Baryshnikov/Hines in White Nights: Dance and the Cold War

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Seeking artistic freedom, Mikhail Baryshnikov defected from the Soviet Union while the Bolshoi Ballet was on tour in Toronto in 1974 when he was 26. Baryshnikov's defection was big news, and he enjoyed a high public profile. Solidifying his place in popular culture was the 1977 movie The Turning Point, an exceptional movie that I profiled previously. This video focuses on his second movie effort, White Nights, from 1985 where he had a lead role with tap legend Gregory Hines. He again played a Soviet defector whose fate is linked to an American dancer who left for the Soviet Union. The theme of the Reagan-era movie is the lack of freedom in the Soviet Union and the extraordinary effort people made to escape the repressive regime. White Nights features breathtaking dance segments from Baryshnikov and Hines. So grab some popcorn, turn out the lights, and enjoy the show!
References
Movies
White Nights, Columbia Pictures, November 1985
Rocky IV, MGM, November 1985
Top Gun, Paramount Pictures, May 1986
Rambo: First Blood, Part II, TriStar Pictures, May 1985
The Queen, Miramax Films, September 2006
The Turning Point, 20th Century Fox, November 1977
Mikhail Baryshnikov’s Don Quixote DVD, Kultur Video, 2003
RU-vid Video
Ronald Reagan: President Reagan’s Address to British Parliament, June 8, 1982, ‪@RonaldReaganLibrary‬
Soviet Union government footage: Brezhnev’s Stagnation-History of Russia in 100 Minutes (Part 32 of 36), ‪@smarthistoryofrussia9324‬
Leonid Brezhnev death: Leonid Breshnev: News Report of His Death-November 10, 1982, ‪@josephhewes3923‬
Mikhail Gorbachev and Soviet arms: The Cold War Explained in 15 Minutes, ‪@TheLifeGuide‬
Natalia Makarova and Alexander Godunov-Don Q PPD, ‪@habanero0494‬
Ukraine war footage: A year of war in Ukraine: Revisiting day one of Russia’s invasion, ‪@CBSMornings‬
Spartacus Ballet: Maris Liepa dances Crassus in Khachaturian’s
“Spartacus,” ‪@Arashi110‬
Rudolf Nureyev in Sleeping Beauty, The Rudolf Nureyev Foundation Instagram feed
Lionel Richie Academy Award: "Say You, Say Me" Wins Original Song: 1986 Oscars, ‪@Oscars‬
Photos
Ronald Reagan, Wikipedia, Official Portrait of President Ronald Reagan, February 7, 1981
Richard Nixon, Leonid Brezhnev, Wikipedia, June 19, 1973, Robert L. Knudsen
Photo of Taylor Hackford and cast: RGR Collection/Almay Stock Photo
Photos of Baryshnikov in the ABT studio: Eve Arnold in Private View, John Fraser
Photo of Baryshnikov stretching on wall: colaimages/Almay Stock Photo
Photo of Baryshnikov shirtless: Moviestore Collection Ltd/Almay Stock Photo
Photo of Skolimowski with soldiers with guns: Moviestore Collection Ltd/Almay Stock Photo
Photo of Hines with tap shoes: Moviestore Collection Ltd/Almay Stock Photo
Photo of Hines leaping: Album/Almay Stock Photo
Photo of Baryshnikov/Mirren: Moviestore Collection Ltd/Almay Stock Photo
Black and White photo of Baryshnikov/Hines dancing: Moviestore Collection Ltd/Almay Stock Photo
Photo of Rossellini/Hines on ledge: United Archives GmbH/Almay Stock Photo
Photo of Mirren/Skolimowski/US Spy: Columbia Pictures/Ronald Grant Archive/Almay Stock Photo
Photo of Rossellini/Baryshnikov/Skolimowski: United Archives GmbH/Almay Stock Photo
Photo of Hines/Rossellini/Baryshnikov: Moviestore Colletion Ltd/Almay Stock Photo
George Balanchine, Wikipedia, Jack de Nijs for Anefo/Anefo, Dutch National Archives
Background Material
Gregory Hines Tap Dancing: Gregory Hines, Dennis Abrams, Gina De Angelis, Infobase Publishing, 2009
Biography of Gregory Hines, Constance Valis Hill, New York Public Library
Alex Marshall, War Brings New Iron Curtain Down on Russia’s Storied Ballet Stages, New York Times, April 15, 2022
Roger Ebert Review, RogerEbert.com, November 22, 1985
Vincent Canby New York Times Review, Baryshnikov in ‘White Nights,’ Tale of Two Defectors, November 22, 1985

