Isadora (1968)

A biography of the dancer Isadora Duncan, the 1920s dancer who forever changed people's ideas of ballet. Her nude, semi-nude, and pro-Soviet dance projects as well as her attitudes on free ... See full summary »

Director:

Karel Reisz

Writers:

Melvyn Bragg (adaptation), Melvyn Bragg (screenplay),

Stars:

Vanessa Redgrave, John Fraser, James Fox

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Isadora Duncan
John Fraser	...	Roger
James Fox	...	Gordon Craig
Jason Robards	...	Singer
Zvonimir Crnko	...	Essenin (as Ivan Tchenko)
Vladimir Leskovar	...	Bugatti
Cynthia Harris	...	Mary Desti
Bessie Love	...	Mrs. Duncan
Tony Vogel	...	Raymond Duncan
Libby Glenn	...	Elizabeth Duncan
Ronnie Gilbert	...	Miss Chase
Wallas Eaton	...	Archer
Nicholas Pennell	...	Bedford
John Quentin	...	Pim
Christian Duvaleix	...	Armand - a feeble pianist in love with Isadora

Storyline

A biography of the dancer Isadora Duncan, the 1920s dancer who forever changed people's ideas of ballet. Her nude, semi-nude, and pro-Soviet dance projects as well as her attitudes on free love, debt, dress, and lifestyle shocked the public of her time.

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Plot Keywords:

dancer | dance | ballet | 1920s | debt | 

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Taglines:

The Life and Many Loves of the Most Exciting Woman of Our Time

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

M

Details

Country:

UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 August 1969 (Finland)

Also Known As:

The Loves of Isadora

Filming Locations:

British Museum, Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hakim, Paris Film, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min 153 min (director's cut) 168 min (original release) 144 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Vanessa Redgrave trained for six months in order to imitate Isadora Duncan's dancing style in the film.

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Quotes

Isadora Duncan: [about America] You were once wild here. Don't let them tame you.

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Connections

Featured in Merci Dr Rey! (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Brahms 1st Symphony"
Composed by Johannes Brahms

User Reviews

Under-appreciated director, and undervalued screenplay,

Over the past weekend, I viewed a VHS of Isadora. Throughout the movie (and I assume this was in the script), the motif of the scarf is repeated in various ways showing that she loved scarves and billowy fabric; even if she didn't in real life, the reinforcement of the scarf (as well as her pursuit of the man driving the Bugatti), gives her death a logic and finality that "real" life cannot. Surely, Isadora's death must have been so fictional as not to be believed, as well as the fate of her children. Film-makers must craft a film in such a way that the viewer believes that every moment is true. Compare this screenplay with what Robert McKee says about writing screenplays in his incomparable book, Story, and you'll agree that the Isadora screenplay is undervalued. Also, Redgrave's performance is surely one of the finest of any era--and should have gotten the Oscar, but thankfully won at Cannes (outside the Hollywood political machine). The length of the film, to me, was no problem; the life of Isadora Duncan, could not have been shown in less. The stage scenes of her dancing were perfectly directed and illustrated how she could fill a theatre while also being rejected.