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(out of 5)
The most beloved of all the films that Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger ever made is this beautiful tale inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s story. Probably one of the most gorgeous uses of colour ever made, it’s about a brilliant ballerina (Moira Shearer, showing equally impressive skills as both actor and dancer) who becomes the muse of a theatrical impresario (Anton Walbrook) and the love of his musical director (Marius Goring). When she is forced to choose between the two men, her love and her career, she finds herself faced with a choice too difficult to make and is led towards dire circumstances. The centrepiece of the film is a near-twenty minute ballet sequence, the first successful marriage of classical dance and film, one that is full of brilliant visual effects and endlessly creative images. The story lags quite a bit, it relies too heavily on archetypes and not individual characterizations, but there’s so much reward involved that you just can’t miss it.
Directed by Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Screenplay by Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, additional dialogue by Keith Winter, based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen
Cinematography by Jack Cardiff
Produced by Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Music by Brian Easdale
Production Design by Hein Heckroth
Costume Design by Hein Heckroth
Film Editing by Reginald Mills
Golden Globe Awards 1948
