The Red Shoes

The Red Shoes


Eagle-Lion Films, 1948, Color, 134 minutes

Released September, 1948 (UK)

Released October, 1948 (USA)



A glorious Technicolor epic that influenced generations of filmmakers, artists, and aspiring ballerinas, The Red Shoes intricately weaves backstage life with the thrill of performance. A young ballerina (Moira Shearer) is torn between two forces: the composer who loves her (Marius Goring), and the impresario determined to fashion her into a great dancer (Anton Walbrook).



Producer: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger

Assistant Producer: George R. Busby

Directors: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger

Screenplay: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, additional dialogue by Keith Winter and Marius Goring

(based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen)

Original Music: Brian Easdale, Kenny Baker

Production Design: Hein Heckroth

Choreography: Robert Helpmann (The Ballet of The Red Shoes), Léonide Massine (The Shoemaker)

Art Direction: Arthur Lawson

Costumes: Carven, Dorothy Edwards, Hein Heckroth

Cinematography: Jack Cardiff

Editor: Reginald Mills



Cast: Anton Walbrook [Boris Lermontov], Marius Goring [Julian Craster], Moira Shearer [Victoria Page], Robert Helpmann [Ivan Boleslawsky], Leonide Massine [Grischa Ljubov], Albert Bassermann [Sergei Ratov], Ludmilla Tchérina [Irina Boronskaja], Esmond Knight [Livingstone "Livy" Montagne], Jean Short [Terry Tyler], Gordon Littmann [Ike Tanner], Julia Lang [Weirdie, A Balletomane], Bill Shine [Beardie, Weirdie's Companion], Austin Trevor [Professor Andrew Palmer], Eric Berry [Dimitri], Irene Browne [Lady Neston], Jerry Verno [George, the Stagedoor Keeper], Derek Elphinstone [Lord Peter Oldham], Madame Rambert [Herself], Joy Rawlins [Gladys, Vicky's friend], Marcel Poncin [M. Boudin], Michel Bazalgette [M. Rideaut], Yvonne Andre [Vicky's Dresser], Hay Petrie [Boisson], Hilda Gaunt [Accompianist], Alan Carter, Joan Harris [Solo Dancers], Joan Sheldon, Paula Dunning, Brian Ashbridge, Denis Carey, Lynne Dorval, Helen France, Robert Dorning, Eddie Gaillard, Paul Hammond, Tommy Linden, Trisha Linova, Guy Massey, John Regan, Peggy Sager, Ruth Sendler [Dancers]



Musical Program: Ballet of The Red Shoes (Performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham, Bart.); Dance music (Performed by Ted Heath's Kenny Baker Swing Group); Aria (Sung by Margherita Grandi); Act 2 Coda (Allegro vivace) from ballet Swan Lake