Swan Lake 1967

Bruhn’s Swan Lake was a fascinating psychological drama that departed from traditional versions, which proved controversial and ground-breaking. He enhanced the role of Prince Siegfried, whom he occasionally performed, with more dancing and depth, saying he wished to tell the story of the Prince rather than the Swan Queen. He also changed the role of Von Rothbart, the evil sorcerer, to the Black Queen (initially played by Franca). His telling changed the story from a struggle between good and evil to focus on the Prince’s relationships with the women in his life – his mother, the Black Queen, the Swan Queen and the Black Swan – each representing a different form of control or influence. To emphasize the powerful emotion of the story, Bruhn reinstated the tragic ending, with the Prince driven to his death by the swans.

Country USA
Language English
Release Date 27 December 1967
78 mins
Cast
Erik Bruhn Prince
Lois Smith Swan Queen/Black Swan
Celia Franca Black Queen
Olga Makcheeva Queen Mother
Joysanne Sidimus Prince's Friend
Leeyan Granger Leading Swan
Vanessa Harwood Leading Swan
Elizabeth Keeble Leading Swan
Charmaine Turner Leading Swan
Hazaros Surmejan Master of ceremonies
Karen Bowes Spanish dance
Barbara Sherval Spanish dance
Glenn Gilmour Spanish dance
Gunter Pick Spanish dance
Veronica Tennant Neapolitan dance
Jeremy Blanton Neapolitan dance