Anton WalbrookThe Red Shoes (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD] [Blu-ray]

An absolute classic! This is what movie-making is all about!Wow! Criterion has done a superlative, truly inspired job creating an absolutely glorious looking 4K Blu-ray of Powell and Pressberger's greatest masterpiece "The Red Shoes".Martin Scorcese says this is his all-time favorite film and I can see why. It's certainly among my own very few all-time favorites as well. The BFI puts it near the very top of their list of all-time greatest British films ever made too.The Red Shoes is one of the most stunningly original and innovative films in the history of cinema. It was made in a truly masterful fashion by The Archers (who's films are always credited as "Written, produced & directed by Michael Powell & Emeric Pressberger").This was a filmmaking team who endeavored to create movies unlike anything anyone had ever seen before, and "The Red Shoes" stands as their greatest achievement.The Technicolor in this 4K presentation is off-the-charts magnificent, the cinematography is breathtaking, the music is phenomenal, the acting is beyond compare, the script is absolutely extraordinary, the directing is inspired--films simply don't get any better than this amazingly powerful and gloriously beautiful movie!This is one of the greatest classic British films ever made (listed by the British Film Institute along with other British masterpieces such as Lawrence of Arabia, Kind Hearts and Coronets and The Bridge on the River Kwai) and this Criterion 4K Blu-ray version does it justice in every conceivable way.If you've never seen The Red Shoes, prepare yourself to see something truly special that will be one of the most unforgettable viewing experiences of your life. If you already know what an incredible movie "The Red Shoes" is, prepare to see it more magnificently presented than you could have ever imagined on this amazing looking 4K Blu-ray from Criterion.This is one mind-blowingly impressive disc of one of the most brilliant movies ever made!I couldn't possibly recommend it more highly! If you love truly great films, you absolutely MUST own this amazing disc!Criterion has done it again, and this time they've done it in stunningly beautiful 4K! An absolutely phenomenal disc!

An amazing transfer of one of the greatest technicolor films ever made. A 4K television is required to see this film in all its glory. The extras were excellent and showed the care in producing this film.

A great movie!

A thought provoking story about the conflict between art and human relationships.

I'm not into ballet, but I love musicals. This film I love very much precisely because of its music. And yet, the plot was also enticing. There is Vicky Page, a ballerina who must dance for its own sake; Lermontov, a producer of ballet whom considers the art of dancing a religion, and Julian Craster, a talented composer. Miss Page and Mr. Craster end up working for Lermontov because of their talents. The three are able to produce "The Red Shoes," which becomes a success with the public. With this ballet production, Lermontov is more than convinced that Miss Page will be.a success and a great dancer, but at the same time, Vicky and Julian become in love, something that Lermontov considers destructive to the art of dancing. By the way, the story of "The Red Shoes" by Hans Christian Andersen, is about a ballerina who wears magical red shoes for a ball, and after the ball is over, she cannot take them off. So, she keeps dancing until she dies, never being able to free herself from them. Something similar happens in this movie. Vicky plays the role of the victim from the fairy tale as her love for Julian collides with Lermontov's artistic dogmatism. Two views of art collide: Craster's view that art is an inspiration provided by human experience, and Lermontov's view that art is above human experience and human nature, something that must be ignored. The ending is as tragic as the fairy tale, but it is a beautiful tragedy to be remembered (like Romeo and Juliet).This film is also beautifully restored, and I strongly believe that even if you are not a ballet fan, you will enjoy every minute of this film, including the 15 or 20 minutes of the presentation of the ballet "The Red Shoes."

The Red Shoes is eerily, mermerizingly CLASSIC in every way....... The visuals and COLORS of the film are not to be believed..... it is truly eerie..... I don't know anything about cinematography or types of film used to make movies, but there was something VERY VERY DIFFERENT back in 1948 when this film was made and it is heartrending because it adds so much EMOTION to every scene...... you will not believe that you are watching a film made 76 years ago..... 76!!!!!!! This film is a POIGNANT CLASSIC that you will NEVER, EVER FORGET :-)

I must say I was a little disappointed buying this film for the second time and seeing that the picture doesn’t appear much different from the copy I already had. I thought the Blu-ray edition was beautiful and was so excited to hear it was going to be released in 4K. The picture quality is still magnificent of course, but for me it’s at the same level as the Blu-ray. I’m still keeping it because I love this movie so much, it seems disrespectful to NOT have it in 4K if I already got. I recommend buying it for anyone who doesn’t already own it. If you do own the Blu-ray, I’d say you’re not missing out.

Fantastic 4k transfer that was handmade based on old negatives. As Scorcese says in the documentary included this may look much better than even the original theatrical release due to the way technicolor was done at the time. Criterion has a done a great job with this treatment.The Archers were at the height of their artistic relationship making this movie. It is a great movie about the allure of art, what it means to each of us, and what art motivated people are willing to sacrifice for their dreams and goals. A basic understanding of ballet and classical music will help you understand/enjoy this movie move, but not required.