The Turning Point [1977] [DVD]

The storyline is based on two good friends who look back on their different choices, each with some envy on the other. They knew each other as ballerinas and both were tipped to be principals, but Shirley's character took the path of marriage and family, whist the other became the ballet star that both had aspired to be. There is much more to the storyline, which makes fascinating viewing with some sad and poignant scenes as well as some very funny moments. Ballet fans will enjoy the second half, which does have some snippets of truly outstanding ballet. After seeing this film I readily recommended as key viewing to friends and relatives with an interest in ballet as it reflects the passion and commitment of the dancing profession as well as the sorrow behind sacrifices made to succeed.

I loved the family feeling of the dance company how they all looked after each other. Sometimes thing don't go the way you hoped this film should make young people realise if they have dream about dance they can do it if they are disciplined. I entered Rambert professional ballet dance school at 26 with one year of prep. I wish i had seen this before. Im also a huge fan of Shirley Maclaine. Fans of her wont be disappointed . Its wonderful!!!

The film itself deserves five stars, however the picture quality of the DVD lets it ever so slightly down - it's fine if watched on a small screen, but it's nowhere near sharp on a large modern HD screen. Having said that, it's nice to be able to own this oldie but goodie and it comes at an affordable price. The sound quality is rather good and English subtitles are available.The story is set in the world of professional ballet with its jealousies and rivalries. There are some jaw dropping dance scenes, in particular those featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov, but there is not enough of that to make it an out and out dance film. He plays the male dance star and love interest of young ballerina Emilia. The real drama however plays out between the two middle aged female leads, the ageing ballerina Emma (Anne Bancroft) and her friend and former rival Deedee (Shirley McLaine) who chose marriage and motherhood over a dance career. The two women reunite when Deedee's daughter Emilia starts out on what is a promising dancing career. Each woman has regrets, and there is much drama as emotions run high.Being set in the timeless world of classical ballet this 40+ year old film from the 70s has aged surprisingly well and is still an enjoyable watch. At the time it received numerous Oscar nominations (11 in total), among them acting nominations for both leading ladies as well as supporting actress/actor nominations for Leslie Brown and Mikhail Baryshnikov who prove that they are not only amazing dancers but also have a great presence on the screen and can convincingly deliver a line. Highly recommended for anybody who likes female led drama. And, obviously, for all fans of classical ballet in general and Mr Baryshnikov in particular.

I saw this movie when I was a 13 year old wannabee ballerina, who later became a ballerina.I loved the story and the choreography and the story of a young rising star hoping to join a company is inspiring.Mischa is at his best in this and the repertoire is excellent. I used to watch the excerpts and dream of dancing those steps, later in my career I used the film to gain tips for my own performances.So glad to find it on dvd here, I had a taped off the TV cassette which has long worn out, now my own aspiring dancer daughter can watch this wonderful movie.

Many are unable to grasp the two very different lives of dancers. First the hard work, frustrations and sheer pain of the non-performing bit. Then the sheer ecstasy of performance - like a caged bird being set free. A young Mikhail Baryshnikov and Leslie Browne illustrate this superbly as they entangle human emotions with artistic disciplines. If you like this film - you will definitely like "Dancers". It's a rare film, published by Kulture and I think only obtainable on video. However, an older Leslie Browne's performance takes on a new meaning as she again encounters that (now) supreme artist of dance Baryshnikov.

The one star is not for the film as having seen it many years ago I was looking forward to watching it again but is for the quality of the DVD. Unfortunately as I received it at the beginning of September but have only just viewed it and found it to be faulty I am too late to return it for exchange or refund. It starts off OK but about 10 to 15 minutes in, the picture just disappears and there is nothing more. Very disappointing and this will make me very wary of buying more DVD's asI usually choose a few at a time but do not watch them straight away. In fact from this batch I still have at least 6 more to watch. Worrying! I hope I have not paid good money for nothing.

I saw this many years ago and always watched it every time it came on television. Now I want to help inspire a love of ballet in my daughter this is the perfect film. I also noted things on the reviews of this DVD that I had forgotten: like that Shirley Maclaine was in it - she and Ann Bancroft give very good performances, but the real star is the dancing and I've never forgotten Leslie Browne's joyful dancing to Chopin (I think tho' it may be Liszt) at the end.

