AllMovie

Maria Redina of the Lenin Ballet plays Natasha, the Russian Ballerina in this well-made Russian romantic drama. Natasha is deeply in love with a singer named Alexei (Vladimir Kazanovich), and the feeling is mutual. Unfortunately, the lovers are separated by their own ambitions, not to mention a silly misunderstanding that snowballs into a major emotional crisis. Though it isn't The Red Shoes, The Russian Ballerina is a serviceable backstage yarn, highlighted by several beautifully photographed ballet and operatic sequences. Given the political tenor of the times, the film was not a success in the U.S., though it deserved to be.