Cheap The Tales of Beatrix Potter (with Dancers of The Royal Ballet) (Video) (Reginald Mills) Price

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Customer Reviews of The Tales of Beatrix Potter (with Dancers of The Royal Ballet)

Dancing animals in high spirits
This is ballet movie elevated to art in every possible respect. The English writer Beatrix Potter has been a long time favorite in the nursery and the movie is really a masterpiece. Sir Frederic Ashton did the choreography - masterly - and appeared himself in the role of old Mrs. Tiggywinkle (the hedgehog) - he must have had some fun! Rostislav Douboujinsky did the masks - wonderful - John Lanchbery composed the music.The fandango danced by two mice on a table is a true highlight. Why some movies or books become classics is a very difficult question to answer. Maybe one answer could be that with a mediocre work you have seen it, and that is that, easily forgotten. With a masterpiece you still discover new things at the fiftysixth viewing. That is the way it is with "Tales". One cannot possibly find a single fault with this lovely production. It is filmed in the rolling green pastures of merry old England. And here we are in the North of England, Beatrix Potter's own home in the Lake District - today a National Trust property. Christine Edzard was responsible for the sets and costumes, beautiful to look at. There are very notable performances by Alexander Grant (Peter Rabbit), Brenda Last (Black Berkshire Pig) Michael Coleman (Jeremy Fisher, the frog) and the inimitable Whiskered Foxy Gentleman danced by Robert Mead. All the other characters are as delightful, Jemima Puddleduck flying in the sky, Johnny Townmouse, complete with bowler hat and furled umbrella. This film is a true delight for both adults and children. END

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Wonderful Royal Ballet Portrayal of a Childhood Favorite
Tales of Beatrix Potter with Dancers of the Royal Ballet (1971) is pure fun and innocence portrayed through top flight ballet dancing. Don't miss this production if you're a fan of ballet, Beatrix, and barnyard animals.

As the story opens, we see a young Beatrix Potter and the beautiful English countryside that was the inspiration for her family of adorable little creatures. Soon we see Beatrix's creations come to life in vignettes and costumes true to the original drawings.

The dancers appear to be dancing on an earthen stage (complete with clumps of grass, dirt, and hay), but pigs and mice on pointe were never this graceful. Watch the swine ham it up in a pigs' pas de deux, and see them escape their inevitable fate. Mr. Jeremy Fisher is one wonderfully flexible, high-jumping leapfrog. See mice go mad and perform a quick, clean petite allegro with the beautiful pointe work you'd expect from the Royal Ballet. Peter Rabbit comes in, dancing about very happily, having just raided the cabbage patch. He is witness to a picnic of rats, crashed by mice and Squirrel Nutkin and his buddies. This scene is nothing but fun and I can't imagine the dancers didn't have a blast performing it. There's even a food fight.

Don't be put off by the whimsical concept of this production. These are world-class ballet dancers performing Ashton's warm and witty, yet demanding choreography in top form.

I wish the editing had been better in spots and that the camera angles had been tighter, but I imagine it was necessary to maintain the proper perspective between the sizes of the characters and the sets. Great costumes and sets convincingly blend with footage of the real English landscape in all its green glory. Complete dancer credits at the end.

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An enchanting, live-action, full color, 90-minute DVD
Presenting a musical, live-action interpretation of classic fables, performed by dancers of the England Royal Ballet Company in full animal costume, The Tales Of Beatrix Potter is an enchanting, live-action, full color, 90-minute DVD which is recommended for viewing by all ages. Featuring widescreen presentation, The Tales Of Beatrix Potter is a lively delight and a true treasure to share with whole family and a crowning contribution to any community library DVD collection.