Product Details

• Actors: Ian D. Clark, Arlene Mazerolle, Kathryn Long, Thomas Jay Ryan, David Devine
• Directors: Alison Pill
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Digital Sound, Dolby, Full length, Full Screen, Surround Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: New Media Resources
• VHS Release Date: October 25, 1999
• Run Time: 55 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000365RX
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #198,846 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This 1999 Humanitas prize-winning video explores the intense working relationship of painter Edward Degas and ballerina Marie von Goetham. The story opens on a desperate and dispirited Degas forced into portraiture as a means of making a living. His disdain for "opera rats" turns to fascination when he encounters floundering ballerina Marie von Goetham. Degas becomes so obsessed with Marie that he hires her as a model, and the temperamental pair discovers a common devotion to their respective art forms. Through their relationship, Degas teaches Marie to ignore criticism, dare to make mistakes, and believe in herself. Marie teaches Degas to respect other people and, after he loses his own self-confidence, to live by his own advice--ignore criticism and believe in himself. This wonderful look at two struggling artists is full of beautiful dancing and fascinating glimpses of Degas at work in his studio. While the video is based mostly on conjecture and fantasy, the underlying messages--that artists pour great effort into appearing effortless and the portrayal of self-doubt as an insidious enemy that kills talent--are enduring truths relevant to any artist. (Ages 7 to adult) --Tami Horiuchi

From Parents' Choice®

Of special interest to both budding artists and dancers, this film only occasionally lapses into a moral lecture. See it for a glimpse of history. A 1999 Parents' Choice® Approval. (Yvonne Coleman, Parents' Choice®)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kids learn to love Degas in spite of himself, January 4, 2007

By 

Living With Passion (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Degas and the Dancer (DVD)

This was one of the movies in our VHS collection that had to be purchased again for our DVD collection. Our kids loved the videos from the artists series, and we loved watching the kids learn about the artists in a way that portrays them realistically and enjoyably...so we decided to buy them again!

Degas is a bit of a grump in this movie, but it's an honest portrayal of him, and a great opportunity for exposure to his art. Seeing what went into making his art made it all so much more real for our kids (and for us as parents!) and gave them an even greater appreciation for his works than they had before from just seeing them in art books on the coffee table.

The makers of this movie showed Degas in his humanness and his somewhat quirky personality; but they also caused the viewer to appreciate him in spite of his flaws as his relationship with the dancer unfolded and his art resulted. Each of the characters were laid out well, and the story line was threaded with lessons from life that we can all appreciate. Each of the movies that we've seen from this series have been about the artist(s) and a relationship with a child or children, making it more interesting for children to watch. The stories are very family-friendly and enjoyable for the whole family to watch together.

As an artist I appreciate movies like this that inspire my children and make the art in the books and museums seem more like "their own". Now when they see a Degas painting in a book or a poster or whatever, it's personal to them because they've seen the story behind the art and have discovered things about the artist that make it all more real to them. I've recommended the DVDs from this series to friends and family, and plan to continue to buy them not only for my children, but also as possible gifts for other children.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Does being a genius give you license to treat others badly?, September 12, 2001

By 

R. Levy "kids_first" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Degas and the Dancer [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This story is beautifully produced by the Canadian film company, Devine Entertainment, known for their commitment to excellent entertainment for older children. This biography shows Degas as a self-centered old man whose art is more important to him than people. A young ballerina, Marie, has a major influence on changing his attitudes and behavior. It begs the question, "Does being a genius give you license to treat others badly?" Our child viewers commented: "I learned about what it takes to be an artist." "I liked the way they all taught each other something. The painter taught her that if you don't make a mistake you'll never learn. She taught him not to be so grouchy and have respect for others." Most 8 to 12-year-olds will enjoy this, particularly girls, and girls interested in dance will dance with joy!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Degas and the Little Dancer, August 21, 2008

By 

Lynn Ellingwood "The ESOL Teacher" (Webster, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Degas and the Dancer (DVD)

This is a very nice children's dvd about a famous artist, Edgar Degas. It is a simple tale of a girl from a poor family, an artist, and big sister with big ambition but little heart. From this video, kids can learn more about Degas the painter, Impressionism, ballet dancing and French society at the time. I bought it to go with a Little Dancer statue I bought when the Little Dancer was shown in my area. I also use books about France, painting and ballet to teach my unit. Kids who are interested in Impressionism, Degas and ballet will love this DVD. Recommended.