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13 мар 2023

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Комментарии : 90

@joanieblum5707 Год назад

This movie is a triumph of actors over script - all of them. Rosellini, Geraldine Page, John Glover, & Helen Mirren of course. As for Barishnikov and Hines, I think most viewers wish they could have watched them dance for the whole movie. The opening ballet was shockingly-beautiful - and the duet choreographed by Twyla Tharp was the piece'd resistance. I was lucky enough to work with Greg on a movie right after this one, and enjoyed a wonderful friendship with him for the rest of his all-too-short life. His singing voice, his insane sense of humour, it was infectious - and his brilliant performance in "Jelly's Last Jam" was simply out of this world. People got an opportunity to hear his smooth singing voice as well as his acting and dancing in this show - it is heartbreaking that he died so soon

@KentGBecker Год назад

Thanks so much for your thoughts! I didn't know that Hines was a good singer until I saw him in a video. Must have been a great experience working with him. What a great talent. Thanks again!

@brynmiller4232 11 месяцев назад

I loved White Nights. I saw it in 1985 when it came out and again a few nights ago. Dance was beautiful and for me who loves both Baryshnikov and HInes , I suspect I will watch it again and again over the years. For me Baryshnikov is the perfect male::intelligent,confident,sensual,commanding,beautiful in every way. After watching him for many years he still literally takes my breath away.

@lisalu910 3 месяца назад

Same here, I find Baryshnikov mesmerizing. He goes beyond being a mere "triple threat" (he doesn't sing, AFAIK, but tinkles on the piano) - he is in the rarefied stratosphere of being a breathtaking dancer, a compelling actor, AND a beautiful human being who has no peer. The storyline has been called "hokey" by critics, but WHO CARES? It is perfect for what it is, a showcase for the talents of two legendary dancers and some top shelf actors besides. (I actually like the plot, when Raymond crosses the border in the middle of the night, I cry every time I see it!)

@PurpleIrishSweater Месяц назад

Same - for me it was both of the wonderful dancers, both of the magnificent styles, with all of the political issues of the time. Hines was a genius Baryshnikov was magic I wish they would play it again now. I wonder if it would help. 🙏🏽Slava Ukraini🙏🏽 #CountryOverParty #DemocracyOverDrama

@e-spy 8 месяцев назад

yes, smoking in hospitals. Back then, you could smoke everywhere. I remember visiting New Jersey, lighting a cigarette in the grocery store, and my friend yelling at me. First I'd heard of the no smoking law and it seemed insane to me at the time. White Nights is at the top of my all time favorite movies. Hines and Baryshnikov? OMG. Dream team. And then you add Mirren and Rosellini, Page, Glover? This movie is not to be missed.

@KentGBecker 8 месяцев назад

I remember smoking sections on commercial airplanes. Something I don't miss.

@e-spy 7 месяцев назад

@@KentGBecker 1993 was a very bad year for smokers. I will admit it was hard for us smokers at first, but we adjusted. Well, most of us did.

