White Nights Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
Nikolai Rochenko, a Russian ballet dancer who 8 years ago defected to the West. He is in a plane flying over Russia when all of a sudden, a malfunction forces the plane to land in Russia. The KGB tells everyone that his injuries are so severe that he has to remain confide for a while. But in reality they want him to return to them, so they bring him to his old apartment and an American, Raymond Greenwood, who himself defected to Russia several years ago, is placed there to keep an eye on him. However, Rochenko is not about to give in and is determined to escape. So with help from his former lover, he gets word to the Americans. And even Raymond is started to be disillusioned with Russia, and he has to decide if he is going to do what he was sent to do or help Rochenko.
| Mikhail Baryshnikov | Nikolai 'Kolya' Rodchenko |
| Gregory Hines | Raymond Greenwood |
| Jerzy Skolimowski | Colonel Chaiko |
| Helen Mirren | Galina Ivanova |
| Geraldine Page | Anne Wyatt |
| Isabella Rossellini | Darya Greenwood |
| John Glover | Wynn Scott |
| Stefan Gryff | Captain Kirigin |
| William Hootkins | Chuck Malarek |
| Shane Rimmer | Ambassador Larry Smith |
| Florence Faure | Ballerina |
| David Savile | Pilot |
| Ian Liston | Co-pilot |
| Benny Young | Flight Engineer |
| Hilary Drake | Stewardess #1 |
| Taylor Hackford |
6.00 out of 10 (1971 votes)
Visitor Reviews
The most beautiful first 5 minutes of cinema you'll ever see
posted on 05 Jun 2009Dated, yes....but I bought it because of the first five minutes, when Misha dances a ballet of utmost beauty...if the whole rest of the plot is dated and silly, those first five minutes or so will leave you breathless, as it's a tribute to the beauty of Baryshnikov as a dancer. Typical cold war, Russians vs. US plot, with a few more memorable sequences of Misha and Gregory Hines doing their thing, both exceptional talents. Buy it for the dance sequences, forget the storyline, and I think you'll be satisfied.
Great dancing and engaging drama - what more could you want!
posted on 27 May 2009I first saw White Nights many years ago and loved it. Having recently watched it again I was a little cautious about how it would be, so many years later. It's still just as great. Typically dancers don't have the best track record when it comes to quality acting, but Baryshnikov is terrific. The storyline is incredibly believable and the music adds perfectly to the drama of Communist Leningrad. I would highly recommend this movie to lovers of both dance, and good drama.
Dance, Love and Freedom
posted on 09 May 2009Nikolai Rodchenko (Mikhail Baryshnikov, one of the best ballet dancers) is a famous ballet dancer who tours around the world with his company. While traveling to Japan for a presentation, the plane crashes down and they are forced to land on the USSR. Nikolai had defected the Soviet Union 8 years ago, so he is captured by the KGB. The Soviets want him back to the Kirov Ballet... but all he wishes is to scape. When I first saw this movie, I was 12 years old and I enjoyed it very much. Filmed in the USSR during the Cold War, this movie has a good story, script, direction and the performances are superb. Most of all, the dance sequences were Nikolai and his fellow American dance partner Raymond Greenwood (Gregory Hines, another talented dancer) are rehearsing. Also, the most impressive scene is when Nikolai dances in the Kirov Theatre, in front of his ex-girlfriend Galina Ivanona (Helen Mirren, in yet another great performance). If you enjoy watching dance movies, or looking for a good drama story, get "White Nights". You won't regret it :)
An excellent movie from the cold war era
posted on 05 Feb 2009I've always was a Mikhail Baryshnikov fan but I have to say that White Nights is an excellent movie with some great dance scenes and dialogue. Plus being a Russian history major that I am, its a very good portrayal of some of the problems that the Soviet Union during the cold war and how the communists leaders controlled their people. Anyways it was a great movie and a must see!
For Baryshnikov's fans only.
posted on 13 Dec 2008Sometimes I wonder why Baryshnikov does these movies. This is not as good as Turning Point, and much better than Dancers. But there are some fun moments all the same. One classic moment is when the babushka watching the door gives Baryshnikov the ok to move using just her eyes. Helen Mirren is the best thing in this movie, her character is partly based on the real-life Irina Kolpakova, who guaranteed Baryshnikov's return to the Soviet Union in 1974 from Canada!
A ruined powerful film.
posted on 19 Nov 2008I was watching this movie, and at first, I was enjoying it and finding it somewhat powerful. The dance sequences were undoubtedly remarkable and as were the performances. I began to enjoy watching it, but about two- thirds of the way through, I began to get tired of the sappy bonds between Baryshikov's and Hines's characters. Also, the escape scenes give the movie an unneeded "Hurry up, GO GO!" feel to it. It is frustrating to know how good this film could have been with how remarkable the performers are and with its powerful storyline.
