Black Tights

Black Tights is a 1961 French dance film that beautifully combines ballet, drama, and music in one cinematic masterpiece. The film is directed by Terence Young, a director known for his contribution to the James Bond series, and features French veterans of stage and screen, including Maurice Chevalier, Zizi Jeanmaire, and the acclaimed company, Les Ballets de Paris. It's a film that truly showcases the vast world of ballet, displaying it as a living, breathing form of storytelling filled with passion, talent, and aesthetic pleasure.

The film is an anthology structure and its uniqueness lies in its format, which is an amalgamation of four distinct ballet sequences each with their own story. The sequences deviate in styles and themes, offering a sumptuous sampling of ballet's potential for emotional depth and varied storytelling.

The first ballet sequence named 'Carmen' is inspired by Georges Bizet's Opera; it is a passionate narrative about a beautiful woman named Carmen who captivates a soldier with her charm, leading to a tragic ending. Rolande's sinful Carmen is a sight to behold. She beautifully depicts the defiant Carmen who fiercely seeks independence and love in a patriarchal society.

In the second ballet, 'La Croqueuse de Diamants' (The Diamond Cruncher), we step away from the tragedy of 'Carmen' to something more light-hearted and fun. The story centres around a glamorous woman with an eye for expensive jewelry, reminding viewers of classic caper movies from Hollywood's Golden Age. Zizi Jeanmaire shines in the lead role, showcasing her delicate yet powerful dance skills. The movements in her performance resonate perfectly with the light-hearted theme of the narrative.

The third ballet, 'Deuil en 24 Heures' (A Merry Mourning), provides a twist on a husband's grief after losing his wife. It veers towards the unexpected by introducing elements of comedy to the otherwise gloomy theme of death. This ballet is more satirical and farcical, allowing the dancers to display their versatility and range of talent. Maurice Chevalier takes center stage here, showing off his comedic prowess alongside the delicate eloquence of the ensemble.

In the final ballet, 'Cyrano de Bergerac', we are taken on an emotional journey with some phenomenal dance sequences. Loosely based on the classic French love tragedy of the same name, it features Cyrano, a soldier renowned for his battle prowess yet scorned for his unconventional appearance. With astounding performances and a compelling narrative, the ballet emotionally immerses the viewer into the world of this passionate love triangle.

For each tale, the ballet sequences aren't merely a dance performance, but a narrative tool—a way of translating words into graceful moves that capture the essence of the stories. They depict emotions such as love, jealousy, infatuation, loss, and grief, all conveyed through beautiful and strategic dance choreographies. The propelling music, vibrant costumes, and awe-inspiring stagings further enhance this cinematic spectacle, making it a fantastic piece of film history for the dance enthusiast. Even those unfamiliar with ballet will find capture by this film's elegance, drama, and dreamlike beauty.

Black Tights captures the vigor, vigor, and unspoken dialogue that ballet transmits to its audience. It is a film that implicitly talks about the discipline, strength, and determination needed to be a ballet dancer while enveloping the audience with magical narratives and breathtaking choreographies. With narration by the legendary Maurice Chevalier, it is a celebration of the aesthetic and storytelling power of ballet that offers something for everyone, be it love, comedy, tragedy, or charm. With its incredible performances and striking visuals, Black Tights is an enchanting ode to ballet, preserving in posterity some of the most captivating dance performances ever put on screen.