@earthmother1541 Год назад

This is one of my favorite movies. I've seen it at least 10 times. I went to the Soviet Union in 1978...I thought the depiction was right on. It was a scary time, even as a tourist. I liked your breakdown of the film. The dancing was incredible, and you were correct--especially on the big screen. Seeing Baryshnikov in the eighties was pure joy. Thanks for making such an interesting compilation. ❤👀

@KentGBecker Год назад

Thanks for your thoughts!

@rethinkcps2116 Год назад

Did you watch the Bolshoi or other Russian dance company? Could American tourists access those tickets?

@earthmotherfarfromhome262 Год назад

@@rethinkcps2116 Our itinerary was pre-determined and they had a different cultural event every day. I got to see the Leningrad Ballet, in a box over the stage, and what I remember most was how they thudded every time they landed. It was odd for a professional dance company. I also got to see the opera, a classical concert, and a tour of the Moscow subway. I wanted to see Lenin"s "grave" but I was not allowed because we were not allowed to go anywhere without a guide. ( I did go to a nightclub at night where there were mostly German tourists, and to church because of a kind cab driver who was a believer at a time when all the churches were given to the State.)

@rethinkcps2116 Год назад

@@earthmotherfarfromhome262 - wow. Quite a trip. Thudding is an interesting word. I guess adult dancers can't land like feathers. Right? Or did they hit the deck, so to speak, esp. hard? In any event, thanks for your detailed answer. A thrilling trip most of us won't ever get to take -

@holoholopainen1627 8 месяцев назад

The movie was filmed on Finland ! 1986 They had a Nuclear City - disaster in Russia - so this was a right time to make a movie like this ! There are several movies filmed in Finland - to look like St Petersburg / Leningrad ! Many know - Warren Beattys The REDS - Gorgy Park - as all filmed at Helsinki !

@lesliesalas4853 Год назад

I remember seeing White Nights when it originally aired...Thought about it earlier this year, and have marveled at literally witnessing the unfolding of history since then. To see life through Barryshnikov's eyes at this point is truly compelling.

@jonnarobinson7541 Год назад

I loved the video! I taught high school dance from 1990 - 2015 and showed parts of "White Nights" and "The Turning Point" every year. The dance Baryshnikov does for Galina was also choreographed by Twyla Tharp. I used "The Turning Point" VHS tape so much, I had to purchase another one. I could never find the DVD, so I have a second VHS tape that cost about $80. I was fortunate to see Gregory Hines dance live and have seen Savion Glover multiple times. I feel so blessed to have witnessed almost the entirety of Baryshnikov's career.

@sherleyhannay4850 6 месяцев назад

One of my most favorite movies. I especially LOVED the dancing!!!!...so saddened by loss of Hines... way too young.

@vibesmom 7 месяцев назад

I love this movie, every bit of it. I think it’s fantastic, as is the acting.

@shannonphipps1647 5 месяцев назад

This film was underrated for what it was. Especially with history possibly repeating itself from the cold war into today. It's a reminder that history can repeat itself with artists being suffocated by political control. It's better to watch this film twice to understand the underlying meaning of no matter where you are we should support one another.

@GoddessPallasAthena Год назад

While I'm not terribly for the Cold-war-type movies, I've been a HUGE fan of Baryshnikov (having a bit of a crush on him in my youth), I loved the movie for his appearance in it. I was fortunate that my sister somehow got a preview ticket (you know, where the audience take a survey at the end) before the movie was released, and she invited me. It was also nice that Baryshnikov got quite a bit of publicity from being in the movie. I remember taping his interview segments from "Good Morning America" on the VCR. I think my sister and I saw it again, when it was actually released. It's kind of funny that my brother-in-law (with absolutely no interest in this movie) went, instead, to Rocky IV, in the same theater complex, while my sister and I went to see "White Nights." Thank you for posting this!

@KentGBecker Год назад

Great memories! Thanks for sharing

@rickeeeddleman5614 9 месяцев назад

Great movie - good story line and the dancing was outstanding!!!!! Wore out two DVD's!

