Films about ballet dancers often showcase the beauty, discipline, and passion of this art form. They typically explore the challenges and triumphs of dancers as they pursue their dreams against the backdrop of a highly competitive and demanding profession.
“The Red Shoes”, 1948
Director: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
This classic film directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger follows the story of a young ballerina torn between her love for a composer and her devotion to dance. The film is renowned for its stunning visuals and compelling storytelling.
Starring: Moira Shearer, Marius Goring, Anton Walbrook, Robert Helpmann, Albert Bassermann, Ludmilla Tchérina, Esmond Knight, Austin Trevor, Irene Browne, Hay Petrie, Eric Berry, Derek Elphinstone, Marie Rambert, Michel Bazalgette, Marcel Poncin, Yvonne Andre, Joy Rawlins, Jean Short, Gordon Littmann, Julia Lang, Bill Shine, Jerry Verno, Alan Carter, Joan Harris, Joan Sheldon, Paula Dunning, Brian Ashbridge, Denis Carey, Lynne Dorval, Helen Ffrance, Robert Dorning, Eddie Gaillard, Paul Hammond, Tommy Linden, Trisha Linova, Anna Marinova, Guy Massey, John Regan, Peggy Sager, Ruth Sendler, Hilda Gaunt, Neville Astor, Edmond Audran, Mark Baring, Peter Bayliss, Michael Bayston, Leonard Boucher, Robin Burns, Anne Byatt;
Production year: 1948;
Genre: drama, melodrama, music;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “The Red Shoes” on the website imdb.com
“Black Swan”, 2010
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Directed by Darren Aronofsky, this psychological thriller stars Natalie Portman as a talented but troubled ballet dancer who becomes increasingly obsessed with her role in “Swan Lake”. The film delves into the intense pressures of ballet and the toll it takes on the protagonist's mental health.
Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder, Sebastian Stan, Toby Hemingway, Benjamin Millepied, Ksenia Solo, Kristina Anapau, Janet Montgomery, Sergio Torrado, Mark Margolis, Tina Sloan, Abraham Aronofsky, Charlotte Aronofsky, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Shaun O'Hagan, Chris Gartin, Deborah Offner, Stanley Herman, Michelle Rodriguez Nouel, Kurt Froman, Marty Krzywonos, Leslie Lyles, John Epperson, Arkadiy Figlin, Tim Fain, Sarah Lane, Liam Flaherty, Patrick Heusinger, Olga Kostritzky, Christine Redpath, Alexandra Damiani, Rebecca Azenberg, Laura Bowman, Holly L. Fusco, Abigail Mentzer, Barette Vance, Lillian di Piazza, Megan Dickinson, Jessy Hendrickson, Geneviève Lebean, Rachel Jambois, Ryoko Sadoshima, Kaia A. Tack, Lauren Fadeley, Sarah Hay, Adrianna de Svastich;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 103 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Black Swan” on the website imdb.com
“The Turning Point”, 1977
Director: Herbert Ross
Directed by Herbert Ross, this film revolves around the lives of two ballet dancers who meet again after years apart. As they reminisce about their past, they confront the choices they made and the sacrifices they endured for their careers.
Starring: Anne Bancroft, Shirley MacLaine, Tom Skerritt, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Leslie Browne, Martha Scott, Antoinette Sibley, Alexandra Danilova, Starr Danias, Marshall Thompson, James Mitchell, Daniel Levins, Scott Douglas, Lisa Lucas, Phillip Saunders, Jurgen Schneider, Dennis Nahat, Anthony Zerbe, The Artists of American Ballet Theatre, Lucette Aldous, Fernando Bujones, Richard Cragun, Suzanne Farrell, Marcia Haydée, Peter Martins, Marianna Tcherkassky, Clark Tippet, Martine Van Hamel, James Crittenden, Donald Petrie, Hilda Morales, Saax Bradbury, Alexander Minz, Howard Barr, Martha Johnston, Anne Barlow, Enrique Martinez, Nanette Glushak, Bob Harks, Charles Ward, Rebecca Wright;
Production year: 1977;
Genre: drama, melodrama, music;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “The Turning Point” on the website imdb.com
“Center Stage”, 2000
Director: Nicholas Hytner
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, this film follows a group of young dancers as they compete for a spot in a prestigious ballet company. The movie explores the personal struggles and professional rivalries that arise within the competitive world of ballet.
Starring: Amanda Schull, Zoe Saldana, Susan May Pratt, Peter Gallagher, Donna Murphy, Ethan Stiefel, Christine Dunham, Stephen Stout, Maryann Plunkett, Laura Hicks, Barbara Caruso, Jeff Hayenga, Victor Anthony, Karen Shallo, Carlo Alban, Giselle Daly, Shakiem Evans, Ilia Kulik, Sascha Radetsky, Lisa LeGuillou, Robert Montano, Megan Pepin, Victoria Born, Kirk Peterson, Julie Kent, Debra Monk, Sandra Brown, Elizabeth Gaither, Oksana Konobeyeva, Ekaterina Chtchelkanova, Elizabeth Hubbard, Eion Bailey, Nancy McDoniel, Sandy Hamilton, Olga Merediz, Elvis Crespo, Giselle Tcherniak, Jamie Bonelli, Micki Paley, Randy Pearlstein, Nancy Hess, Lovette George, Priscilla Lopez, Brenda Denmark, Warren Carlyle, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Kari Thompson, Aesha Ash, Sean Stewart, Ashley L. Anderson;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, melodrama, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Center Stage” on the website imdb.com
“Billy Elliot”, 2000
Director: Stephen Daldry
Directed by Stephen Daldry, this heartwarming film tells the story of an 11-year-old boy from a working-class family who discovers a passion for ballet. Set against the backdrop of the 1984–85 miners' strike in County Durham, England, the film celebrates the transformative power of dance.
Starring: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Gary Lewis, Jean Heywood, Jamie Draven, Stuart Wells, Mike Elliot, Billy Fane, Nicola Blackwell, Carol McGuigan, Joe Renton, Colin MacLachlan, Janine Birkett, Trevor Fox, Charlie Hardwick, Denny Ferguson, Dennis Lingard, Matthew James Thomas, Stephen Mangan, Paul Ridley, Patrick Malahide, Barbara Leigh-Hunt, Imogen Claire, Diana Kent, Neil North, Lee Williams, Petra Siniawski, Merelina Kendall, Zoë Bell, Tracey Wilkinson, Merryn Owen, Adam Cooper, Dylan Barnes, Liam Elcoat, Adam Galbraith, Darren Jacobs, Hendrick January, Sharon Percy, Ken Richardson, Leonard Silver, Lee Smikle, Catherine Turgoose, Damian Winter-Higgins;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
These films capture the grace, dedication, and emotional complexity of ballet dancers, offering audiences a glimpse into the captivating world of dance.
The selection of films about ballet dancers offers a captivating exploration of the beauty, passion, and sacrifice inherent in the world of dance. Each film portrays the grace and determination of ballet dancers, delving into their personal struggles, triumphs, and the transformative power of their art. From classic tales of love and rivalry to modern interpretations of the dance world, these films showcase the indomitable spirit of ballet dancers and the art form that consumes their lives. Through stunning choreography, emotive performances, and compelling storytelling, these films bring the enchanting world of ballet to life, leaving audiences mesmerized by the dedication and artistry of these remarkable performers.
