When Criterion finally announced their jump into UHD, the initial slate was exciting to say the least. What film fan wouldn’t be thrilled with titles like Citizen Kane, Menace II Society, and Mulholland Drive on this new visually stunning format? However, the title that jumped out at me the most would have been the Powll and Pressburger 1948 ballet classic, The Red Shoes.
I have been marginally obsessed with this film since seeing Dario Argento’s 1978 Italian horror classic Suspiria 20 years ago, and following it’s proverbial trail of breadcrumbs back to Powell and Pressburger’s technicolor masterpiece. The film is loosely based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name. It stars Moira Shearer as Vicky Page, an aspiring ballerina who wishes to join the famed Ballet Lermontov, which as the film begins she is just a fan in the audience of. Along the way she begins a romance with a young jilted composer Julian Craster. She eventually makes it into the company, but realizes that “making it” takes not just dedication to the form, but also to the leader Boris Lermontov, which puts Vicky in the position to choose between art and love.
The Red Shoes is an absolute delight. This film is over 70 years old, so you don’t exactly need me to shed new revelations on it, but it’s a wonderful experience. The narrative holds up as great and powerful drama, and the visuals down to the final “Red Shoes” ballet extravaganza is true cinema spectacle. The vivid use of the technicolor is on true glorious display here, and the 4K only brings that out even more. The performances from the cast are fantastic, and the direction from the Archers is top notch.
Criterion presents the Red Shoes in a spectacular 1:37:1 2160p transfer with HDR. This looks GLORIOUS. I am so happy that Criterion is in the 4k game is this is the example for which they will be working. Colors pop, detail is beyond excellent, and is all very film like. Audio is handled by an LPCM 1.0 track, and works quite well and comes through crisp and clear. Extras include a commentary track, documentary, featurettes, Jeremy Irons reading the novelization, trailers, sketches, and so much more. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.