papeetepatrick Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Cristian and I have been discussing this some, since I've started watching it. I won't put too much to start off, but do want to hear from others regarding this film. I'll just say that I think the 'haunted' aspect of the rather slight material is effective in this movie, perhaps for the wrong reason, i.e., 'Giselle' is one of my least favourite of the full-length 19th century ballets. Maybe the music, which I find very insipid, is appropriate, but it's just that it goes on so long. But I still find I mind the endless corps tiny-movement sections more sweet and innocent than at the Met or in that video with Makarova, the one where I don't like her costumes. Anyway, hope to hear comments from Cristian and all others who have something to say about this movie. Give some historical detail if you have time, too. Strangest credit crawl I've ever seen, with each name lingered over for 15 seconds of real time. Interested in Alonso's dancing, apparently she was blind here, and would like to know when the peak, therefore, of her career, had been. I was impressed with her delicacy and wispy fairylikeness myself. Link to comment
canbelto Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 This movie is the Giselle to get for fans of "Mme. Alonso". It was made in 1964, and she has some shaky moments (the camera artfully cuts away from the developpes of Act 2, and the Spessivtseva solo is taken at a very slow pace) it's still an impressive portrayal. I love how lightning fast her entrechats are in the Act 2 pdd. Alonso's Giselle is of the "stern" variety (think Vishneva, Makarova, or Fracci) rather than the "gentle spirit," (think Ulanova or Cojocaru) but I like stern, determined Giselles. The film is rather rustic, probably implying the inherent superiority of the working man farmers over the aristocrats (just my guess). The production also preserves some mime not typically found in other Giselles. Just before Giselle descends back in her grave, she sadly mimes "I'm already dead" to Albrecht. Aron Plisetsky (Maya P's brother) is a somewhat pudgy, unimpressive Albrecht. Picture quality is not that great. Link to comment
papeetepatrick Posted February 17, 2008 Author Share Posted February 17, 2008 I love how lightning fast her entrechats are in the Act 2 pdd. Yes! You simply can't miss them and you even made me look up to find out exactly what they mean, to be sure I had appreciated the right thing without knowing for sure what it was; they were really delightful. I'm gradually getting hold of all the terms again (I once knew them.) Thank you. Aron Plisetsky (Maya P's brother) is a somewhat pudgy, unimpressive Albrecht. Picture quality is not that great. I loved Mirta Pla though, too. And didn't mind the bad picture quality due to liking some of these old antique films, has some of same problems of graininess as in Kirov 'Sleeping Beauty' movie. She did remind me somehow of Fracci here, although I haven't seen Fracci's 'Giselle'. Link to comment
aurora Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 I love how lightning fast her entrechats are in the Act 2 pdd. Yes! You simply can't miss them and you even made me look up to find out exactly what they mean, to be sure I had appreciated the right thing without knowing for sure what it was; they were really delightful. I'm gradually getting hold of all the terms again (I once knew them.) Thank you. Aron Plisetsky (Maya P's brother) is a somewhat pudgy, unimpressive Albrecht. Picture quality is not that great. I loved Mirta Pla though, too. And didn't mind the bad picture quality due to liking some of these old antique films, has some of same problems of graininess as in Kirov 'Sleeping Beauty' movie. She did remind me somehow of Fracci here, although I haven't seen Fracci's 'Giselle'. OT but if you haven't, you should watch Fracci's Giselle which is available in entirety on youtube. Its marvelous. Link to comment
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