If you like dancing...here are 2 of the best
posted on 18 Aug 2008The story is only fair, the acting not quite as good as the story, but the dancing....can't be beat. Try to decide who is the best dancer... Hines with Ballet or Baryshnikov with tap... or both doing a combination of both styles. These guys can dance
Fascinating pairing of ballet and tap dancing
posted on 10 Jul 2008I would rate this film with a "5", but I thought that Helen Mirren was a great disappointment. She has progressed to being one of the finest of actresses, but I found her performance forced in "White Nights". Geraldine Page is annoying, although I suppose she is meant to be; Isabella Rossellini plays herself, as usual. That disposes of the female players...all of whom I have enjoyed in other movies. And, of course, they are not the stars.
It is certainly a delight to be able to watch Baryshnikov's performance over and over. I prefer the dancing of Gregory Hines, however. In addition, if Hines was the actual singer of the number from "Porgy and Bess", he was certainly a performer to match Baryshnikov--although I'm sure most dance lovers would disagree. But Hines seemed to be a supreme actor, singer and dancer. When Baryshnikov and Hines came to dancing the jazz duet near the end of the film, I would bet that many people, at least silently, decided whom they thought was the more talented and/or enjoyable dancer. Although Baryshnikov is "perfect", Hines' dancing was more interesting, looser. When they performed a triple(?)pirouette, Hines seemed to lose count, but there is something funkier about being both great and able to make mistakes.
Hines is gone, and Baryshnikov is 59 now. Having this near-documentary of their excellence is fortunate for all dance lovers, especially since the duo of virtuosos with opposite styles makes this a movie one can watch repeatedly.
Will Raymond Greenwood (American tap dancer who deserted the Army) help Nikolai Rodchenko (ballet dancer who defected Russia to the US) escape the Soviet Union again?
posted on 05 May 2008The two giant and opposing nations of the Cold War, Russia and the United States of America, are represented through the protagonists of "White Nights". Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov are two superb dancers who act in the film, and delight the viewer through artistic communication. The emotion evoked by their performances is unparalleled; feelings of despair, frustration, anger and desire for freedom are all present in their body-language. The title of the film refers to a natural occurrence, present in northern Russia: The White Nights are a phenomenon which lasts a few weeks between Spring and Summer. During this time, there is light for most the night; after sunset and during twilight, it looks white and clear... a white night. This film is truly worth watching, I own it and am glad. Not only does it possess a grand artistic value, but also a great story from a historical period in which one's life was completely controlled by political agreements. It is in this Orwellian society, that human values arise and struggle for survival... do not miss it!
Bite the Ballet
posted on 18 Mar 2008I guess Baryshnikov was trying to switch from the world of Ballet to the world of Hollywood movies with this effort. But then everyone realised that all he could play was surly, prima donna Russian ballet-dancers, so they had to put the rest of his career on ice. I would at least have liked to se him make an appearance as a ballet-kicking bad guy in one of the 80s Bond movies. Unless you take your ballet very seriously or have got a thing about bulges in tights, this movie will come over as a load of dated, Cold War ballet hoo.
Fantastic Movie
posted on 09 Jan 2008Over the past few years, this movie has become one of my favorites, going out of my way to watch it whenever I see it advertised. I first saw it in 1995 or so, and fell in love with it immediately. Shocking, since I'm not much of a dance fan, but the dancing amazed me, both Hines and Baryshnikov.I'm a strong believer that the ending of a movie has a lot to do with the movie's success, and this movie has one of the best endings I've seen.
Fantastic movie :-)
posted on 22 Dec 2007I remember seeing this at the theatre so many years ago and even as a kid, I knew I loved it. I have always loved dance and so this back then was a main draw for me. But now as an adult, I can really truly appreciate the talent of Mikhail Baryshnikov ('Koyla') and Gregory Hines (Raymond). These guys are/were legends.
As a kid, I didn't understand/care for the political side of the movie (why they wanted to get out of Russia), but I get it now and it makes the story so much more than about dance only. It is such a great film, that while dated now, is still very enjoyable and great to re-watch again and show to younger people as well to see these genius' dance together. I can't wait to throw away my VHS copy and replace it by this long awaited DVD edition.
Outstanding movie
posted on 10 Nov 2007This movie does have remarkable dance scenes as one would imagine. That said, the story was very compelling and I found that even though the movie was well over two hours in length, I was absorbed into the action and it seemed to be over too soon! The movie is one of a handful from the 1980s that I have watched numerous times and enjoyed it every time!
