Baryshnikov in the Movies Part I: The Turning Point

Mikhail Baryshnikov is one of the few ballet dancers that has widespread recognition outside of the dance world. In addition to his jaw dropping technical abilities, his acting in four movies and one cable series from the 1970s through the early 2000s served as an important artistic vehicle to expand his reach into popular culture to non-ballet fans. This video is the first in a series on Baryshnikov in the movies. This video covers his work in The Turning Point, a movie in which he portrayed a character not far from his own reality as a dance superstar Soviet defector. In his first film, he commanded attention with his dynamic presence and gravitas. So grab some popcorn, turn out the lights and enjoy the show!

Sources
Videos
The Turning Point, 20th Century Fox, 1977
White Nights, Columbia Pictures, 1985
Company Business, MGM, 1991
Sex and the City, HBO, 2004, clip from 57nira YouTube channel
Baryshnikov at Wolf Trap, Kultur Videos, 1976
The Graduate, Embassy Pictures, 1967, clip from StudiocanalUK YouTube channel
Top Gun, Paramount Pictures, 1986, clip from Movieclips YouTube channel
What a Way to Go!, 20th Century Fox,1964, clip from manuele barozzi YouTube channel
Giselle, American Ballet Theatre, 1977, Paramount Home Video VHS
Born to be Wild, 2004, Kultur Video

Photos
Baryshnikov in Giselle, Chicago, 1978, Vladimir Bliokh
Herbert Ross, 1965, Jack Mitchell, Getty Images
Nora Kaye, Herbert Ross, Shirley MacLaine, 1977, Archive Photos/Stringer/Getty Images
Nora Kaye, Fall River Legend, 1948, photo by Carl Van Vechten, Wikipedia
Kelly and Isabel Brown, on tour, 1940s, Jacob’s Pillow Dance website
Nora Kaye and Erik Bruhn, 1956, from Bruhn’s Facebook page, photo by Maurice Seymour
Leslie and Kelly Brown, Leslie Browne’s Instagram
Arthur Laurents, Director of the musical La Cage aux Folles, 1983, Bernard Gotfryd photographer, Wikipedia
Anne Bancroft, from an appearance on Bob Hope’s Chrysler Theatre, Wikipedia
Movie reviews and award information from Wikipedia

[pauliberg]

He remains " a once off "..a miracle dancer, amazing, exquisite, divine, elegant...etc.

I was a young ballet sudent when the Turning Point came out. I was still young so I didn't really know who Misha was. My mom was a former principal ballerina so when I was soon introduced who this magical dancer was. When I finally saw the movie all in the dancing world knew who he was and how he changed ballet, especially for male dancers in the west. Every ballerina would have loved to dance with Misha as a partner. He is a remarkable man, as well as one of the greatest male dancers of his generation.❤❤❤❤

[michaeldilsaver]

The dance sequences in White Knights, Baryshnikov & Hines were amazing

[theonecounttheonecount]

I was a ballerina when The Turning Pointe came out. It was great to have a ballet movie with such incredible dancers, and our Misha in it. Of course, White Nights was fabulous. Both stories that have real life significance, with real art and athleticism. Baryshnikov also speaks several languages fluently. He will always be the best in my book. His turns are so tight and controlled. He was born to dance. He did make it look effortless. It's far from effortless. It's grueling everyday, but I sure do miss it.

[ThirzaLynetteClarke-kudq]

This movie portrayed far more than love of ballet with the best actors and dancers. I remember it always. Thank you.

[booboo.maloney]

My sister and I watched White Nights countless times growing up. It was one of our favorites; mostly because of Mikhail Baryshnikov. We also used to watch his Nutcracker every Christmas when it would air on TV. We even saw him on tour once, back in the 80s. But I had never heard of this movie until I was an adult. I loved it instantly.

[madeleine]

I was born in the late 70’s and would watch The Turning Point on repeat. Fast forward many years later and I wound up marrying the love of my life from Finland who looks like Mikhaïl Baryshnikov 😂 Crazy!

[leticiafaxas]

I loved this movie…the fight between Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft in the best girl fight ever. I take so nice to have a film that shows Baryshnikov in his prime.

[MMMa]

Misha is not only a phenomenal dancer because of his technique; he's also a master in expressing emotions. In his movies he excels, of course, in the dance-scenes but is also a creditable actor. This is, tmo, even better reflected in White Nights, which is even more autobiographical than Turning Point.
I also think Dancers has some similarities with his own life.
But my favorite scenes in all movies are still his dance scenes.
Thanks Kent. Looking forward to the next parts.

[emilyrandolph]

I’m a little embarrassed that I only knew him from Sex and the City. So glad I found this!

[isyssatkhasaeriphielwhirl]

Oh my!**😂🎉I have only become physically obsessed with ballet for one decade, preferring chakra awakenment without shoes through all my life. After being immersed for these ten uears, I found out that when I was one year old my dad worked as the second assistant director on "The Turning Point!". What a life changer, indeed! Is Misha not the material world manifestation of Angel Michael, Seraph Uriel?! And this story, OMG, the sweet truth of the utterly infallible joy, the sheer seratonin rush ceaseless of the prima ballerina* even in the face of betrayal, she is filled with the completely real non chalance which will allow no genuine heartbreak to enter into. 😂😊🎉🎉🎉🎉

[bridgetdoman]

I have seen White Nights, more than once, and love it, but had, to show my ignorance, not heard of this movie and came across it by accident on you tube.

[suzanamarques]

esse Perdi a conta de quantas vezes assisti. E é uma pena que não esteja disponível na Netflix e outros. O outro filme que AMOOOO é White Nights ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[veecee]

It's been quite a long while since I've seen The Turning Point. Watching your video has made me long to see it again. Thank you, I'm looking forward to part 2!

[bethquaranta]

So glad he defected. I remember that. His ballet is him! The talent is amazing and what his body was made for.

[susan-little]

I think this was a most thorough review of The Turning Point…excellent research and opinions! I loved this movie…it was on Cinemax through Prime Video, but I tried playing it multiple times and it only produced an error message, so I cancelled Cinemax as that was the reason I subscribed in the first place!

[kmccoy]

Love this, please do White Blessings and Peace ❤️✝️

[MaHa-umsv]

Love these, love your erudition and your great channel - am learning so much! I look forward to part 2 of this :)

[judlaz]

Not diminishing the merits and the genius of Michel Barishnikov and his turnings as Basil, I think it is absolutely comparable to Tetsuya Kumakawa - in the role of Basil among all the other classical roles he danced. Another example with Kumakawa is Le Corsaire.

[dmmchugh]

Baryshnikov, McRae, Muntagirov, Gomes are my favorites. Everyone else is 'other'.