Red Shoes The (1948)

Red Shoes The (1948)

Directed and written by frequent collaborators Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger (49th Parallel (1941)) who adapted it from a Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale this essential drama is the story of a young woman (Moira Shearer in her film debut) determined to make it as a prima ballerina and having the talent to make it. But of course love interrupts her quest for perfection introducing the age old (woman’s) question: "can she have a career and a husband?". Anton Walbrook plays a driven ballet producer who demands that his prima ballerina’s sacrifice everything outside of his productions for their perfection. Beautiful choreographay and Color Cinematography (by Jack Cardiff Black Narcissus (1947)). Eventual tragedy naturally. Marius Goring plays Shearer’s distracting love interest the composer of the titled ballet that Walbrook’s character is producing. Albert Bassermann among others also appears. The film’s Art Direction-Set Decoration and Musical Score won Oscars; the film (Best Picture) its Editing and Pressburger’s Writing were also nominated.

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