Product Details

• Actors: Michelle Mahrer, Nicole Ma, Gabrielle Roth
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: BBC / Opus Arte
• DVD Release Date: October 21, 2003
• Run Time: 240 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000DG048
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #202,059 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

"Dances of Ecstasy" is a 2 DVD set that explores how different people around the world connect with the transcendental forces through rhythm and dance. The first DVD is a sensory journey through rhythm, dance and music. Viewers visit Namibia, Korea, Nigeria, New York, Brazil, Turkey, Morocco, USA and Australia on a trance journey. The disc also features four illuminating documentaries about various rituals portrayed in the film and a commentary by the producers. There is also a closer look at a whirling dervishes festival. DVD 2 is a workout for the soul that invites viewers to join in and participate themselves with a complete "Power Wave" workout by New York urban shaman Gabrielle Roth, or dance on their own to the included tracks of global dance grooves – with psychedelic visuals by D-Fuse. This second DVD also features two "hidden" bonus videos by One Giant Leap and James Asher.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Set your spirit Dancing!, November 22, 2003

By 

L.S (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dances of Ecstasy (DVD)

This DVD is awasome in that is totally takes the viewer on a real journey into the EXPERIENCE of Trance Dancing. As a dancer myself and a teacher of ecstatic dance, I can't reccomend this DVD highly enough. By the end of the film all you want to do is get up and go wild dancing the night away in your living room. I have shared this DVD with friends and created whole magical full-on dance nights around it as there is not only the movie which is SUCH an invitataion to BOOGIE!!! But then there are all these COOL dance track to follow and a whole workout with Gabrielle Roth.
I feel this DVD is a uniqe item , one of it's kind as it lures you aurally as well as visually to strip away all inhibition, turn down the lights, pump up the music and unveil your ecstatic passionate dancer!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Contemporary practical mysticism for normal people., May 3, 2006

By 

Helle Kaasik (Tartu, Estonia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dances of Ecstasy (DVD)

The dynamics of the film follows the usual dynamics of most altered state rituals. The compilation of respective stages of trance-dance rituals from different cultures forms an united experience on its own. Well chosen music and (a bit naive) computer visuals do the smooth merging. But to stay interested the whole almost an hour of the film it is preferrable to be a type of person who can enjoy Discovery Channel and National Geographic. (Btw, an abridged version of the film is freely floating over the Net). More warnings: this is not an action film and not a romantic story, it is absolutely not the thing for a funny Saturday evening with beer, coca-cola and popcorn. Some scenes move near the limits of our cultural taboos - if you cannot stand the sight of people losing self-control, then better look for something else.

For people interested not only in enjoying the experience but also in understanding it, 5 original rituals are included in unmixed form on DVD 1. My favourites are San of the Kalahari and Yoruba - they seem to be very authentic and taken seriously. If I were an anthropologist... /big dreams dismissed/. Anytime, you can use the DVD as a catalyst to get different educated opinions on the theme.

DVD 2 consists of a nice new-age half-an-hour ecstatic dance workshop by Gabrielle Roth (worth trying, of course) and 14 trancy music videos by Crystal Silenz etc. These tracks are usable, but a bit soft and smooth for me. It is better to make your own compilation with your own favorites in right order and tempo for you, if you are determined to have a look from inside. Kalo taxidi! ;)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dances of Ecstacy - an inspiring and sensational DVD!, March 5, 2007

By 

Justine Bradley (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dances of Ecstasy (DVD)

This DVD is a work of art, filled with the beauty and power of music and dance, reminding us all that the potential for wonder and serenity lies in the total emergence of one's self in the moment of passion, and what a metamorphosis lies patiently in store for those willing to surrender to the joy of dance and music!