PM

    1. Life imitating Art 2. The parallel between the film's story and the Diaghilev/Nijinsky tragedy. 3. The fact that Leonid Massine, the creator of "The Red Shoes Ballet," was an actor in that tragedy and created "The Rites of Spring Ballet" which precipitated the whole thing.
    Reply

  • By Dan Ostrov
    October 01, 2012
    12:52 AM

    1. The ballet in the middle of the film is simply the best scene I have ever seen in a film. The rapid succession of surreal technical tricks is dazzling. Its rapid shift away from reality is breathtaking. It's passionate, beautiful, emotional, and imaginative. And those colors. God, those colors. 2. Moira Shearer - an amateur as an actress, yet she's completely sympathetic. Anton Walbrook - a professional actor you can't help but be mesmerized by. 3. Passion for your work/art vs. passion for your personal life. No easy answers. You watch the war for balance between these two in this film and think about it in your life.
    Reply

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