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FONTEYN AND NUREYEV (TV)

Summary

A special program about the partnership of Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev, narrated by Robert Powell. Highlights include remarks from several commentators on the dancers' partnership; an excerpt from "Le Corsaire" pas de deux; Dame Ninette de Valois (founder of the Royal Ballet) discussing Nureyev's desire to dance with Fonteyn; Fonteyn and Nureyev discussing their first meeting; footage of the two dancing "Giselle"; Powell talking about Nureyev's defection; Jan Edgeworth speaking of Nureyev when he first joined the company; excerpts of Nureyev rehearsing and performing; excerpts from the male and female solos from "Le Corsaire"; footage of Fonteyn at age 19; an interview with Fonteyn after her husband was accused of starting a revolution; an excerpt of Fonteyn dancing "Les Sylphides"; Frederick Ashton discussing his ballet "Marguerite and Armand," created for Fonteyn and Nureyev, and selections from the ballet.

Also includes several clips of curtain calls; footage of Fonteyn and Nureyev dancing the pas de deux from "Swan Lake"; Fonteyn with her husband after he was shot; the balcony scene from Kenneth MacMillan's "Romeo and Juliet," displaying their most famous roles; Nureyev backstage as several people discuss his artistic growth after his defection from the Soviet Union; Nureyev speaking of Soviet attempts to persuade him to return home; a dress rehearsal of "Birthday Offering," choreographed by Ashton and revived in 1968 for Fonteyn and Nureyev; film of the dancers in a police station after being arrested at a party for possession of drugs; and excerpts of the two dancing in "Lucifer" (choreographed by Martha Graham), their last filmed appearance in "Hamlet and Ophelia" (choreographed by Ashton), and the final scene of "Romeo and Juliet."

Details

  • NETWORK: Channel 4 (United Kingdom)
  • DATE: November 30, 1985
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:38:50
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T88:0171
  • GENRE: Arts documentaries; Dance
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Ballet; Biography; Dance; Dance - Analysis, appreciation; International Collection - United Kingdom
  • SERIES RUN: Channel 4 (United Kingdom) - TV, 1986
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Peter Batty … Producer, Director, Writer
  • Robert Powell … Narrator
  • Margot Fonteyn … Dancer
  • Rudolf Nureyev … Dancer
  • Frederick Ashton
  • Jan Edgeworth
  • Martha Graham
  • Kenneth MacMillan
  • Ninette de Valois