The Turning Point (1977) [ NON-USA FORMAT, Blu-Ray, Reg.B Import - Denmark ]

The plot of this 1977 movie will stay with you. Anne Bancroft and Shirley MacLaine, are professional ballerinas whose lives took different paths, and then their lives intersect again dramatically, a generation later. Believable plot and spot on acting. I highly, highly recommend this picture.

I was slightly disappointed with the picture and sound quality, but the movie itself was as wonderful as I remembered. Excellent writing, acting, and an entertaining story. The big bonus: All the spectacular dancing to the glorious music.

Enjoyed

an anne bancroft film is always worth watching.

One of my favorite movies of all time. I watch it with my Granddaughters over and over because we all love Ballet.

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.

Paid for Cinemax so I could watch this film again. But it doesn't play. What up, Amazon?

I ordered this DVD because I wanted English subtitles. The description specified English subtitles. However after ordering and reordering3x I finally gave up. I have received 2 credits, but am still waiting for the 3 rd one.Virginia Jones

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.

For anyone loving dance, ballet in particular, this film is a pleasurable experience and the story of rivalries within the ballet world provide a storybook backdrop to a film full of wonderful examples of great ballet dancing.Anne Bancroft and Shirley Maclaine, stalwarts of the film acting world, add vigour and depth to what is, essentially, a family film for matinee viewing. Bancroft plays the fading, but still dedicated, ballerina who has given up everything, especially family and children, for The Dance. Maclaine is her opposite who did give up her dancing for her family. But her daughter, played with exquisite loveliness by Lesley Browne of the American Ballet Theatre, is to prove that her sacrifice was not in vain.Mikhail Baryshnikov in his film debut enhances the film to heights of wonder with his magnificent dancing and he proves he can act a little in his delightful scenes with the ingenue but ambitious young fledgling dancer.The best parts of the film are, obviously, the fabulous dancing, the best of which is the pas de deux from Don Quixote with Baryshnikov's leaps simply stunning.Recommended for both Maclaine and Bancroft in fine style and for Baryshnikov's and Browne's beautiful dancing.

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.

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.

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.