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

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.

Good quality CD. Wonderful movie!

Best male dancer performing an amazing solo…reason for getting this film. Baryshnikov is G.O.A.T.!!!

I Love this movie. I forgot all about it till I watched Sex and the City with him in the last season. So this made me want to see this again. Did a lot of searching on APPS couldn't find it, so I bought this copy and it was in great condition..

The first DVD had to be replaced because it stopped midway thru the movie. Just before the best performance in the film was shown the DVD failed and nothing could get it to play. Kindly and with speed the seller sent me a replacement DVD. The second DVD also failed at approximately the same scene on this movie. I received a refund and I don't have a copy of the movie.

This a terrific movie if you like some gorgeous ballet sequences throughout a drama about how our life choices when we are young affect the rest of our lives. Anne Bancroft and Shirley MacLaine give really great performances as two middle age woman that decided to make very different choices about their careers in ballet when young. Still best friends they have many resentments towards each other and regrets within themselves. MacLaine marries another ballet dancer played by Tom Skerrit and has three children. They have a dance studio which fulfills Skerrit's life dreams but leaves MacLaine upset that she did not choose the path that Bancroft did as a prima ballerina who has known fame and fortune but lacks real love in her life. MacLaine's oldest daughter is a dancer with the talent to be in the limelight. I liked how they show her dancing and at the same time exploring love too. There is some real fireworks set off by the main characters involved. It is beautifully acted and directed. If you love a mix of dance and drama you will be pleased by this moving film.

As a 22 year old, this movie came out before I was even born, but growing up, my mother always use to play this movie for us. I think I watched it over 300 times in my life, which is probably why I am a dance major. ANYWAYS, this movie can be watched by anyone. Everything about this movie makes its amazing. You get to see Baryshnikov in his prime, which many of us young dancers never got to view, and you get to see some amazing actress's in action. The whole plot behind the movie is something many dancers to this day are faced with. The question is, to leave dance to start a family and have a "normal" life, or to stay in dance forever....never expierencing a family but always be idolized for the achievments you have made. It shows both sides of the spectrum as well as some amazing dance scene's.This movie is timeless. Yeah the clothes and hair have change, but the whole idea of what it represents has always been the same in the world of ballet.If you are a ballet lover than this has to be part of your collection!

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.