This film was underrated for what it was. Especially with history possibly repeating itself from the cold war into today. It's a reminder that history can repeat itself with artists being suffocated by political control. It's better to watch this film twice to understand the underlying meaning of no matter where you are we should support one another.
This movie is a triumph of actors over script - all of them. Rosellini, Geraldine Page, John Glover, & Helen Mirren of course. As for Barishnikov and Hines, I think most viewers wish they could have watched them dance for the whole movie. The opening ballet was shockingly-beautiful - and the duet choreographed by Twyla Tharp was the piece'd resistance. I was lucky enough to work with Greg on a movie right after this one, and enjoyed a wonderful friendship with him for the rest of his all-too-short life. His singing voice, his insane sense of humour, it was infectious - and his brilliant performance in "Jelly's Last Jam" was simply out of this world. People got an opportunity to hear his smooth singing voice as well as his acting and dancing in this show - it is heartbreaking that he died so soon
Thanks so much for your thoughts! I didn't know that Hines was a good singer until I saw him in a video. Must have been a great experience working with him. What a great talent. Thanks again!
I loved White Nights. I saw it in 1985 when it came out and again a few nights ago. Dance was beautiful and for me who loves both Baryshnikov and HInes , I suspect I will watch it again and again over the years. For me Baryshnikov is the perfect male::intelligent,confident,sensual,commanding,beautiful in every way. After watching him for many years he still literally takes my breath away.
Same here, I find Baryshnikov mesmerizing. He goes beyond being a mere "triple threat" (he doesn't sing, AFAIK, but tinkles on the piano) - he is in the rarefied stratosphere of being a breathtaking dancer, a compelling actor, AND a beautiful human being who has no peer. The storyline has been called "hokey" by critics, but WHO CARES? It is perfect for what it is, a showcase for the talents of two legendary dancers and some top shelf actors besides. (I actually like the plot, when Raymond crosses the border in the middle of the night, I cry every time I see it!)
Same - for me it was both of the wonderful dancers, both of the magnificent styles, with all of the political issues of the time. Hines was a genius Baryshnikov was magic I wish they would play it again now. I wonder if it would help. 🙏🏽Slava Ukraini🙏🏽 #CountryOverParty #DemocracyOverDrama
yes, smoking in hospitals. Back then, you could smoke everywhere. I remember visiting New Jersey, lighting a cigarette in the grocery store, and my friend yelling at me. First I'd heard of the no smoking law and it seemed insane to me at the time. White Nights is at the top of my all time favorite movies. Hines and Baryshnikov? OMG. Dream team. And then you add Mirren and Rosellini, Page, Glover? This movie is not to be missed.
This is one of my favorite movies. I've seen it at least 10 times. I went to the Soviet Union in 1978...I thought the depiction was right on. It was a scary time, even as a tourist. I liked your breakdown of the film. The dancing was incredible, and you were correct--especially on the big screen. Seeing Baryshnikov in the eighties was pure joy. Thanks for making such an interesting compilation. ❤👀
@@rethinkcps2116 Our itinerary was pre-determined and they had a different cultural event every day. I got to see the Leningrad Ballet, in a box over the stage, and what I remember most was how they thudded every time they landed. It was odd for a professional dance company. I also got to see the opera, a classical concert, and a tour of the Moscow subway. I wanted to see Lenin"s "grave" but I was not allowed because we were not allowed to go anywhere without a guide. ( I did go to a nightclub at night where there were mostly German tourists, and to church because of a kind cab driver who was a believer at a time when all the churches were given to the State.)
@@earthmotherfarfromhome262 - wow. Quite a trip. Thudding is an interesting word. I guess adult dancers can't land like feathers. Right? Or did they hit the deck, so to speak, esp. hard? In any event, thanks for your detailed answer. A thrilling trip most of us won't ever get to take -
The movie was filmed on Finland ! 1986 They had a Nuclear City - disaster in Russia - so this was a right time to make a movie like this ! There are several movies filmed in Finland - to look like St Petersburg / Leningrad ! Many know - Warren Beattys The REDS - Gorgy Park - as all filmed at Helsinki !
I remember seeing White Nights when it originally aired...Thought about it earlier this year, and have marveled at literally witnessing the unfolding of history since then. To see life through Barryshnikov's eyes at this point is truly compelling.
