The Firebird

The Swedish director Hasse Ekman made all kinds of films of very varying quality and contents, but this should be his oddest and most unusual, for there had hardly been any Swedish ballet film made before, while the quality here of the dancing is superb. There are two major ballets, one in the beginning and one providing the Finale, showing the "Firebird" ballet in intoxicating splendour with very impressing costumes and direction, giving undeniable associations to Powell and Pressburger in their Red Shoes. The lead here is the outstanding ballerina Ellen Rasch, who not only dances like an angel but acts well and is overwhelmingly beautiful as well. Naturally the world diva Tito Gobbi falls for her, while it is difficult to see whar she falls for in him, except for the voice, which delivers some fabulous arias. There is another ballerina as well, played by the actress Eva Henning, who is envious of Ellen Rasch and her art and acts accordingly with no good results for any of them. Nevertheless, the film is sensational for being what it is and coming from Sweden, no Ingmar Bergman here but rather the contrary, and a major treat for anyone who can enjoy classical ballet on film.