@ahoythespoonsareawake4617 2 месяца назад

Thoroughly enjoyed this and, off the back of it, watched White Nights again. It’s a cracking film and Barishnikov & Hines are both astounding. Thanks for a lovely Sunday afternoon!

@KentGBecker 2 месяца назад

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the movie.

@robindew9072 Год назад

Always thought White Nights was an absolutely terrific movie. Gregory was outstanding

@KentGBecker Год назад

Agree! Thanks for tuning in.

@Barbie8051 2 месяца назад

I have seen white Nights many times. Each time I see it it is as if I have seen it for the first time. Wonderful movie. Amazing dancing.

@nbenefiel Месяц назад

I first saw Baryshnikov in 19 70 when he was still with the Kirov. He and Makorova were dancing Swan Lake. It was magnificent.

@annbrookens945 25 дней назад

I saw White Nights in the theater when it was released and loved it! I was a Barishnikov fan and really loved the duets with Hines. I thought the dancing was fabulous and still watch clips on RU-vid!

@KentGBecker 25 дней назад

@@annbrookens945 thanks for tuning in!

@gonefishing167 Год назад

Wow, that was just great., thank you. Was the movie brilliant in itself, perhaps not , but the dancing superseded all. Wonderful, thank,you 👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

@lauriemcilrath9391 Год назад

This is one of my favorite films! Helen Miren and 2 of the greatest dancers of the 20th century?! I have seen it multiple times as I have The Turning Point...which I own on DVD. Leslie Browne is also a favorite... Thanks, Kent for always doing such a beautiful job analyzing videos and clips!

@KentGBecker Год назад

Thanks Laurie!

@shannonphipps1647 5 месяцев назад

I completely forgot much to my shame she was in this film. Helen is a brilliant actress ❤

@sansalt11 15 дней назад

An iconic movie! Thank you for this wonderful piece!

@jamesphillips7150 Год назад

killer montage Kent. this is a serious resource. totally agree this is the greatest film for the committed

@KentGBecker Год назад

Thanks so much!

@pamelasertich9850 Год назад

I so enjoyed your review. I love that movie and don't care about the plot. To watch the dancing is worth sitting through some stupid or boring parts. The actors are wonderful, all of them. I love your videos

@KentGBecker Год назад

Thanks!

@lizlocher3612 Год назад

I had the VHS movie of " White Nights" n watched it many many times to enjoy both Baryshnikov and Hines, as the two separately are dynamos as well as together!!! It is one of my favourite movies ever, especially being a fan of both Baryshnikov and Hines, as I was a courps du ballet 🩰 member of the Detroit Chamber 🩰 Society in the late 1970's n half way thru the 1980's, at which time Balletmania was everywhere!!! White Nights was the epitome of the blend of two different art forms that needed to become part of each other to further the dance!!;! Love 💖 it to this day,!!!

@navarrareid9184 2 месяца назад

Chaka Khan's The Other Side of the World on the soundtrack takes me right back to the 1980s. It was a hugely underrated song.

@Marta44339 Год назад

Thank you for another fascinating video. I've seen White Nights three times and would watch it again. The dancing is wonderful. So yes, it's not a great film; the plot is schlocky and it's full of stereotypes. I accept that just for the pleasure of seeing Baryshnikov and Hines dance. I've also seen Dancers two or three times. Again, it's trite but the Giselle excerpts with Baryshnikov and Ferri' are fabulous!

@lisalu910 3 месяца назад

"White Nights" is among my favorite movies, yet was panned by a lot of critics (except for the dancing.). As this video points out, the themes weren't a whole lot different than "Rocky IV" or other late Cold War movies. If the storyline is a little hokey, who cares, it's entertainment! The plot echoes Baryshnikov's real life experience as a Soviet defector, after all, so it doesn't entirely suspend belief. But even if the plot exists only to showcase the dancing, then again who cares? We get to enjoy performances by Helen Mirren, Isabella Rossellini, and Jerzy Skolimowski as an added bonus. Win/Win!