I had the VHS movie of " White Nights" n watched it many many times to enjoy both Baryshnikov and Hines, as the two separately are dynamos as well as together!!! It is one of my favourite movies ever, especially being a fan of both Baryshnikov and Hines, as I was a courps du ballet 🩰 member of the Detroit Chamber 🩰 Society in the late 1970's n half way thru the 1980's, at which time Balletmania was everywhere!!! White Nights was the epitome of the blend of two different art forms that needed to become part of each other to further the dance!!;! Love 💖 it to this day,!!!
I loved the video! I taught high school dance from 1990 - 2015 and showed parts of "White Nights" and "The Turning Point" every year. The dance Baryshnikov does for Galina was also choreographed by Twyla Tharp. I used "The Turning Point" VHS tape so much, I had to purchase another one. I could never find the DVD, so I have a second VHS tape that cost about $80. I was fortunate to see Gregory Hines dance live and have seen Savion Glover multiple times. I feel so blessed to have witnessed almost the entirety of Baryshnikov's career.
This is one of my favorite films! Helen Miren and 2 of the greatest dancers of the 20th century?! I have seen it multiple times as I have The Turning Point...which I own on DVD. Leslie Browne is also a favorite... Thanks, Kent for always doing such a beautiful job analyzing videos and clips!
While I'm not terribly for the Cold-war-type movies, I've been a HUGE fan of Baryshnikov (having a bit of a crush on him in my youth), I loved the movie for his appearance in it. I was fortunate that my sister somehow got a preview ticket (you know, where the audience take a survey at the end) before the movie was released, and she invited me. It was also nice that Baryshnikov got quite a bit of publicity from being in the movie. I remember taping his interview segments from "Good Morning America" on the VCR. I think my sister and I saw it again, when it was actually released. It's kind of funny that my brother-in-law (with absolutely no interest in this movie) went, instead, to Rocky IV, in the same theater complex, while my sister and I went to see "White Nights." Thank you for posting this!
Thoroughly enjoyed this and, off the back of it, watched White Nights again. It’s a cracking film and Barishnikov & Hines are both astounding. Thanks for a lovely Sunday afternoon!
This would make an interesting double-feature with Moscow on the Hudson, almost entirely forgotten now. Robin Williams plays a Russian musician who defects during a trip to NY.
I so enjoyed your review. I love that movie and don't care about the plot. To watch the dancing is worth sitting through some stupid or boring parts. The actors are wonderful, all of them. I love your videos
"White Nights" is among my favorite movies, yet was panned by a lot of critics (except for the dancing.). As this video points out, the themes weren't a whole lot different than "Rocky IV" or other late Cold War movies. If the storyline is a little hokey, who cares, it's entertainment! The plot echoes Baryshnikov's real life experience as a Soviet defector, after all, so it doesn't entirely suspend belief. But even if the plot exists only to showcase the dancing, then again who cares? We get to enjoy performances by Helen Mirren, Isabella Rossellini, and Jerzy Skolimowski as an added bonus. Win/Win!
The film is simply wonderful. I'm still gripped from beginning to end, upon every viewing, which thankfully is often as I own it on DVD. The dancing is out of this world & if you wish to watch Hines in another film, may I suggest Tap... you won't be disappointed.
Thanks for another interesting video, well done ! Your summary at the end is spot on (agree about the contrived escape-scene. Baryshnikov himself said he didn't find the storyline very convincing). And yes: it's a great cast. But the absolute highlights of this film are, of course, the dance scenes. His phenomenal Le Jeune Homme, the duo-dance with Hines, their warming up, Baryshnikov's heartbreaking Vysotsky dance (which he choreographed himself). And the 11-pirouettes scene is legendary (just like his little victory dance afterwards 😁). I can recommend the DVD; the extra feature of Hackfords commentary provides even more interesting details.
