While the present-tense interviews with 20 members of the two Ballets Russes companies will play splendidly on DVD, one should definitely see the film in a theatre to get the full impact of its awesome archival dance footage...

| May 7, 2020

This is an invaluable record of ballet performances from the first half of the 20th century that otherwise might've been lost forever.

| Jul 7, 2017

Chock-a-block with invaluable footage of historical performances and reminiscences by eminent survivors, gorgeous and awe-inspiring in their unquenchable life force.

| Mar 1, 2007

The talking heads, clips and photos are all so warm and dynamic that they make for quite a watchable film.

| Sep 22, 2006

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 12, 2006

An informative, insightful glimpse into the ballet company that made an impact on the development of the dance form...a history lesson and an unforgettable close up encounter with some of its artists

| May 10, 2006

| Original Score: 7/10 | May 6, 2006

| Original Score: 3/5 | May 6, 2006

An uplifting and deeply satisfying meditation on the passage of time and the resilience of the human spirit.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 31, 2006

Surprisingly heavy on its feet.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Mar 30, 2006

Misses out on a chance for wider appeal by mixing approaches, dryly unloading lots of inside-baseball information about a ballet company that went kaput more than 40 years ago.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Mar 30, 2006

Never fully explores the stubborn, arduous passion of ballet, [but] . . . skips along pleasantly enough from pointed anecdotes to historical footage before closing with a stirring final flourish.

Full Review | Mar 22, 2006

A casual interest in dance is all it takes to enjoy Ballets Russes, an enchanting new documentary about the famed French ballet company.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 17, 2006

... a heartening affirmation of the spirit that helped many dancers to thrive in their heyday more than half a century ago and to survive as teachers, dance devotees and priceless raconteurs.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 10, 2006

Even non-ballet fans can find something captivating in this multifaceted portrait of enormous artistry, elite talent and fierce rivalry, all set against the unique permutations of 20th century history.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Mar 9, 2006

Enchanting, edifying and exhilarating.

Full Review | Mar 8, 2006

Deftly mixing talking-head interviews, archival footage, and sly musical cues, Ballets Russes impressively catalogues 30 years of the companies' triumphs and failures, and does so in a way that a dance neophyte can easily absorb ...

| Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 4, 2006

A rather dry story that's really more for dance enthusiasts than the general public.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Mar 3, 2006

Lets even those who hardly know the difference between a tu-tu and a pirouette in on the inner secrets of the illustrious ballet company.

| Original Score: A- | Feb 18, 2006

Ballets Russes is a riveting document of the history of 20th century ballet, partly for the films but mostly for the extensive interviews with the 'baby ballerinas' and other remarkable dancers.

| Feb 18, 2006