Product Details

• Actors: Maria Tallchief
• Directors: George Balanchine
• Format: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: KULTUR VIDEO
• DVD Release Date: September 30, 2008
• Run Time: 82 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001CK7OMO
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,989 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

DANCING FOR MR.B:SIX BALANCHINE BALLE - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars, November 1, 2008

By 

Ballet lover "on pointe" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dancing for Mr B - Six Balanchine Ballerinas / Moylan, Tallchief, Ashley, Kistler, Hayden, Kent (DVD)

This is a must see for anyone interested in dance, theater, or classical music, not just ballet. It's beautiful - the music, the pictures, the dancing, the memories, the eloquent dancers telling their stories and recalling humorous or painful memories as ballerinas in the greatest ballet comany in the world, the NYC Ballet, all of which shape our understanding and appreciation of George Balanchine, the famous Russian choreographer and its founder - and of ballet itself. It was touching - the awe, affection and excitment theses dancers still have for Balanchine even after all these years have gone by since they've danced and since Mr. B's death (with the exception of Darci Kistler who was not yet retired during this documentary.) Mary Ellen Moylan, the first great Balanchine dancer, recalls emotionally, "I shall never forget Balanchine. To this day he is present in my life. I even dream about him at night. And I carry with me the feelings of the things he gave us." All these dancers are very interesting people, not just great dancers. They are captivating to listen to. The dance footage in this documentary is extensive and wonderful, and very rare. I would have loved to see some of his even more prominent ballerinas featured though, the one's who had been trained by him since their childhoods, especially my favorites, Heather Watts or Marjorie Sphon. But overall it was a very moving documentary that I can imagine would have a profond affect on someone who knows nothing about ballet -that's how powerful it is.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FASCINATING DOCUMENTARY WORTH SEEING AGAIN, August 21, 2008

By 

Operaman! "dsoda" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Dancing for Mr B - Six Balanchine Ballerinas / Moylan, Tallchief, Ashley, Kistler, Hayden, Kent (DVD)

I first saw this on PBS - an anthology of interviews with six of the premiere Balachine ballerinas spanning a period of time from the late 40s up until Balachine's retirement and death. Each lady relates their experiences dancing "for Mr. B", with Maria Tallchief's interview being particularly illuminating as she was for a time his wife. The women have praise and admiration (and very little criticism) for their mentor and choreographer, and their work to keep his choreography alive for future generations. Sadly Melissa Hayden has passed on since this was made. Far more than the six represented here could have been part of this documentary (LeClerq, Kirkland, Watts, Farrell, McBride) and it would have been interesting to hear the male dancer's opinion (Martins, Mitchell, d'Amboise, Villella) but that would have required a series.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where is the movie on this great Artist?, January 18, 2009

By 

J. Rush - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Dancing for Mr B - Six Balanchine Ballerinas / Moylan, Tallchief, Ashley, Kistler, Hayden, Kent (DVD)

If you love ballet, you probably already own this. You most likely did what I did and bought on title alone. If you are interested in knowing why the world of dance still holds Balanchine in such high esteem, this will give you a great prespective. You will hear his dancers speak, and their stories are captivating. After watching this film, I believe you will walk away with a respect for his influence on the arts. If you seek out more information on Balanchine, I believe you will be amazed at his life. I truly believe that a great movie could be made about George Balanchine. He came from humble beginnings, came to America on his own as a young man, and changed the world of dance forever. His personal life is just as interesting-marriages to famous dancers (one struck down by Polio at 27), and a long life dedicated to his work. A complex man to be sure, and a legend that will never be replaced.