Lord of the Dance (DVD, 1999)

My wife and I won free tickets to see "Lord of the Dance" on a tour stop in Lincoln NE 02/23/09. We held off on seeing this DVD until we had the chance to see the live stage production. I can say with great certainty that this DVD exceeds our expectations. And a lot better than the live stage experience.

This DVD was created when Michael Flatley was still in the star role as the lead dancer. His expertise and command of his dance moves was spell binding. He made heel clicks sounds like a morse code telegraph key going supersonic! The dancers in the rest of the troupe were all skilled.

The DVD gives you extra views and angles that our live stage production didn't. It included above stage shots, showing the dancers' formations and a few below floor shots, showing Michael's flashing feet. And there were a few closeups that clearly showed the dancers' faces as they performed.

My favorite dance segment was "Breakout". I'm a happily married man so I was both shocked and surprised when the female dancers ripped off their dance dresses to reveal bras, panties and hoses. And they did their dance number with a sexual, provacative style.

Of course, the male dancers were equally good looking and looked strong in their group performances. I'm sure my wife got her "thrills" when Michael turned around and did a pelvic gyration that would make Elvis turn red!!

This DVD captures the essence of Michael Flatley's creative work and showcased his world class dancing skills. I understand that he is retired from dancing, but he is still very involved in producing "Lord of the Dance" and two other dance productions, "Feet of Flames" and "Celtic Tiger".

I would suggest getting this DVD first. Then you can get the next two DVDs so you can continue to enjoy irish dancing and Celtic music at its finest. LJK.

If you enjoy unique entertainment which includes a combination of creative and traditional dance, high quality theatrical and musical performances, then you will completely enjoy this DVD. Although it has been out awhile now, it is still exciting to watch every single time. For me, it ranks up there with other excellent stage entertainment like Cirque Du Solei, but with it's own unique style. Michael Flatley was the first and most well known lead, male dancer, so this is the best of the series. However all of the DVD series are excellent and highly recommended. Excellent family entertainment.

After seeing portions of this show on public television, I couldn't wait to own a copy of it. The powerful music and passionate dancing touches anyone with even a slight interest in music and dance; the skill and showmanship of Michael Flatley is amazing! The cast and star of this show perform dance moves which seem superhuman at times, acting out one wordless story after another throughout the program, spiced with numbers of Celtic song and "dueling fiddles". Before the show is well begun, even an old cripple like me imagines leaping weightlessly through the air, or tapping out an incredible rhythm with my feet. My VHS copy gave out, but when my grandchildren fell in love with the music on CD, I had to get the DVD so they could see the dancing itself.

My all-time favorite musical video. No one can dance like Michael Flately and this movie explodes with his fast and furious dance steps. And let us not forget the rest of those marvelous dancers who made this one of the best dance movies of all time.

I first saw Michael Flatley and the Irish Dance Troop on Public TV and I was hooked for life by their style of dancing. The energy and art of the dance is amazing. It seems impossible for up to 100 dancers to hit the same step and rhythm simultaneously for a couple of hours but the camera shows it to be true. If you are tired the dance will energise you. Also, the story acted out in the dance is actually ancient Irish folklore with good and evil, Druid priests, and a good fairy and the Lord of the Dance in the mix. very professional and talented people provide the entertainment including violinists, flautists, solo singers and drummers as well as dancers. The whole production is very professionally executed and filmed. I have seen people who swear to 'hate' that kind of thing settle back and become absolutely enraptured once the music starts.