Product Details

• Actors: Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev
• Format: Classical, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Kultur Video
• VHS Release Date: October 22, 1991
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300175065
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #299,714 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An emotional and awe-inspiring balletic pair of superstars!, July 8, 1999

By 

Theodore G. Mihran (Schenectady, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fonteyn and Nureyev: The Perfect Partnership [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I started following Rudolf Nureyev's career early in the 60's when I first saw him on a half-hour TV series (was it the Bell Telephone Hour? Does anybody remember?). I remember being stopped in my tracks as he projected his balletic magic even over my tiny TV. Then when I saw him dance "Romeo and Juliet" with the Royal Ballet, partnered with Margo Fonteyn, it was the high point of my ballet watching. I saw the movie four times, and in this video, the two most memorable scenes are repeated: the balcony scene, and the scene in the tomb in which Romeo dances with the seemingly-lifeless Juliet.

Margot Fonteyn (note that she gets top billing) is still my favorite ballerina, and Nureyev has always been, and will always be, my favorite male performer. They both project their personalities into their performances: he, with magnificient self-assuredness and astounding technique (especially in his younger days) combined with an amazing partnering ability which focuses your attention on the ballerina when it is her turn to display her talents. When they dance together on equal terms, as in the two scenes mentioned above, they project the perfect image of two lovers who almost dare not believe that love is happening to them. Could it be a reflection of their actual lives...?

Their personal lives are fascinating in themselves: Nureyev being born on a train in a desolate region of Russia and almost forcing himself as an outsider into official balletic circles; and Fonteyn, the "ideal" (in the sense that D. H. Lawrence uses the word, meaning "mental") accomplished dancer who. almost at the end of her career, is revitalized and sensualized by dancing with Nureyev, who is half her age.

Interviews with many notables are given in this video as they try to explain the magic of this ballet pair-of-the-century. But nothing can replace their actual gripping performances in "Marguerite and Armand" and "Le Corsaire" which are also presented in this video.

I would be very happy to hear from others who enjoy this video as much as I have.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars are not enough!, February 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Fonteyn and Nureyev: The Perfect Partnership [VHS] (VHS Tape)

No matter how many times I have watched this video I remain entranced. From time to time we are fortunate enough to witness magic, enchantment,something so beautiful it seems to be beyond all that is physical. Such is the partnership between these two people. Their personal lives tell of their ability to overcome great obstacles and adversity. Nothing stopped their creation of beauty, their pursuit of excellence and the inspiration and joy they gave to others. Having seen both of them dance, to be able to recapture the experience with this video is a delight. For those who never saw them, this offers an opportunity to experience the enchantment and magic of twolegends. For those who have seen either or both, this is the opportunity to relive the sheer joy. To the previous reviewer YES YES absolutely love this video, particularly scenes from Romeo and Juliet!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ballet, June 27, 2010

By 

N. Nelson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fonteyn and Nureyev: The Perfect Partnership [VHS] (VHS Tape)

If you love classic ballet, you can't watch this too many times. What a duo!