@KentGBecker 3 месяца назад

One of my favorite movies also. Thanks for tuning in!

@Iilo38 11 месяцев назад

J'ai tout aimé dans ce film. Je ne me lasse pas des scènes dansées, la bande son.....il fait parti de mon top 10 des films. Je connais hélas peu de personnes qui le connaissent en France et je trouve ça bien dommage

@MMMa3 Год назад

Thanks for another interesting video, well done ! Your summary at the end is spot on (agree about the contrived escape-scene. Baryshnikov himself said he didn't find the storyline very convincing). And yes: it's a great cast. But the absolute highlights of this film are, of course, the dance scenes. His phenomenal Le Jeune Homme, the duo-dance with Hines, their warming up, Baryshnikov's heartbreaking Vysotsky dance (which he choreographed himself). And the 11-pirouettes scene is legendary (just like his little victory dance afterwards 😁). I can recommend the DVD; the extra feature of Hackfords commentary provides even more interesting details.

@KentGBecker Год назад

Thanks! I didn't know that Baryshnikov choreographed the Vysotsky dance. Will check out the DVD.

@MMMa3 Год назад

@@KentGBecker It was initially choreographed by Twyla Tharp, but Baryshnikov changed it to better reflect his frustration and anger. He's also the one who suggested Vysotsky's music for this scene to Taylor. (From interview Washington Post, December 6, 1985)

@DonnaMcMasterRiver 11 месяцев назад

@@MMMa3Thanks for the info and kudos for providing a reference!

@DonnaMcMasterRiver 11 месяцев назад

The Blu-ray is also excellent and includes the commentary.

@valmarsiglia Месяц назад

This would make an interesting double-feature with Moscow on the Hudson, almost entirely forgotten now. Robin Williams plays a Russian musician who defects during a trip to NY.

@mountfujieagle Год назад

Great video. Dance linked to world history. Thank you for the many insights. Really appreciate it.

@Diane574 Год назад

I love this video! Loved White nights, turning point, as well. Thanks for this!

@KARochitteBallet 10 месяцев назад

I love this movie. The dance scenes are breathtaking ❤❤

@lucy8025 11 месяцев назад

I saw this movie and Turning Point so many times!

@clarefeinson5427 4 месяца назад

Happy Birthday Rudolph Nureyev, born March 17, 1938.

@victoriamidkiff1114 Год назад

I love this movie. I saw it the night it opened in my city. I didn’t think it was odd that Gregory Hine’s character, Raymond, defected to Russia in the 1960s or 1970s. Raymond was upset with his lack of opportunity and, perhaps being influenced by the experience of Paul Robson, thought he would have more artistic opportunity and experience less racism in Russia. He should have been paying more attention to the writings of Emma Goldman regarding her disillusionment with the Soviet State. Raymond also seems to recall the experience of Oswald becoming disillusioned with his life in Russia and returning to the US.

@KentGBecker Год назад

Interesting historical perspective. Thanks

@GSXK4 Год назад

Unforgettable Godunov as Karl in Die Hard (1988).

@KentGBecker Год назад

Godunov is on my list!

@MaHa-um5sv Год назад

I've so been looking forward to this! Thank you so much, excellent work!!💕

@KentGBecker Год назад

Sorry it took so long. Thanks for turning in!

@MaHa-um5sv Год назад

@@KentGBecker it was wonderful!

@INga_me Год назад

Потрясающий танцующий дуэт в " Белых ночах" , высший пилотаж )

@mamusin99 Год назад

Baryshnikov defected in Toronto in 1974 while touring with Leniungrad (St, Petersburg) Mariisky ( then Kirov's) Ballet which he joint after graduation of Vaganova School. He never toured with Moscow Bolshoi.

@Marta44339 Год назад

I believe he WAS touring with the Bolshoi in 1974, even though he was a member of Kirov Ballet.

