Dame Margot Fonteyn (1919-1991) was perhaps the foremost prima ballerina of the 20th century, a dancer who was a sensation both in her native Britain and on American tours, and whose professional pairing with the much younger Rudolf Nureyev late in her career remains legendary. Apart from a remarkable career on the stage, her life was—to say the least—colorful, including her marriage to Roberto Arias, a Panamanian ambassador with whom she was implicated in an unsuccessful coup d'état to seize power in that Latin American country (Fonteyn nursed Arias for years after he was shot by a rival politician). Some may feel that at more than two-and-a-half hours, Tony Palmer's documentary is a bit too devoted to his subject, but in reality the director's indefatigability pays rich dividends, covering both Fonteyn's spectacular professional success and her troubled personal relationships equally well. Palmer appears to have had access to just about every frame of available footage featuring Fonteyn—both news clips and ballet performances—and he's interviewed virtually every conceivable source, from her dancing partners and biographers to relatives of her late husband. As elegant as its dazzling subject, this is a moving and incisive documentary that celebrates an astonishing talent while also portraying a woman frequently misused by those closest to her. Featuring an excellent anamorphic transfer, serviceable stereo sound, and a bonus photo gallery, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Tony Palmer's Film About Margot
(2005) 163 min. DVD: $29.99. Kultur International Films. Color cover. ISBN: 0-7697-7747-3. Volume 21, Issue 5
Tony Palmer's Film About Margot
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