Product Details

• Actors: Maya Plisetskaya, Vladimir Vasilev, Alla Shcherbinina, Aleksandr Radunsky, Aleksandr Pavlinov
• Directors: Aleksandr Radunsky
• Writers: Aleksandr Radunsky, Pavel G. Malyarevsky, Vasili I. Vaynonen
• Producers: Aleksandr Radunsky
• Format: Classical, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Kultur Video
• VHS Release Date: October 22, 1991
• Run Time: 82 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301269977
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #345,235 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stars shine through., June 16, 2000

By 

Deborah Brooks (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Humpbacked Horse [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Despite the datedness of this production (including some primitive animation and an unintentionally funny undersea scene), it is well worth owning for the dancing and charisma of its two principals. In 1961, Maya Plisetskaya was considered by many to be the greatest ballerina of her time; Vladimir Vasiliev (now Gen'l & Artistic Director of the Bolshoi) was a rising young star of the Bolshoi. Plisetskaya's unusual strength and flamboyance created a unique presence, and Vasiliev's clean technique and unmannered style are admirable even by today's standards. Also very enjoyable are the Russian folkloric elements of the production, with wonderful character actors and dancers.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great ballet for children, April 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Little Humpbacked Horse [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is my daughter's favorite ballet. The story and presentation are children-friendly. And the absolutely fabulous dancing will make this a treat for adults. My family watches this ballet at least once a month.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unrefined Animation Treatment Fails To Spoil A Balletic Delight., December 19, 2005

By 

rsoonsa (Lake Isabella, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Little Humpbacked Horse [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This ballet, formed from a much beloved as well as archetypal Russian folk tale was created for the Bolshoi Ballet's Maya Plisetskaya by her husband, supremely skillful orchestrator Rodion Shchedrin, composer of the work. Lissome Plisetskaya's recognized strengths, here as the Queen Maiden, are clearly in evidence throughout the film: matchless elevation, splendidly disciplined movements, and emotional interpretation that covers a wide range. English ballerina Alicia Markova's published comment that Plisetskaya is incapable of completing fouttés is thoroughly discredited as the latter lightly tosses off more than the 32 of these demanding turns that have become traditional in the role of Odile in Le Lac des Cygnes, to which Markova refers. Plisetskaya is partnered here by a youthful Vladimir Vasiliev, (later both General, and Artistic, Director of the Bolshoi Theatre), whose acrobatic flair as Ivan is on display, his highly accomplished technique nearly matching in worthiness that of the great ballerina. Partly filmed during an actual performance at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow that utilizes original sets crafted for the piece, the narrative rhythm of the ballet is nearly daunted by an attempt to augment its essentially folkloric elements with primordial animation, in addition to superimposition and uninspiring table top models, but fortunately the narrative and dancing prevail. The Bolshoi's house Ballet Master, Alexandre Radunsky, not only choreographs and scripts the production, but also plays as the King, and Alla Scherbinina is wonderful as the Little Humpbacked Horse whose conjuring powers are of signal importance to Ivan, while the Bolshoi Corps and soloists are as accomplished as ever in secondary but crucial character parts. The film has no dialogue as produced by Mosfilm, and certainly none is required, but English language voiceover narration is added by Artkino and accompanies a Kultur release, not in the event inappropriate as it is spare while yet being descriptive of the storyline's progress. At any rate, all else fades from a viewer's attention when Maya Plisetkaya dances.