American Ballet Theatre, it's home at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, has to be the best ballet company in my opinion and this performance is one of it's best. Angel Corella is phenomenal as Conrad's Slave. I used to dance for 11 years so I greatly appreciate the fine filming of this ballet. In between the acts the various stars of the ballet are interviewed, as well as the Artistic Director, Kevin McKenzie, and explain the story and what will happen in the next act etc. It is a light-hearted story with sweeping, lush, adventurous music as well as exquisite costumes. Not only is it excitingly romantic but also comical. Anyone who loves Pirates and the art of ballet would adore this film. I must say it is not a "movie" so to speak. It was filmed as it was performed on stage for Dance in America, Great Performances on PBS. As I mentioned earlier, the fact of it being filmed as it was being performed for a live audience made it all the more exciting to watch and hear the vast crowd explode into applause after the graceful Pas de Deux or the magnificent solos of Angel Corella or Julie Kent. I highly recommend this film to ballet lovers. It is a spectacle of talent, beauty, comedy, romance, and adventure.
