The Red Shoes (1948) Criterion 1080p BluRay x265 HEVC AAC-SARTRE

Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's influential musical tragedy set the stage for the climactic dance ballets that became a staple of the Arthur Freed-MGM musicals (An American in Paris, Singin' in the Rain and The Band Wagon) of the early 1950s. Hans Christian Andersen's tragic fairy tale forms the basis of this film about betrayal, love and art. The story begins as struggling composer Julian Craster (Marius Goring) attends a performance of the Lermontov Ballet Company and recognizes his own score in the production of "Hearts of Fire." Julian protests to ballet company director Boris Lermontov (Anton Walbrook) about the unauthorized use of his music. Impressed by Julian's talent, Boris hires him to compose the score for his next ballet -- a dance version of "The Red Shoes." Boris also hires an attractive young dancer, Victoria Page (Moira Shearer), to perform in the ballet. When the lead ballerina announces that she plans to get married, Boris, in a pique over being abandoned, casts Victoria in the starring role. As Julian works on the score and Victoria struggles to perfect her dance technique, the two fall in love. When "The Red Shoes" ballet is premiered -- seen in a stunning and glorious fifteen-minute sequence -- it is a raging success and it makes Victoria a star. But when Boris learns that Julian and Victoria have fallen in love, Boris, who is secretly in love with Victoria, in a fit of rage forces Julian to leave the ballet company; Victoria leaves with him. Since Boris owns the rights to "The Red Shoes" ballet, he forbids Victoria to perform the dance and she becomes unemployable. Time passes and Julian and Victoria are now happily married. Julian's compositions have made him an international success. One day, with Victoria disembarking from a train in Paris, she meets Boris, who implores her to do one performance of "The Red Shoes" in Monaco. Victoria agrees as Julian cancels an engagement in London to travel to Monte Carlo in order to convince his wife not to perform the ballet. But Victoria goes on with the performance, with tragic results.

Extras

• Restoration Demonstration - A short program, hosted by director Martin Scorsese, founder and chair of Film Foundation, offering a fascinating look at the restoration treatment The Red Shoes received. (5 min, 720p).

• Profile of The Red Shoes - A very good documentary on the making of The Red Shoes, produced in London in 2000. The program features interviews with film historian Ian Christie, cinematographer Jack Cardiff, camera operator Chris Challis, and family members of the film's original production team. (26 min, 720p).

• Thelma Schoonmaker Powell - Michael Powell's widow and close friend of Martin Scorsese talks about The Red Shoes and why it was important that the film was restored. (15 min, 720p).

• Stills gallery (1080p)

- Cast and Crew
- Filming in London, Paris, Monte Carlo
- Deleted scenes (in B&W)
- Production and Costume Designs
- Posters & Lobby Cards

• Scorsese's Memorabilia - A very unusual collection, containing the red ballet slippers worn by Moira Shearer in the film; Emeric Pressburger's personal copy of the The Red Shoes script; annotated technical design storyboards for the key ballet sequence; etc. (1080p).

• The Red Shoes Sketches - This animated film, constructed from production designer Hein Heckroth's original color storyboards and set to Brian Easdale's score, was used as the blueprint for the Red Shoes ballet in the film. The film can be viewed with the Jeremy Irons reading of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Red Shoes", and side by side with the actual film. A short text introduction is included as well. (16 min, 720p).

• Trailer - The original theatrical trailer for the film. (3 min, 720p).

• Commentary - A wonderful audio commentary by film historian Ian Christie featuring stars Marius Goring and Moira Shearer, cinematographer Jack Cardiff, composer Brian Easdale, and Martin Scorsese. It was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 1994, and it also appears on the old SDVD release of The Red Shoes.

• The Red Shoes Novel - An audio recording, made exclusively for Criterion in 1994. Here, actor Jeremy Irons reads excerpts from Powell and Pressburger's 1978 novelization of The Red Shoes. To listen, select the third audio track in the film.