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VHS : Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake [1996]
starring: Adam Cooper, Scott Ambler, Fiona Chadwick, Barry Atkinson, Emily Piercy
directed by: Matthew Bourne, Peter Mumford
directed by: Matthew Bourne, Peter Mumford
![: Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake [1996]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31QNW91C5EL.jpg)
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: Exempt Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 5024165598948 Format: Classical, Colour, HiFi Sound, PAL Label: Warner Music Vision Manufacturer: Warner Music Vision Number Of Discs: 1 Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Warner Music Vision Release Date: November 11, 1996 Running Time: 120 minutes Sales Rank: 3888 Studio: Warner Music Vision Theatrical Release Date: June 10, 1998 |
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Related Items:
- Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker
- The Car Man [2001]
- Christopher Bruce's Triple Bill
- DV8 - Three Ballets By DV8 Physical Theatre
- Matthew Bourne and His Adventures in Motion Pictures
- see more
Editorial Review:
Amazon.co.uk Review:
This Swan Lake was the unexpected popular hit of 1996, when radical choreographer Matthew Bourne took Tchaikovsky's traditional ballet by the scruff of the neck and reworked it with a myriad of modern influences and themes to astonishing effect. Seldom have the dark psychological riptides at the heart of so many classical ballets been so brilliantly exposed. The Prince (Scott Ambler) is a wretched and dissolute young man dominated by his mother, the Joan Collins-like Queen (Fiona Ambler). Shades of Tennessee Williams, indeed. Von Rothbart becomes a press secretary, more sinister éminence grise than hissable villain. Most startling of all, The Swan (Adam Cooper) is a muscular, emphatically masculine male.
Bourne has stressed the universality of his interpretation, which proved such a success for his Adventures in Motion Pictures dance company. And indeed this is never an overtly 'gay' Swan Lake, although the electricity of the pas de deux at the height of Act 2 delivers a palpably homoerotic charge. Its universal threads--as Bourne suggests, the need to be held and understood is common to us all--are synthesised in the utterly moving conclusion as the Swan cradles the lifeless Prince and raises him to a better place. Swan Lake becomes a human, rather than simply romantic, tragedy.
On the DVD: Swan Lake is presented in full screen 4:3 video format and this version would certainly have benefited from widescreen to show off the dazzling court and night club scenes as well as the lake and the impact of the all-male swan corps de ballet. But the lush Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound serves the rich interpretation of Tchaikovsky's score from The New London Orchestra to handkerchief-wringing effect. Extras include menu-driven resumes and a synopsis. --Piers Ford
Average Rating: 
Rating:
- Superb interpretation - Miss it at your perilA truly wonderful interpretation of the timeless classic. Every bit as stunning as seeing it live. Probably not one for the children, so if you are looking for that seek out a more traditional production.
It is witty, excellently crafted and moving. A world wide phenomenon and and instant classic. It is difficult for a DVD to truly capture the magic of a live performance, but this does an admirable job.
Essential viewing for all of the Billy Elliot's out there!
Rating:
- This is no traditional Swan Lake! Not for the children!Oh what a fool I was - I chose this one to watch with my children and my mother prior to taking them to Swan Lake performed by the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Watching this dvd was just a waste of time for us as we realised our mistake and scanned through it trying (but failing) to find some relevance to the story which we had read many times.
I had heard that many people walked out of M. Bourne's male swan production in disgust, but as his name was not mentioned in the title I foolishly did ... Read More
Rating:
- A great ballet In a brilliant new lightHold on to your lids, kids, a traditional Swan Lake this is not. Matthew Bourne, probably Britain's greatest contemporary choreographer, has reset the old and great ballet into a tale of British royal satire, repressed sexuality and just plain human longing for comfort and protection. And if you've heard about this version, it is definitely not all male; there are plenty of female dancers around. The Swan Queen, however, is now The Swan King. The corps de ballet who form The Swan King's court, traditionally ... Read More
Rating:
- Great show!I watched a live performance of this Swan Lake last month and left the theater with mixed emotions. I was exhilarated by the whole concept, but somewhat disappointed with the choreography itself. I thought perhaps it was the fault of the dancers, so I bought the dvd with the original performers. Well, my opinion is still unchanged. This is a great show, but not a great ballet work.
Matthew Bourne re-interprets the classic "swan lake" story in a very subtle and imaginative way. His probbing into the soul ... Read More
Rating:
- Frustrated by the DVD ProductionI loved the live show. It is an interesting and unique interpretation of a great classic. I very much respect Matthew Bourne's work. The "swan" choreography is great. Adam Cooper dances beautifully. I was however frustrated with the composition / production of the DVD. I was constantly annoyed by the close ups that would cut into a wonderful flow of steps or the graceful patterns evolving in the choreography. In my opinion filming shots for ballet should never be smaller than the whole form of the body. In ballet ... Read More
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