Please note that this BALLET is available from other distributors besides Studio Canal/Lionsgate. Be sure to check other releases for price considerations. If you're buying this for children, be advised that some of the characters might be a little scary, and younger children may need parental guidance. Also, this is a BALLET and is NOT a cartoon. Some children will not sit through this ballet, unless they know what a ballet is, and what to expect. This ballet is 90 minutes long, is filmed in the widescreen format, with good quality MONAURAL sound. It is filmed on a sound stage and is not a live production. There are some beautiful outdoor scenes of Potters own "Lake District" of the English countryside. The choreographer is Frederick Ashton of the Royal Ballet, and the dancers are all from the Royal Ballet, such as Lesley Collier and Michael Coleman who danced the lead roles in the ballet "LA FILLE MAL GARDEE". Ashton himself dances the part of Mrs Tiggy Winkle the Hedghog. Lesley Collier dances the part of Hunca Munca the wife of the little mouse Tom Thumb, an adorable pair. Michael Colman dances the part of Jeremy Fisher the leapfrog, and can he leap!! The beauty of the ballerina's feet is especially brought out in this ballet, because in their costumes, the feet are all that show. The music in this ballet is arranged by John Lanchbery, and I believe I heard strains borrowed from Adolphe Adams' "Giselle", and Massenet's "Manon", among other very beautiful pieces of music. Even though you may not have children at home, this a great ballet for adults to own. You might even be impressed by the dancing of the Royal Ballet, when you consider the confining costumes they are wearing.Read full review
I LOVE this DVD! My daughter just started ballet lessons and she loves to watch the whole thing as well as the individual stories. The settings are really cool (outdoors, etc) and the music is beautiful. The dances very much suit the personality of the characters, though some of the content is questionable for young ages (cat hunting mice, a weird fight/breaking of dishes by the mice...those naughty mice, some creepy gloomy facial expressions from "Beatrix"). It just depends on whether you have a sensitive kid or not. I would highly recommend this DVD.
This English ballet is spectacular and compelling. Anyone familiar with the Beatrix Potter stories will be delighted. The costuming and sets are marvelous, the dancing top natch. Lovely. I've giben copies to several friends who dance and they have all loved it. A classic.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Love it!!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
By no means just for children. This 75 year old and former children's librarian found it quite charming, although I speak as a life-long Beatrix Potter fan. The costumes, dancing -- even the countryside earn highest praise. How encouraging that such charm and innocence survive today. Now if there were only a Blu-Ray version.
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