@@KentGBecker It was initially choreographed by Twyla Tharp, but Baryshnikov changed it to better reflect his frustration and anger. He's also the one who suggested Vysotsky's music for this scene to Taylor. (From interview Washington Post, December 6, 1985)
J'ai tout aimé dans ce film. Je ne me lasse pas des scènes dansées, la bande son.....il fait parti de mon top 10 des films. Je connais hélas peu de personnes qui le connaissent en France et je trouve ça bien dommage
Thank you for another fascinating video. I've seen White Nights three times and would watch it again. The dancing is wonderful. So yes, it's not a great film; the plot is schlocky and it's full of stereotypes. I accept that just for the pleasure of seeing Baryshnikov and Hines dance. I've also seen Dancers two or three times. Again, it's trite but the Giselle excerpts with Baryshnikov and Ferri' are fabulous!
I saw White Nights in the theater when it was released and loved it! I was a Barishnikov fan and really loved the duets with Hines. I thought the dancing was fabulous and still watch clips on TH-cam!
I love this movie. I saw it the night it opened in my city. I didn’t think it was odd that Gregory Hine’s character, Raymond, defected to Russia in the 1960s or 1970s. Raymond was upset with his lack of opportunity and, perhaps being influenced by the experience of Paul Robson, thought he would have more artistic opportunity and experience less racism in Russia. He should have been paying more attention to the writings of Emma Goldman regarding her disillusionment with the Soviet State. Raymond also seems to recall the experience of Oswald becoming disillusioned with his life in Russia and returning to the US.
Baryshnikov defected in Toronto in 1974 while touring with Leniungrad (St, Petersburg) Mariisky ( then Kirov's) Ballet which he joint after graduation of Vaganova School. He never toured with Moscow Bolshoi.
@@Marta44339 Until your reply I was sure, that it was Kirov. I was following Leningrad ballet life closely that time and remembered, that several Kirov dancers left for a tour at the same time. But my search of Internet in both Russian and English to prove, that I am right gave me unexpected result. Some were saying Kirov, while other - Bolshoi. The answer is probably in several descriptions of Misha's defection, which call it "Concert group of Bolshoi", which could include dancers of both Kirov and Bolshoi, and other theaters of USSR. If I could find names of Misha's partners and other dancers of that tour, I would be able to tell .
@@mamusin99 as far as I know, only Misha and Irina Kolpakova from Kirovsky were on that tour, they were invited to enhance the attractiveness of not the first structure of the Bolshoi, but my information is not first-hand, but from scraps of books and interviews
I loved it when I first saw it. It entertained me and the dancing was superb. It was the first time I saw Helen Mirren in anything and her acting talent just shown. I haven’t seen it in many years, but I’m certain I would be entertained if I saw it again.
I missed White Nights when it came out, but picked up the Blu-ray last year. IMHO the film is good, not great, but the dance scenes are stunning. I’ve watched each of them at least 6-8 times. Really appreciate your review and clips. 👍 I’m inspired to watch it again!
There were quite a few leftist African-Americans who moved either permanently or temporarily to the USSR starting in the 1930s. I don't know of any specific cases of Black Vietnam vets doing so, but there were a few US service and intelligence personnel who wound up in the Soviet Union or even North Korea in the 50s and 60s. So to a movie audience during the Cold War, Gregory Hines's character wouldn't really be much a stretch.
While you haven't heard of any US citizens defecting to the USSR, there's Paul Robeson, who lost his court appeal to have the U.S. State Department grant him a passport. Robeson was denied the right by the U.S. government to international travel in 1950 because of his political beliefs. But that is just the way democracy works, I imagine.
More portent than ever. The Russian-American Ballerina, Ksenia Karelina, has been taken into custody while visiting family in St. Petersburg. She is accused of treason after donating $51 to Ukraine. She could be sentenced to life in prison. 😢
The first pdd j saw : pdd de Don-Quichotte with Noella Pontois-M Barychnikov Paris Opera 1975 ; indiscribable Pontois and Barychnikov were in this erea at the Top !
Absolutely love this movie!!! I am a child of the cold war being born in 1963. I was a Sr in college when this hit the screens in 1985. I had already been on duty with the service years earlier at the height of the cold war under Reagan. Having Soviet bombers fly over our ship in the Indian ocean, having Soviet AGI's shadow our carrier group etc. This was real stuff, we hated the Soviets. Then this movie comes out and reenforces what we had been told and have witnessed on the news. Now all these years later and much more history being consumed by me and my opinions of the Russian people has definitely changed. I admire them and feel pity that the rank-and-file citizens are forced to live under such terrible conditions with their gov't. To add to all of the anti-Soviet content being aired at the time of this movie, we cannot forget the music and even commercials!!! Sting-Russians Wendy's- Soviet Fashion show
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Hines and Baryshnikov dancing together? I dont think it gets better than that. Two incredibly talented and committed artists.
