Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #63232 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-07-11
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: AC-3, Classical, Closed-captioned, Colour, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 95 minutes

Customer Reviews

The Definative Giselle - starring Carla Fracci and Eric Bruh
This for me is the definative Giselle - performed by The American Ballet Theatre, and starring the legendary Carla Fracci as the fragile peasant girl Giselle. There have been many other Giselle's - Fonteyn's, Markarova's, Ferri's - but to me, there are few that could emmulate Fraccis genuine humanity. Her Giselle is understated, and truthful - there is no over-the-top theatricality in her Giselle - hers in the most truthful Giselle I have yet seen.For those of you who have never seen Giselle - this is one of the most romantic and poetic of all Ballets. Its from the Romantic era, and is the simple story of a young and pure hearted peasant girl, who lives alone in a village with her mother.Everyone in the village loves her - she is a bit like Belle in that Disney classic Beauty and the beast!! She meets a prince charming type, and then something terrible happens - but I wont spoil it for you,if you havn't seen it yet! The music is absolutely beautiful, incredibly lyrical, romantic and expresive. The production seems a little dated now, the sets and costumes a little old fashioned and Giselle's dress in the first act is a bit unflattering - but Fracci's performance helps you to see past that.The production may be dated, but her performance is real and honest - and therefore not dated at all!All the dancers in the cast are wonderful, but the real reason to see this version of Giselle, is for Fracci's incredible, and heart-breaking performance. Her work in the second act is breathtaking, she has just the right kind of lightness, and etheral airyness - yet unlike many of our modern Giselle's, she still retains a warmth, and sense of humanity, and does not become a cold hearted and ruthless creature. Its the way she interprets the role that makes her Giselle so unique, and so much more touching that the many ballerina's that have come after her. All in all a great version to add to your collection of ballet videos, my only complaint is the rather hammy acting of some of the guys in the chorus - but hey, its ballet, and sometimes people get carried away with the theatricality of it all - fortunately Carla Fracci is not one of those people. A must buy for fans of ballet, Giselle, or anyone who loves a romantic tale of love and betrayal!

The worst Giselle on DVD would not give away!
I have 3 copies of Giselle. This one is completly overdone. Hyped up performance with intrusive camera angles. Lacks emotion and I would not give it away for fear of putting others off ballet. My other recordings from Covent Garden or the Bolshoi: Svetlana Zakarova - Both beautiful - The latter from Amazon. Steer clear of the American Ballet - I have wasted my money twice - Far better this side of the Atlantic. Tell the Americans that ballet is a delicate art form not a gymnastic display with film effects

A film version, marred by the camera work
This is a film version of the sublime work, shot in a naturalistic setting in a studio. This version by the American Ballet Theatre was choreographed by David Blair based on the original work by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot. The choreography for Act 1 follows the familiar version, but Act 2 looks rather different from the ones performed by leading ballet companies in Russia and the UK nowadays.

The star is undoubtedly Carla Fracci in the title role. Her dancing is fluid and expressive, and she brings out Giselle's emotions very well. Erik Bruhn is also a good dancer and partner, although I have seen better Albrechts elsewhere. The supporting cast is fair.

But, the main snag of this recording is the restless camera work. One of the reviewers has already commented on "intrusive camera angles". The camera, instead of keeping focused on the main characters in the plot, zooms on one person or object after another, particularly in Act 1. It also often makes close-ups which are not really necessary. It becomes rather tedious. Also, special effects are used, mainly in Act 2, probably to enhance the spooky atmosphere, but it does not really work.

For these reasons, I would rate it only 3, despite a very good performance by the two leading dancers.