Enjoyable, but Baryshnikov is somehow embarrassing, Leslie Browne and/or her character is a drip, and it could have done with more ballet and less arched-eyebrow angst from the leading ladies. It was originally cast with ballerina Gelsey Kirkland - she and Misha, with whom she was having a destructive relationship, were supposed to be more or less playing themselves - but she got out of it. I think one can see why.Better (but for some reason less well known) ballet films are White Nights or The Company, in my opinion. (I haven't seen Black Swan but if you want a good giggle check out the 26-and-counting 1-star Amazon reviews of it!).

This is an incredible dance movie. Baryshnikov is totally brilliant. What a fabulous dancer. I was totally consumed with new comer Leslie Browne. The fighting scene with the two moms (Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft) definitely show how their friendship has lasted for years. Breathtaking movie. I'll certainly have many enjoyable moments watching this movie over and over again.

Joli divertissement mais sans plus rien à voir avec soleil de nuit

Ein Semi-Klassiker aus den 1970ern, der voll und ganz von Bancrofts und MacLaines bravourösen Darsteller-Leistungen lebt. Seinerzeit für -zig Oscars nominiert, konnte "Turning Point" nicht eine Trophäe einheimsen. Wohl auch deshalb steht er heute noch in so manchem Filmbuch. Ansonsten ist ihm der Zahn der Zeit nicht besonders gut bekommen. Der Streifen hat deutliche Längen und keine allzu ansprechende Ästhetik. Interessant ist die Wahl des Sujets, welches durchaus zeitlos ist: das Hadern mit dem Altern, das Bedauern nicht wahrgenommener Chancen, der melancholische Blick zurück. Heutzutage wäre ein solch sensitives Thema (zumindest in Hollywood) nicht mehr verfilmbar. Schon allein deshalb nicht, weil selbst Schauspielerinnen jenseits der 50 keine 40jährigen spielen dürfen (oder wollen oder können). Audrey Hepburn hatte ursprünglich eine Hauptrollen übernehmen sollen, es wäre nach zehn filmfreien Jahren ihr Comeback geworden. Bancroft und MacLaine spielen uneitel und authentisch, es ist eine Freude, ihnen zuzusehen. Für Fans des "leisen" Films ein Tipp, wer mehr auf Action oder Kurzweil steht, sollte "Turning Point" zielsicher meiden.

Combine Anne Bancroft, Shirley MacLaine, Tom Skerritt, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Leslie Browne and Martha Scott...throw in the Corps de Ballet of any reputable company plus the aging ballerina, Alexandra Danilova, as well as the famed apartments above the stage at Carnegie Hall and you have a very believable and entertaining film about transitioning from ballet to ballet to even more ballet. I was pleasantly surprised to see the treatment given the character of Emma, beautifully acted by Anne Bancroft, was not one which elicited moanful oh nooooo's! As a non-dancer, they depicted her perfectly and yet, her positioning, arm and hand movements were spot on. Even Shirley MacLaine, who is a dancer by trade, was not depicted as an aging ballerina in anything but dialog. Anne Bancroft cuts a delicate and elegant figure from any vantage point and is one of the most versatile actresses ever to grace the screen. Her preparation and understanding of the dance is evident in her actions and reactions. We don't often get to see the back stage machinations or personal interactions of any company, let alone from the world of ballet so this was a special treat for all comers! Within the context are snippets of dance sequences that are a delight for anyone who loves the excitement of dance. Leslie Browne delivers a fine performance as, Emilia, Dee Dee's daughter who happens to be Emma's Godchild and who will be the next prima ballerina. Mikhail Baryshnikov is splendid as, Yuri, the handsome Russian lover of the company who knows everyone intimately and dances superlatively. He is always exciting to watch, even when not in tights! The story is one of past, present and future and as two aging ballerinas come to grips with their places within and outside the company for whom they both danced...the next generation is poised and waiting in the wings as even those behind them are crashing the entry doors to the practice floors and careers of a lifetime. This is a story of desire, commitment, missed opportunities, recriminations, self doubt, acceptance, dreams and successes realized and yet, overall, this is a story of hope even as the torch is passed. This is a film I have watched over and over again through the years and is always a first choice for re-viewing one of the great films of the era.

This DVD arrived fast and in perfect condition. It is an awesome film. Even better than I remembered. The dancing is the most extraordinary I have ever seen, an I love ballet and modern dancing so when I say awesome, which is seldom, I really mean it.Also, it is all regions, so important. Plus, subtitles in several languages. Thank you so much.