This film was underrated for what it was. Especially with history possibly repeating itself from the cold war into today. It's a reminder that history can repeat itself with artists being suffocated by political control. It's better to watch this film twice to understand the underlying meaning of no matter where you are we should support one another.
This movie is a triumph of actors over script - all of them. Rosellini, Geraldine Page, John Glover, & Helen Mirren of course. As for Barishnikov and Hines, I think most viewers wish they could have watched them dance for the whole movie. The opening ballet was shockingly-beautiful - and the duet choreographed by Twyla Tharp was the piece'd resistance. I was lucky enough to work with Greg on a movie right after this one, and enjoyed a wonderful friendship with him for the rest of his all-too-short life. His singing voice, his insane sense of humour, it was infectious - and his brilliant performance in "Jelly's Last Jam" was simply out of this world. People got an opportunity to hear his smooth singing voice as well as his acting and dancing in this show - it is heartbreaking that he died so soon
Thanks so much for your thoughts! I didn't know that Hines was a good singer until I saw him in a video. Must have been a great experience working with him. What a great talent. Thanks again!
I loved White Nights. I saw it in 1985 when it came out and again a few nights ago. Dance was beautiful and for me who loves both Baryshnikov and HInes , I suspect I will watch it again and again over the years. For me Baryshnikov is the perfect male::intelligent,confident,sensual,commanding,beautiful in every way. After watching him for many years he still literally takes my breath away.
Same here, I find Baryshnikov mesmerizing. He goes beyond being a mere "triple threat" (he doesn't sing, AFAIK, but tinkles on the piano) - he is in the rarefied stratosphere of being a breathtaking dancer, a compelling actor, AND a beautiful human being who has no peer. The storyline has been called "hokey" by critics, but WHO CARES? It is perfect for what it is, a showcase for the talents of two legendary dancers and some top shelf actors besides. (I actually like the plot, when Raymond crosses the border in the middle of the night, I cry every time I see it!)
Same - for me it was both of the wonderful dancers, both of the magnificent styles, with all of the political issues of the time.
Hines was a genius
Baryshnikov was magic
I wish they would play it again now.
I wonder if it would help.
🙏🏽Slava Ukraini🙏🏽
#CountryOverParty
#DemocracyOverDrama
One of my most favorite movies. I especially LOVED the dancing!!!!...so saddened by loss of Hines... way too young.
I love this movie, every bit of it. I think it’s fantastic, as is the acting.
yes, smoking in hospitals. Back then, you could smoke everywhere. I remember visiting New Jersey, lighting a cigarette in the grocery store, and my friend yelling at me. First I'd heard of the no smoking law and it seemed insane to me at the time. White Nights is at the top of my all time favorite movies. Hines and Baryshnikov? OMG. Dream team. And then you add Mirren and Rosellini, Page, Glover? This movie is not to be missed.
I remember smoking sections on commercial airplanes. Something I don't miss.
@@KentGBecker 1993 was a very bad year for smokers. I will admit it was hard for us smokers at first, but we adjusted. Well, most of us did.
This is one of my favorite movies. I've seen it at least 10 times. I went to the Soviet Union in 1978...I thought the depiction was right on. It was a scary time, even as a tourist. I liked your breakdown of the film. The dancing was incredible, and you were correct--especially on the big screen. Seeing Baryshnikov in the eighties was pure joy. Thanks for making such an interesting compilation. ❤👀
Thanks for your thoughts!
Did you watch the Bolshoi or other Russian dance company? Could American tourists access those tickets?
@@rethinkcps2116 Our itinerary was pre-determined and they had a different cultural event every day. I got to see the Leningrad Ballet, in a box over the stage, and what I remember most was how they thudded every time they landed. It was odd for a professional dance company. I also got to see the opera, a classical concert, and a tour of the Moscow subway. I wanted to see Lenin"s "grave" but I was not allowed because we were not allowed to go anywhere without a guide. ( I did go to a nightclub at night where there were mostly German tourists, and to church because of a kind cab driver who was a believer at a time when all the churches were given to the State.)
