A combination of story, melodrama and ballet sets the stage for some of Stravinsky’s most brilliant music.
This terrific film adaption of The Soldier’s Tale offers rare footage of the Royal Ballet’s Svetlana Beriosova, who performs in an extended dance sequence towards the story’s end. Meanwhile, Robert Helpmann is in his element as the Devil, being the natural choice to play the eight different roles of the Devil using his brilliant talent for mime, dance and acting. Actor Brian Phelan does a fine job as the hapless soldier. Extras include performer profiles, biographies of Stravinsky and Ramuz and the synopsis. This is a great film for the kids too!
Music by Igor Stravinsky; libretto by C. F. Ramuz. Directed by Michael Birkett, 1964.
The Devil – Robert Helpmann
The Princess – Svetlana Beriosova
The Soldier – Brian Phelan
Narrator – Derek Godfrey
Region Code: 0
Format & Aspect Ratio: NTSC
Number of discs: 1
Run time: 52 minutes
Studio: Kultur
Release date: reissued 2013
