HOME   News   Reviews   Adv Search   Features   My DVD   About   Apps   Stats     Search:
  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Full Frame
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  Subtitles
  • None
  Extras
  • Web access - Link to NVC Arts website
The Glory of the Kirov
Warner Vision/Warner Vision . R4 . COLOR . 91 mins . G . PAL

  Feature
Contract

Officially renamed the St. Petersburg Maryinsky Ballet in 1991, the Kirov Ballet is one of the two major ballet companies of Russia - the other is, of course, the Bolshoi Ballet. In 1889, the Kirov was originally known as the Imperial Russian Ballet when it relocated into the Maryinsky Theatre.

Under the esteemed direction of choreographer Marius Petipa, the Imperial Russian Ballet premiered the Tchaikovsky ballets Sleeping Beauty in 1890 and Swan Lake in 1895. The company seemed destined for greatness when fate suddenly intervened and plunged the Soviet Union into civil unrest, which eventually accumulated in the tumultuous 1917 October Revolution.

The ballet company's fortunes were revitalised when the legendary teacher and ballet mistress Agrippina Vaganova helped preserve its heritage by training the company's principle dancers. In doing so, her work soon became the basis of all ballet instruction in the Soviet Union. In 1935, the Imperial Russian Ballet was renamed the Kirov Ballet, and is now often regarded as the most prestigious ballet company in Europe.

During the height of the Cold War, the Kirov Ballet experienced difficulties as several of its star performers - including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Natalia Makarova, and Rudolf Nureyev - defected to the West. In swift retribution, the Soviet government demanded that all existing footage of their performances be destroyed. Miraculously, some of that archival footage survived and can now be seen for the first time.

MIRIS, a documentary film company based in St. Petersburg, had dedicated five years to an intensive search of state archives, museums, and private collections. In the process, they had uncovered several previously unseen performances. Enlisting the help of international distributor, NVC Arts, the footage was then subjected to the latest video and audio re-mastering techniques.

That footage makes up The Glory of the Kirov, and much of it is certain to be a revelation to connoisseurs of fine ballet - including extracts from the Viennese Waltz, The Tale of Serf Nikish, Romeo and Juliet, and Le Corsaire.

  Video
  Audio
  Extras
Contract

The Glory of the Kirov is presented in a 4:3 screen aspect ratio. Hence, it is full screen.

With the exception of Swan Lake and The Dying Swan, the rest of the performances are filmed in black and white. There are no evident MPEG artifacts, although there is an abundance of film artifacts and grain in some of the footage - most notably in Pars de Quatre and Spartacus, which also contain some major print damage. Details are generally sharp, given the nature of the source material, while blacks are quite solid.

The Glory of the Kirov is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 and mono. There is frequent low level noise, consisting mainly of minor hissing. Most prominently, the aforementioned Pas de Quatre and Spartacus exhibit deep sound pops and noticeable drop in audio quality. But, other than in these two reels, the low level noise is not too intrusive.

There are no extras, other than a web link to the NVC Arts website.

It must be remembered that some of these archival records have not been afforded the proper dignity and respect they deserve. It is also obvious that, at the time of their re-discovery, some of the film negatives had deteriorated severely - even with the wondrous advantages that digital technology has to offer, no amount of restoration will fully restore a damaged negative.

Although flawed, The Glory of the Kirov belongs in the DVD collection of any connoisseur of the fine arts - if nothing else but to see Makarova, Nureyev, and Baryshnikov perform with the athleticism, artistry, and sheer grace that is typical of these angelic dancers.


  • LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=588
  • Send to a friend.
  • Do YOU want to be a DVDnet reviewer? If so, click here

    Cast your vote here: You must enable cookies to vote.
  •   And I quote...
    "... Certain to be a revelation to connoisseurs of fine ballet..."
    - Shaun Bennett
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Panasonic SC-HT80
    • TV:
          Panasonic TX-43P15 109cm Rear Projection
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard Optical
    • Video Cables:
          standard s-video
      Recent Reviews:
    by Shaun Bennett

    Engelbert Humperdinck - Live
    "With his superlative vocal technique, smouldering sensuality, and acute witticism, Humperdinck exudes radiance in a concert performance that borders on the sublime..."

    Illuminations - The Tea Party Collection
    "Currently, this stands as the definitive pictorial document of a formidable group who, despite the never-ending comparisons and ridicule, seem destined for greatness. Highly recommended..."

    Tangerine Dream - The Video Dream Mixes
    "The digital equivalent of an acid-fueled hallucinogenic experience, featuring a mind-altering barrage of ethereal imagery set to pulsating trance-orientated electronica... "

    Cleopatra - Special Edition
    "Maligned and misunderstood, Cleopatra can be perceived as either a forgotten classic or as a grand folly... "

    What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?
    "Ample proof, if needed, that a sequel does not necessarily equal... Few moments of brilliance cannot save the film’s lack of direction or characterisation... "

      Related Links
      None listed

     

    Search for Title/Actor/Director:
    Google Web dvd.net.au
       Copyright © DVDnet. All rights reserved. Site Design by RED 5   
    rss