@@earthmotherfarfromhome262 - wow. Quite a trip.
Thudding is an interesting word. I guess adult dancers can't land like feathers. Right?
Or did they hit the deck, so to speak, esp. hard?
In any event, thanks for your detailed answer. A thrilling trip most of us won't ever get to take -
The movie was filmed on Finland ! 1986 They had a Nuclear City - disaster in Russia - so this was a right time to make a movie like this ! There are several movies filmed in Finland - to look like St Petersburg / Leningrad ! Many know - Warren Beattys The REDS - Gorgy Park - as all filmed at Helsinki !
Chaka Khan's The Other Side of the World on the soundtrack takes me right back to the 1980s. It was a hugely underrated song.
Misha and Greg are magical together. The best of their respective genres. Such a treat.
I remember seeing White Nights when it originally aired...Thought about it earlier this year, and have marveled at literally witnessing the unfolding of history since then. To see life through Barryshnikov's eyes at this point is truly compelling.
Wow, that was just great., thank you. Was the movie brilliant in itself, perhaps not , but the dancing superseded all. Wonderful, thank,you 👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏👵🇦🇺
I had the VHS movie of " White Nights" n watched it many many times to enjoy both Baryshnikov and Hines, as the two separately are dynamos as well as together!!! It is one of my favourite movies ever, especially being a fan of both Baryshnikov and Hines, as I was a courps du ballet 🩰 member of the Detroit Chamber 🩰 Society in the late 1970's n half way thru the 1980's, at which time Balletmania was everywhere!!! White Nights was the epitome of the blend of two different art forms that needed to become part of each other to further the dance!!;! Love 💖 it to this day,!!!
Loved it.
I loved the video! I taught high school dance from 1990 - 2015 and showed parts of "White Nights" and "The Turning Point" every year. The dance Baryshnikov does for Galina was also choreographed by Twyla Tharp. I used "The Turning Point" VHS tape so much, I had to purchase another one. I could never find the DVD, so I have a second VHS tape that cost about $80. I was fortunate to see Gregory Hines dance live and have seen Savion Glover multiple times. I feel so blessed to have witnessed almost the entirety of Baryshnikov's career.
This is one of my favorite films! Helen Miren and 2 of the greatest dancers of the 20th century?! I have seen it multiple times as I have The Turning Point...which I own on DVD. Leslie Browne is also a favorite... Thanks, Kent for always doing such a beautiful job analyzing videos and clips!
Thanks Laurie!
I completely forgot much to my shame she was in this film. Helen is a brilliant actress ❤
While I'm not terribly for the Cold-war-type movies, I've been a HUGE fan of Baryshnikov (having a bit of a crush on him in my youth), I loved the movie for his appearance in it. I was fortunate that my sister somehow got a preview ticket (you know, where the audience take a survey at the end) before the movie was released, and she invited me. It was also nice that Baryshnikov got quite a bit of publicity from being in the movie. I remember taping his interview segments from "Good Morning America" on the VCR. I think my sister and I saw it again, when it was actually released. It's kind of funny that my brother-in-law (with absolutely no interest in this movie) went, instead, to Rocky IV, in the same theater complex, while my sister and I went to see "White Nights."
Thank you for posting this!
Great memories! Thanks for sharing
Great movie - good story line and the dancing was outstanding!!!!! Wore out two DVD's!
Thoroughly enjoyed this and, off the back of it, watched White Nights again. It’s a cracking film and Barishnikov & Hines are both astounding. Thanks for a lovely Sunday afternoon!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the movie.
killer montage Kent. this is a serious resource. totally agree this is the greatest film for the committed
Thanks so much!
This would make an interesting double-feature with Moscow on the Hudson, almost entirely forgotten now. Robin Williams plays a Russian musician who defects during a trip to NY.
I so enjoyed your review. I love that movie and don't care about the plot. To watch the dancing is worth sitting through some stupid or boring parts. The actors are wonderful, all of them. I love your videos
Thanks!
I first saw Baryshnikov in 19 70 when he was still with the Kirov. He and Makorova were dancing Swan Lake. It was magnificent.
