White Nights (Special Edition)

Taylor Hackford's "White Nights" is definitely one of my favorite movies ever. I signed up like two years ago to be notified of the release of this movie on DVD and bought it right away when it became available on Amazon. Nikolai Rodchenko (Mikhail Baryshnikov) is a young and somewhat spoiled Russian ballet legend whose multiple successes in his motherland couldn't match his need for freedom and a life outside the unbearable perennial watch of the Soviet communist regime. So he chooses to defect to the United States where he becomes a major celebrity at the height of the Cold War tensions between the two countries. When traveling from London to Tokyo for a series of presentations, Rodchenko's plane malfunctions and is forced to perform an emergency landing on Russian soil. Nikolai will eventually be caught by the KGB and taken secretly back to Leningrad despite protests from the West. Being as he is, a glory of the Russian ballet, Rodchenko is forced to stay in the URSS and to resume his life as usual. He is put under strict surveillance by the KGB and assigned an accompanying couple, the Greenwood's, who are supposed to inform Rodchenko's whereabouts 24/7 to the soviet intelligence. Raymond Greenwood (Gregory Hines) is an African American tap dancer who tired of living a life of struggle for social and economic betterment in the U.S., voluntarily chose to very publicly "defect" to the URSS in opposition to the War in Vietnam. However flashy his "defection" was -and utterly publicized by the Russians- years have passed and Raymond is now just limited to small performances in little towns around Siberia, still living the life of an underprivileged man, but in the URSS. He married Darya (Isabella Rossellini), a Russian girl who loves him adoringly but who also, to much of her dismay, sometimes cannot hold up against Raymond's frustrations and personal demons. Interaction between Nikolai and Raymond becomes the main subject of the film and Nikolai will make Raymond realize how limited and hopeless life is in the URSS and eventually the three of them will seek a way to return to the United States. The film shows beautiful moving scenes such as the one where a drunk Raymond opens himself up to Nilokai in a heartfelt tap-dance-backed-up monologue, giving an impressively moving and honest performance. It shocks me everytime I watch it. Or my other favorite dancing scene, where Nilokai meets his former lover Galina Ivanova (Helen Mirren) at the stage of the Kirov Theater. Galina has now become a prominent figure of the Soviet Ballet nomenklatur. Together they will reminish about past love and life, and dancing to the passionate lyrics of Vladimir Vysotsky a famous Russian protest poet-singer, Nikolai will desperately and hopelessly try to explain her (and perhaps once more, also to himself) why he had to leave his whole life behind. In the process, he will also try to ease the inner pain of longing for his roots, history and identity. Dancing sequences performed by Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines (both solos and as an ensemble) are incredibly moving and beautiful. Choreographies are Baryshnikov's, Hines's and even there is an incredibly moving opening segment choreographed by Twayla Tharp "The young man and the death" performed by Baryshnikov himself and Florence Faure who will leave you speechless. The music is great (I particularly remember the sticky rhythmic beat of "My love is chemical" by Lou Reed). Despite the obvious age that the picture shows "White Nights" is a beautiful movie, with spectacular dancing sequences, definitely worth watching. Personally to me it is certainly a pity that the whole story is still as appealing as it was twenty years ago. Forced migration was certainly an issue back then in 1985 as it continues to be today. Still in 2007 there are people who are virtually obligated to migrate from their own countries when civil liberties are not in force or about to perish. Just turn your head and watch the horrific example of Cuban "balseros", people who prefer to risk their lives in shark-infected waters seeking the coast of Florida instead of living a freedomless life of craving and need under the communist regime of Fidel Castro. So yes, in a time of a suppousedly "end of ideologies", "White Nights" is a movie that has a well established political posture and yet is also undeniably interesting and moving to watch and enjoy time and time again.

Great movie. Good storyline, great actors and great dancing

A true masterpiece that shows unbelievable dancing in all styles. Thank you

This is a great movie that brings back memories of the 80s with the US against the USSR. Great acting, dancing and a good story line.

One of the best dance movies ever made! Of course, Mikhail Barishnikov is spectacular in his ballet numbers, and Gregory Hines tears it up with his tap, so it's a winning combination all around. Taylor Hackford's direction is also well-done, and he does a good job of capturing the Cold War feel of the Soviet Union using Finland and other Baltic states' landscapes. The dance number at the beginning of Act III is the real draw to this film. With both Gregory and Mikhail dancing to David Pack's number "Prove Me Wrong," and Twyla Thorpe's fantastic choreography, it is the most perfect "spontaneously unspontaneous" number I've ever seen. Love this film: 10 out of 10!

When I got cable back in the 1980s, this was the first movie that I watched. I came in the middle, so I need to find this movie and watch it again.

It's a great move for dance enthusiasts and for people struggling for their freedom.

"White Nights" was a modest hit when released in 1986, and received a DVD release about a dozen years later, then sank from sight, seldom showing up on TV, and pretty much forgotten. That is a shame, because the film holds up upon re-examination. The overall plot is nothing extraordinary, a slight twist on previous Cold War spy films, with the protagonist a ballet dancer instead of a secret agent, but is enhanced by Mikhail Baryshnikov playing a role only slightly removed from his own life. The script is a bit clunky and lacks subtlety; this is not one of director Taylor Hackford's best films (although it may be his favorite, as he met wife Helen Mirren on set). The cast, on the other hand, is incredible (although not always well used), featuring Baryshnikov as a defector unexpectedly caught back in the Soviet Union, Gregory Hines as an American defector who has been used and then discarded by the Soviets for his propaganda value, Helen Mirren as the ballerina and lover left behind, Isabella Rossellini as Hine's Russian wife, the great Polish director/actor Jerzy Skolimowski as the KGB officer, Geraldine Page as Baryshnikov's manager, and John Glover as a CIA agent trying to get him out. There are some great dance sequences in the film, but it is not a dance film. The real lure is Baryshnikov playing a danseur caught in his worst nightmare, trapped in his birth country where he is now considered a criminal, at a time when Baryshnikov was actually considered a criminal by the Soviets. Because of that, he could not return to the USSR, so the film was made in Finland, while a second unit filmed Russian exterior shots with a body double. Baryshnikov's real life drama being played out on screen adds a resonance to the film that keeps it as one of my guilty pleasures. The Blu-ray is nicely done, and a real step up from the DVD, so it is definitely the way to go.

