Frankenstein (ballet) (2017)

by | Mar 15, 2017 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

A surprising ballet version of the Frankenstein story.

Frankenstein (ballet) (2017)

Performers: The Royal Ballet
Dancers: Federico Bonelli, Laura Morera, Steven McRae
Director: Ross MacGibbon
Studio: Opus Arte OA 1231 D (2/24/17) [Distr. by Naxos]
Video: For 16:9 screens, anamorphic, color
Audio: DTS-HD MA 5.1
All regions
Extras: Introduction, Casting the ballet, Lowell Liebermann (composer) and Liam Scarlet on the music, John Macfarlane on the design, Darcey Bussell in the studio with Scarlett & Morera
Length: 144 min.
Rating: *****

I actually enjoyed this new ballet version of the Frankenstein story, and pretty much understood all the movements on the screen, which is unusual for a modern ballet. The one thing I failed to understand was the role of the nasty grandmother. The music is tonal and quite appropriate to the story. The monster himself becomes a fulltime dancer in the second half and is rather good. The sets and costumes are excellent and the video is as good as a Blu-ray.

—John Sunier

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