"White Nights" is among my favorite movies, yet was panned by a lot of critics (except for the dancing.). As this video points out, the themes weren't a whole lot different than "Rocky IV" or other late Cold War movies. If the storyline is a little hokey, who cares, it's entertainment! The plot echoes Baryshnikov's real life experience as a Soviet defector, after all, so it doesn't entirely suspend belief. But even if the plot exists only to showcase the dancing, then again who cares? We get to enjoy performances by Helen Mirren, Isabella Rossellini, and Jerzy Skolimowski as an added bonus. Win/Win!
One of my favorite movies also. Thanks for tuning in!
I have seen white Nights many times. Each time I see it it is as if I have seen it for the first time. Wonderful movie. Amazing dancing.
Always thought White Nights was an absolutely terrific movie. Gregory was outstanding
Agree! Thanks for tuning in.
The film is simply wonderful. I'm still gripped from beginning to end, upon every viewing, which thankfully is often as I own it on DVD. The dancing is out of this world & if you wish to watch Hines in another film, may I suggest Tap... you won't be disappointed.
@@clairegresswell thanks! Will take a look.
Thanks for another interesting video, well done ! Your summary at the end is spot on (agree about the contrived escape-scene. Baryshnikov himself said he didn't find the storyline very convincing).
And yes: it's a great cast. But the absolute highlights of this film are, of course, the dance scenes. His phenomenal Le Jeune Homme, the duo-dance with Hines, their warming up, Baryshnikov's heartbreaking Vysotsky dance (which he choreographed himself). And the 11-pirouettes scene is legendary (just like his little victory dance afterwards 😁).
I can recommend the DVD; the extra feature of Hackfords commentary provides even more interesting details.
Thanks! I didn't know that Baryshnikov choreographed the Vysotsky dance. Will check out the DVD.
@@KentGBecker It was initially choreographed by Twyla Tharp, but Baryshnikov changed it to better reflect his frustration and anger. He's also the one who suggested Vysotsky's music for this scene to Taylor.
(From interview Washington Post, December 6, 1985)
@@MMMa3Thanks for the info and kudos for providing a reference!
The Blu-ray is also excellent and includes the commentary.
J'ai tout aimé dans ce film. Je ne me lasse pas des scènes dansées, la bande son.....il fait parti de mon top 10 des films. Je connais hélas peu de personnes qui le connaissent en France et je trouve ça bien dommage
Thank you for another fascinating video. I've seen White Nights three times and would watch it again. The dancing is wonderful. So yes, it's not a great film; the plot is schlocky and it's full of stereotypes. I accept that just for the pleasure of seeing Baryshnikov and Hines dance. I've also seen Dancers two or three times. Again, it's trite but the Giselle excerpts with Baryshnikov and Ferri' are fabulous!
I saw White Nights in the theater when it was released and loved it! I was a Barishnikov fan and really loved the duets with Hines. I thought the dancing was fabulous and still watch clips on TH-cam!
@@annbrookens945 thanks for tuning in!
I love this video! Loved White nights, turning point, as well. Thanks for this!
Great video. Dance linked to world history. Thank you for the many insights. Really appreciate it.
I love this movie. The dance scenes are breathtaking ❤❤
An iconic movie! Thank you for this wonderful piece!
I love this movie. I saw it the night it opened in my city. I didn’t think it was odd that Gregory Hine’s character, Raymond, defected to Russia in the 1960s or 1970s. Raymond was upset with his lack of opportunity and, perhaps being influenced by the experience of Paul Robson, thought he would have more artistic opportunity and experience less racism in Russia. He should have been paying more attention to the writings of Emma Goldman regarding her disillusionment with the Soviet State. Raymond also seems to recall the experience of Oswald becoming disillusioned with his life in Russia and returning to the US.
Interesting historical perspective. Thanks
Happy Birthday Rudolph Nureyev, born March 17, 1938.
I saw this movie and Turning Point so many times!
Unforgettable Godunov as Karl in Die Hard (1988).
Godunov is on my list!
I've so been looking forward to this! Thank you so much, excellent work!!💕
Sorry it took so long. Thanks for turning in!
@@KentGBecker it was wonderful!
