Product Details

• Actors: Michael Pasternak, Agns Letestu, Jos Martinez, Karl Paquette, Paris Opera Ballet
• Directors: Franois Roussillon
• Format: Classical, Color, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (PCM)
• Subtitles: English, French, Italian, Spanish
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: BBC / Opus Arte
• DVD Release Date: July 29, 2008
• Run Time: 145 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0019MQBJW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,394 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #67 in Movies & TV > Blu-ray > Performing Arts

Editorial Reviews

TCHAIKOVSKY:SWAN LAKE - Blu-Ray Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A world-class performance!, August 25, 2008

By 

Warden Manford - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

To date this Blu-ray performance of Tchaikowsky's Swan Lake is the best I have seen! Rudolf Nureyev's professional direction is an art to behold. The dancers' choreography is balanced and symetrical as well as easily understandable. Also, if desired, infrequent English subtitles help clarify the story line. Absolutely enchanting!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too many negatives..., December 20, 2009

By 

Thomas E. Ascher (Sedona, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

I've been waiting for a blu-ray production of this ballet that is widescreen, superb picture and sound, that has wonderful performances, choreography and camera work. My wishes have been only partially realized with this performance.

On the plus side, Letestu is a plaintive, haunting, lyrical, captivating, Odette. Her Odile has a nice edge to it. Her dancing is superb. The camerawork and cutting is excellent giving depth and complexity to the performance that I enjoyed. Nureyev's extended choreography seems to have added variety and complexity to many of the corps scenes.

On the negative side, first, this is a minimalist production with mostly bare stage, little scenery, which stands in the way of my expectations for a mystical, ethereal experience. The most glaring fault, though, for me is the intrusive inclusion of the tutor/Rothbart character as a principal dancer, often competing with and interfering with the prince, making many of the dances pas de trois rather than deux. I understand that this was Nureyevs intent, his contribution and take on the ballet giving it his unique interpretation. This may work for some; it did not for me.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb dancing in this Nureyev choreographed Paris Opera production, August 13, 2009

By 

Mr. John A. Coulson "Tassie Devil" (Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)

The lead dancers and the Corps de ballet of Paris Opera ballet produce a near perfect performance of this work to the accompanyment of Tchaikovsky's glorious music. The Nureyev interpretation sometimes invokes unusually slow tempos which can take some getting used to and his adapting of the storyline to give a slightly more male focus is interesting. I have loved this ballet and its music for over 50 years now and never tire of it. This production is a gem with excellent audio and video and clever filming which shows the company at its best. Thoroughly recommended.

And it IS 16x9 - the Lawrence review refers to the other Decca Marinsky blu ray whic is the old 4:3 format and should be moved. Technically this release is first rate.

John