The Red Shoes

Time rushes by, love rushes by, life rushes by, but the red shoes dance on. With its captivating behind-the-scenes insights into the creative process, fairytale enchantments and characters for whom art is more important than life itself, The Red Shoes is perhaps the definitive ballet film. It details the staging of a glittering new production of The Red Shoes by the Ballet Lermontov, conveying how the intensity of the production and the behaviour of uncompromising impresario Boris Lermontov drive prima ballerina Victoria Page to the very edge. Shot in glorious Technicolor by Jack Cardiff, The Red Shoes won Oscars for art direction and music, and features standout performances by real-life ballerina Moira Shearer and Anton Walbrook at his ruthless best. It’s no surprise that Powell and Pressburger’s cinematic fever dream has inspired generations of artists and filmmakers.

Claire Smith, Senior Curator of Special Collections, BFI National Archive

Supported by Simon and Harley Hessel.

See other digital screenings of this film.

See the Seniors’ paid matinee + intro.

See The Red Shoes: Beyond the Mirror exhibition and our Powell + Pressburger season.