@mamusin99 Год назад

@@Marta44339 Until your reply I was sure, that it was Kirov. I was following Leningrad ballet life closely that time and remembered, that several Kirov dancers left for a tour at the same time. But my search of Internet in both Russian and English to prove, that I am right gave me unexpected result. Some were saying Kirov, while other - Bolshoi. The answer is probably in several descriptions of Misha's defection, which call it "Concert group of Bolshoi", which could include dancers of both Kirov and Bolshoi, and other theaters of USSR. If I could find names of Misha's partners and other dancers of that tour, I would be able to tell .

@user-tz6tw3ss3y Год назад

@@mamusin99 it was a tour of the Bolshoi Theater, in which Misha and Irina Kolpakova participated from Kirovsky

@mamusin99 Год назад

@@user-tz6tw3ss3y Thank you. Just for my memory check, do you know who else was on that tour from Kirov with Misha besides Kolpakova?

@user-tz6tw3ss3y Год назад

@@mamusin99 as far as I know, only Misha and Irina Kolpakova from Kirovsky were on that tour, they were invited to enhance the attractiveness of not the first structure of the Bolshoi, but my information is not first-hand, but from scraps of books and interviews

@DonnaMcMasterRiver 11 месяцев назад

I missed White Nights when it came out, but picked up the Blu-ray last year. IMHO the film is good, not great, but the dance scenes are stunning. I’ve watched each of them at least 6-8 times. Really appreciate your review and clips. 👍 I’m inspired to watch it again!

@KentGBecker 11 месяцев назад

It is a treat to see Baryshnikov in his prime and Hines. Quite a duo.

@e-spy 8 месяцев назад

@@KentGBecker We lost Hines far too soon. A great dancer, a great singer, and a great man.

@angele810 Год назад

Nice work on your voice, mister Becker!

@nighthuntress4393 Год назад

While you haven't heard of any US citizens defecting to the USSR, there's Paul Robeson, who lost his court appeal to have the U.S. State Department grant him a passport. Robeson was denied the right by the U.S. government to international travel in 1950 because of his political beliefs. But that is just the way democracy works, I imagine.

@KentGBecker Год назад

Thanks for the historical background

@valmarsiglia Месяц назад

There were quite a few leftist African-Americans who moved either permanently or temporarily to the USSR starting in the 1930s. I don't know of any specific cases of Black Vietnam vets doing so, but there were a few US service and intelligence personnel who wound up in the Soviet Union or even North Korea in the 50s and 60s. So to a movie audience during the Cold War, Gregory Hines's character wouldn't really be much a stretch.

@valmarsiglia Месяц назад

Yes, you could smoke in hospitals back in the day.

@alainspiteri502 Год назад

J don't understand , how old has B in this video ?

@KentGBecker Год назад

Baryshnikov was 37 in 1985

@alainspiteri502 Год назад

@@KentGBecker merci

@jonnarobinson7541 Год назад

He was born in 1948. The movie came out around 1985, about 37 years old.

@alainspiteri502 Год назад

The first pdd j saw : pdd de Don-Quichotte with Noella Pontois-M Barychnikov Paris Opera 1975 ; indiscribable Pontois and Barychnikov were in this erea at the Top !

@Diva369 5 месяцев назад

More portent than ever. The Russian-American Ballerina, Ksenia Karelina, has been taken into custody while visiting family in St. Petersburg. She is accused of treason after donating $51 to Ukraine. She could be sentenced to life in prison. 😢

@perisword7918 10 месяцев назад

I loved it when I first saw it. It entertained me and the dancing was superb. It was the first time I saw Helen Mirren in anything and her acting talent just shown. I haven’t seen it in many years, but I’m certain I would be entertained if I saw it again.

@KentGBecker 10 месяцев назад

Fortunately it is available through several streaming services unlike the Turning Point