The Tales of Beatrix Potter
| Tales of Beatrix Potter | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover |
|
| Directed by | Reginald Mills |
| Produced by | Richard B. Goodwin |
| Written by | Beatrix Potter (stories) Christine Edzard Richard B. Goodwin |
| Starring | Royal Ballet dancers |
| Music by | John Lanchbery |
| Cinematography | Austin Dempster |
| Editing by | John Rushton |
| Distributed by | MGM-EMI (UK) MGM (USA) |
| Release date(s) | 30 June 1971 |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | U.K. |
| Language | English |
Tales of Beatrix Potter is a 1971 ballet film based on the children's stories of English author and illustrator Beatrix Potter. The film was directed by Reginald Mills, choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton (who danced the role of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle), and starred artists of the Royal Ballet.[1] The musical score was arranged by John Lanchbery from various sources such as the operas of Michael Balfe and Sir Arthur Sullivan, and performed by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. The film was nominated for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Film Awards.
A 1971 review by Roger Ebert was favorable: "The stories are told simply and directly and with a certain almost clumsy charm. Instead of going for perfection in the dancing, the Royal Ballet dancers have gone for characterizations instead. The various animals have their quirks and eccentricities, and they are fairly authentic: The frog dances like a frog, for example, and not like Nureyev."[2]
The film was released to DVD in 2004 and 2009, and as a blu-ray DVD in 2011.[3][4]
[edit] References
- ^ Yeatman, Linda (15 March, 1971). "Tale of Beatrix Potter's Ballet". The Times: p. 9. Issue 58122.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (November 19, 1971). "Peter Rabbit and the Tales of Beatrix Potter". Chicago Sun-Times. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19711119%2FREVIEWS%2F111190301%2F1023&AID1=%2F19711119%2FREVIEWS%2F111190301%2F1023&AID2=. Ebert rated the film with four stars (out of four).
- ^ Erickson, Glenn (February 12, 2004). "The Tales of Beatrix Potter". DVD Savant. http://www.dvdtalk.com/dvdsavant/s1118beatrix.html. "Tales of Beatrix Potter is a ballet film civilians can sit through. There's almost no plot and it will be slow going for anyone incapable of appreciating delicate dance steps. This category definitely includes Savant, but I was captivated by the film's production values and the amazing characterizations."
- ^ Nield, Anthony (6 April 2011). "Tales of Beatrix Potter". The Digital Fix: Film. http://film.thedigitalfix.com/content/id/73771/tales-of-beatrix-potter.html.
[edit] External links
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