A Very Likeable Movie
posted on 08 Oct 2007I have been waiting a long time for this to be available on DVD. I saw it on cable and now I look for it every time that it is on.
So it isn't the most critically acclaimed movie ever made. Who cares? Seeing the dancing is reason enough. Everyone here has made much of the opening sequence, which is VERY good, but my favorite has to be the sequence with both dancers together.
I think Gregory Hines rocks, and I personally am looking forward to the day that TAP is ever put on DVD.
Fine interesting movie, wonderfully acted (and of course danced)
posted on 05 Oct 2007I just saw this on television - having resisted my sister-in-law's entreaties years ago to see it. It's awfully good. The movie is imaginative - having Gregory Hines in a theater in Siberia, a defector to Russia when disillusioned and unable to find use for his talents as an adult tap dancer in America after the Vietnam War, married to the translator initially assigned him (an astonishing peformance by Isabella Rosellini), and performing Porgy & Bess to audiences including Russian troops - well, it's a character and situation you don't find in movies every day!I was amazed at the close-knit work of actors who were not then first name movie stars - and at how well-drawn these characters are -Helen Mirren is superb as Baryshnikov's former lover, partner, and now director of the Kirov Ballet - angry and constantly deluding herself that things are getting more artistically free in Russia - Baryshnikov is excellent, reliving the pain of defection in his old theater, seeing a tape of himself when at 17 he was care-free and full of illusory ambition, the discovery of the erasure of his name among children in Russia, the anger of his former partner for his abandonment of her and denunciation of his "selfishness" in defecting - Hines as a man living with an atrocious mistake and trying always to justify itself to himself - in Siberia, he seems like a man on Mars -an almost unrecognizable Rosellini as a Russian woman in pained love with Hines (just the looks on her face of love and sympathy and pity and helplessness for Hines are so powerful and moving - I'll never forget them)-the four are so very very fine together. Each TRULY seems the person they're portraying. If one were to see news photographs or a documentary about such characters - they would look this way, sound this way, move and speak and dress this way. The dancing is very enjoyable to watch - and you really needn't be a fan of dance (I'm not) to marvel at it.The only downside of the movie is that it takes these four fascinating and pained characters, and stuffs them into a somewhat formulaic action plot. I also found the music too heavy throughout - let there be silences as they contemplate their messy situations. This is very well worth seeing.
Ver solid , good film .
posted on 21 Aug 2007Don't tell me , that this is for dancing funs only ! I use to be professional break dancer , enjoied the exellent " dance " parts in the film ... but I watched it for the story , not the intertainment !
Michail Barishnikov's character is a " deserter " from Russia . He is on the flight to Europe and after big mechanical problems during the flight , the plane had to land in USSR . He is in panic ... and later we understand , why ! KGB wanted to make example out of him , so others will not follow ...
Put on top of it exellent scenaries of Leningrad , 3rd most beatifull city in Europe ... I was lucky to be born there , and I lived there too , for most of my life .
And it is not only about the plot in this movie - to set yourself free ... from russian KGB , from the past... If you don't speak Russian , you don't know the meaning of the song by Vladimir Visotskiy ... Let me go my horses ... Let me go ... set me free ..! The song , which became a grave monument for one of the greatest ,honest russian singers and actors ... he never surrended . But he still alive in his work... in our harts .
Great Classic!! - White Nights
posted on 22 Jul 2007I remember watching this as a kid with my Dad!! It was inspirational in me travelling & being interested in foreign culture as I got older, & I guess it has just stuck with me over the years!! Even the scene with Lionel Ritchie's 'Say you Say me' playing in the background!!
I cannot believe this is not on DVD yet!!! Hopefully soon
Very Rewatchable
posted on 27 Nov 2006This is a great movie. Baryshnikov and Hines are fantastic and act pretty well considering they are dancers. I love the music in the film especially the two Chopin songs waltzes (the one Baryshnikov plays on the piano and the one at the embassy party). The best parts are 1) Baryshnikov's response to the Russian ballerina when he hands her his note and 2)when he wins Hines's rubbles.
The Turkey that tried to Dance
posted on 25 Aug 2009Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!!! The only legitimate intellectual response to this ludicrous film is laughter. Throwing up, unfortunately, is not an intellectual response. It is sooooooh of its time, a time apparently of pure cheese. Baryshnikov tries to smouler but just scowls and Gregory Hines looks half asleep as usual. Dancing will free the World -- erm, actually NO. Communism just fell down by itself like a ballet dancer with bad balance or a turkey that tried to dance.