Good acting and a tight, plausible plot with utterly fantastic ballet and tap sequences make this a movie to watch over and over again. Unlike many movies where dance is central, one dancer does not dominate: the artistic interplay between Baryshnikov and Hines is fascinating. It is also a poignant reminder of the dark days of the cold war when individual talents were pointlessly manipulated by both governments. This is NOT a teenage chick flick; anybody of any age and gender will enjoy it. It's wonderful to have this film available again after being ignored for so long.

Zoals altijd een perfecte bediening en levering! Prachtige ruime keuze ook! Dankjewel Amazon !!

J'ai vu ce film à sa sortie C'est un film passionnant avançant sur " 2 poles d'intérets " un thriller et des séquences de danses très prenantes bien intégrées au scénario . Les séquences de danse sont tirés "d'arguments" contemporains et non de ballets "classiques" Barashnikov "crève" l'écran non seulement comme danseur mais également comme acteur .Les autres acteurs sont à l'unisson . Je m'aperçoit aussi de la présence de Helen Miren qui nous a donné plus récemment une "Queen" extraordinaire ( Oscarisée ) . Si vous etes portés sur ce type de film , vous ne regrettez pas de l'avoir vu et vous vous en souviendrez ! Jeepy

Zum Inhalt: Der aus der Sowjetunion geflohene Ballettänzer (Baryshnikow) überfliegt auf dem Weg von den USA nach Japan sein ehemaliges Heimatland im vollbesetzten Jumbojet. Durch einen Defekt am Flugzeug wird er verletzt und landet auf einem Militärflughafen der Russen. Dort wird er in ein Krankenhaus gebracht und die anderen Passagiere werden außer Landes geflogen. Keiner der Mitreisenden - auch nicht seine Managerin - dürfen ihn besuchen. Da nun die ganze Welt ob dieser freundlichen Hilfeleistung der Russen ganz gerührt sind, sind auch die Botschafter und Politiker der USA sehr vorsichtig, was Nachforschungen zu dem verschollenen Tänzer betrifft. Er wird sofort von den russischen Behörden erkannt und nach Verheilung seiner Verletzung nach Sibirien gebracht, wo er bei einem aus den USA geflüchteten Steptänzer (Hines) wohnt. Dem mit einer Russin verheirateten Steptänzer werden Vergünstigungen in Aussicht gestellt, wenn er es schafft, den Ballettänzer zum Training zu bewegen und zur Rückkehr an das Kirov-Theater, an dem er früher getanzt hat. "Kritik": Für mich ist dieser Film der beste Tanzfilm aller Zeiten! Beide Tänzer sind in ihrem Genre die besten ihrer Zeit (1985). Sie sind sehr unterschiedlich und jeder in seiner Art genial. Die Tanzszenen sind phantastisch und immer auch Teil der Geschichte. Wenn die beiden gemeinsam tanzen - die gleichen Schritte, die gleichen Bewegungen, aber jeder in seinem ganz eigenen Stil ausgeführt - das ist atemberaubend. Der Steptänzer mit seiner coolen Lässigkeit, der Ballettänzer mit seiner unglaublichen Eleganz und beide zusammen harmonieren wunderbar. Der Soundtrack ist auch heute noch sehr gut anzuhören. Darüberhinaus ist der Film auch ein sehr spannender Thriller aus der Zeit, da die Sowjetunion noch völlig abgeschottet war und offen restriktiv mit ihren Bewohnern umging. Making of: Es sind Interviews auf der DVD u.a. von Isabella Rossellini, in denen die Darsteller erzählen, wie es war, als der Film gedreht wurde. Zum Beispiel hat Baryshnikov sich geweigert, in die Sowjetunion zu reisen, da die Geschichte seiner eigenen Biographie ähnelt und er befürchtete, Ärger zu bekommen. Die Interviews wurden für die DVD geführt, also 2006, während der Film 1985 gedreht wurde. Leider ist kein Interview von Mikhail Baryshnikov dabei und Gregory Hines ist bereits 2003 verstorben. Kaufempfehlung: Unbedingt! Es ist ein genialer Tanzfilm und spannender Thriller in einem, wodurch der Film auch für Konstellationen geeignet sein könnte, bei denen nur 1 Teil Fan von Tanzfilmen ist.....

I went to the preview of this film in 1985 having won tickets for two from a local radio station. My sister and I went to see it, not knowing what it would be like, but knowing we both love dance, she being a dancer herself. We loved every blessed minute of the film. Ballet meets Tap, East meets West. The two stars compliment each other perfectly. My sister bought this for me as a present, and I returned the favour. It is now a most treasured posession. Even if you dont know much about dance, you will love the story woven through it of a Defector to the west to pursue is Ballet career in a free society. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Some great music too by Phil Collins. Buy it today, you wont regret it.