Baryshnikov defected in Toronto in 1974 while touring with Leniungrad (St, Petersburg) Mariisky ( then Kirov's) Ballet which he joint after graduation of Vaganova School. He never toured with Moscow Bolshoi.
I believe he WAS touring with the Bolshoi in 1974, even though he was a member of Kirov Ballet.
@@Marta44339 Until your reply I was sure, that it was Kirov. I was following Leningrad ballet life closely that time and remembered, that several Kirov dancers left for a tour at the same time. But my search of Internet in both Russian and English to prove, that I am right gave me unexpected result. Some were saying Kirov, while other - Bolshoi. The answer is probably in several descriptions of Misha's defection, which call it "Concert group of Bolshoi", which could include dancers of both Kirov and Bolshoi, and other theaters of USSR. If I could find names of Misha's partners and other dancers of that tour, I would be able to tell .
@@mamusin99 it was a tour of the Bolshoi Theater, in which Misha and Irina Kolpakova participated from Kirovsky
@@ГалинаЛуточка Thank you. Just for my memory check, do you know who else was on that tour from Kirov with Misha besides Kolpakova?
@@mamusin99 as far as I know, only Misha and Irina Kolpakova from Kirovsky were on that tour, they were invited to enhance the attractiveness of not the first structure of the Bolshoi, but my information is not first-hand, but from scraps of books and interviews
Потрясающий танцующий дуэт в " Белых ночах" , высший пилотаж )
I loved it when I first saw it. It entertained me and the dancing was superb. It was the first time I saw Helen Mirren in anything and her acting talent just shown.
I haven’t seen it in many years, but I’m certain I would be entertained if I saw it again.
Fortunately it is available through several streaming services unlike the Turning Point
I missed White Nights when it came out, but picked up the Blu-ray last year. IMHO the film is good, not great, but the dance scenes are stunning. I’ve watched each of them at least 6-8 times. Really appreciate your review and clips. 👍 I’m inspired to watch it again!
It is a treat to see Baryshnikov in his prime and Hines. Quite a duo.
@@KentGBecker We lost Hines far too soon. A great dancer, a great singer, and a great man.
There were quite a few leftist African-Americans who moved either permanently or temporarily to the USSR starting in the 1930s. I don't know of any specific cases of Black Vietnam vets doing so, but there were a few US service and intelligence personnel who wound up in the Soviet Union or even North Korea in the 50s and 60s. So to a movie audience during the Cold War, Gregory Hines's character wouldn't really be much a stretch.
Nice work on your voice, mister Becker!
While you haven't heard of any US citizens defecting to the USSR, there's Paul Robeson, who lost his court appeal to have the U.S. State Department grant him a passport. Robeson was denied the right by the U.S. government to international travel in 1950 because of his political beliefs. But that is just the way democracy works, I imagine.
Thanks for the historical background
More portent than ever. The Russian-American Ballerina, Ksenia Karelina, has been taken into custody while visiting family in St. Petersburg. She is accused of treason after donating $51 to Ukraine. She could be sentenced to life in prison. 😢
Does anyone know if the dancig saloon where they rehearse is a real location and where is it?
Yes, you could smoke in hospitals back in the day.
J don't understand , how old has B in this video ?
Baryshnikov was 37 in 1985
@@KentGBecker merci
He was born in 1948. The movie came out around 1985, about 37 years old.
The first pdd j saw : pdd de Don-Quichotte with Noella Pontois-M Barychnikov Paris Opera 1975 ; indiscribable Pontois and Barychnikov were in this erea at the Top !
Absolutely love this movie!!! I am a child of the cold war being born in 1963. I was a Sr in college when this hit the screens in 1985. I had already been on duty with the service years earlier at the height of the cold war under Reagan. Having Soviet bombers fly over our ship in the Indian ocean, having Soviet AGI's shadow our carrier group etc. This was real stuff, we hated the Soviets.
Then this movie comes out and reenforces what we had been told and have witnessed on the news. Now all these years later and much more history being consumed by me and my opinions of the Russian people has definitely changed. I admire them and feel pity that the rank-and-file citizens are forced to live under such terrible conditions with their gov't.
To add to all of the anti-Soviet content being aired at the time of this movie, we cannot forget the music and even commercials!!!
Sting-Russians
Wendy's- Soviet Fashion show