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Ballet Shoes (BBC) [2007] | ![Ballet Shoes (BBC) [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51wp0HG0K6L._SL75_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Sandra Goldbacher
Actors: Emma Watson, Emilia Fox, Richard Griffiths, Victoria Wood, Yasmin Paige
Studio: ITV DVD
Category: DVD
List Price: £17.99
Buy New: £8.74
You Save: £9.25 (51%)
New (14) Used (2) from £8.74
Avg. Customer Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 1863
Format: Pal
Languages: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired), English (Original Language)
Rating: Parental Guidance
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 83
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.2
EAN: 5037115274038
ASIN: B0010XFXCQ
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: January 7, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new, sent within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...
 Good Choice for a Family Evening Together April 16, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I watched this film without having read the book; and so I approached it without any preconceived ideas about the story or the characters. What initially got me curious is the opportunity to see Emma Watson in something else other than the HP franchise; and I must say that Miss Watson is developing into a fine young actress. Still a little rough, but she could be a real gem with more diverse roles. Hopefully she will blossom into her full potential.
The cast performed credibly, bringing a homely feel to the film. Emilia Fox was convincing as the longsuffering Garnie and Victoria Wood was a tough cookie Nana. This being a 90 minute film, I could not expect it to do justice to the book. Alas, this seems to be the problem with many film adaptations of books and Ballet Shoes is no exception.
I do wish the characters could have more time and space to further develop, instead of looking rather one dimensional. Also, it's hard to imagine that with guardians like that the girls would so easily throw tantrums. The scene where Pauline shot a mean and rude statement at her guardians over her dress for the premiere feels strange, as does Posy bawling her eyes out in self-pity when Madame suffered a stroke.
I wonder if the bath tub scene was necessary? Or was it a ploy to exploit the increasingly surfacing sensuality of Emma Watson?
I must reiterate that my approach to the film may be different from those who have read and enjoyed the book, and thus have the advantage of a mental representation of the plot and characters. My neighbour's daughter grumbled that Posy was too mean and Pauline was too tall - and too pretty!
Still, it is a lovable and enjoyable film and will be a good choice for the family to enjoy on a nice evening, especially when the family consists of grandma and little grand-daughters. Of course, any hard-core Emma Watson fans will enjoy this too. At least she has more screen time than the latest HP offering.
Too bad the DVD does not offer any cast interviews or 'making-of'. That would be really nice.
 LOVED IT!!!!!!!!! ONE BALLET DANCER TO ANOTHER!!!!!!!!!!! April 13, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am in ther Royal Acaedmy of Dance at the Henley College theater, and I do 15 hours a weekand I am very fond of dance and ballet so this movie was abouslotly amazing and enjoyable!
It is about three little girls who grew up toegther in an old house and they were ophans or their parents had left them and they are quite poor so they are advisting rent bedrooms for sale for money and one lady is a proper ballet dancer and notices the girls talent and sends them along to the Royal Ballet school. Over a period of time they are sone doing performances on stage and they grow up together as ballet dancers. In the film there are twista ands turns and unexpected things. I saw this on tv and it was so good I am giong to buy it!!!!!!!
It's all very nice, if a little empty February 24, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
"Ballet Shoes" was a very pleasant, Sunday-afternoon kind of film. The three child actresses were impressive; I was pleasantly surprised with Emma Watson (who I had been a little prejudiced towards from her acting in Harry Potter) - but Lucy Boynton as Posy was the real star. Her acting is natural without the need to exaggerate, and she was convincing at portraying the immature, spoiled and ambitious Posy. The film moreover captures the atmosphere of 1930s London successfully with some very charming scenes, and I thought the dancing scenes were done well considering none of the girls had dancing experience.
However, throughout all this I could not help feeling that something was missing - the story was nice but somewhat insipid; the acting was nice but not outstanding; there is little that stays with you and pulls you towards a second viewing. The girls all have typecast personalities and personal ambitions, yet you cannot feel much empathy for them. The ending I also felt greatly disappointed with; it felt all too contrived to bring about an unrealistically happy ending.
Granted, I have not read the book, so perhaps the magic of it was not fully transferred on-screen (as is the case of many book-screen adaptations). Overall, I'd say it is an OK film - probably would be a hit with younger girls - but not something that you will be pulling out of your shelves 5 years later.
Inspirational February 8, 2008
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
Ballet Shoes (based on the book of the same name) is set in 1930's London, and follows the inspirational story of three young girls raised as sisters, each with their own separate dreams to fulfil. I read Ballet Shoes, when I was younger and despite it being the complete opposite to what I normally would read, I found it to be a fantastic book. So I was eager to see this adaptation on dvd (after missing the first showing on TV.) Unfortunately I have to say that I've been left slightly (but not overly) disappointed.
The running time of Ballet Shoes is a misable 83 minutes so naturally a lot from the book has been missed, but also changed unnecessarily. For the casting, I'm not sure about Emma Watson (aka Hermione Granger) playing the part of Pauline. Don't get me wrong she is stunningly attractive and an exceptionally good actress, fantastic in the Harry Potter films, it's just...she doesn't seem entirely right for the part and makes the character of Pauline seem a bit empty and shallow. But to tell you the truth I wasn't impressed with the performance from Emilia Fox or Victoria Wood either. Maybe my expectations were too high. The characters in the book were three-dimensional and likeable and I guess that I was expecting the same from the film. As another reviewer has already rightfully mentioned, there are no special features or extras on the dvd. One of the reasons I was eager for the dvd was to see the special features. I don't know what I was expecting to see...but something.
But don't despair, as it is still a excellent film, and still represents a inspired concept that keeps you interested and entertained, Ballet Shoes has been professionally done with correct period costumes and sets, so if you're a fan of the book or never even knew there was a book called Ballet Shoes, I doubt you'll be disappointed with the film. I did enjoy it and am glad I purchased it and I'm sure you will be too.
great fun February 3, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
very enjoyable - great for those lazy sunday afternoons.
I hear the book naturally has a lot more depth than can be crammed into a 90 minute tv drama so best not to compare the two.
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