- United States
- 1959
- 93 minutes
- Black and White
- 1.33:1
- English
- Spine #406
SYNOPSIS: One of the great artistic forces of the twentieth century, performer, choreographer, and teacher Martha Graham influenced dance worldwide. Criterion presents a sampling of her stunning craft, all collaborations with television arts-programming pioneer Nathan Kroll. A Dancer’s World (1957), narrated by Graham herself, is a glimpse into her class work and methodology. Appalachian Spring (1958) and Night Journey (1961) are two complete Graham ballets, the first a celebration of the American pioneer spirit, scored by Aaron Copland, the second a powerfully physical rendering of the Oedipus myth. These are signature Graham works and tributes to the art of the human body.
CAST & CREDITS
CAST
CREDITS
| Director | Nathan Kroll |
| Dances conceived/choreographed by | Martha Graham |
| "A Dancer's World" directed and photographed by | Peter Glushanok |
| Editing | Eleanor Hamerow and Miriam Arsham |
| Music composed and played by | Cameron McCosh |
| Producer | Nathan Kroll |
| "Appalachian Spring" directed and photographed by | Peter Glushanok |
| Cameraman | Stanley Meredith |
| Music as originally scored by | Aaron Copland |
| Settings | Isamu Noguchi |
| Orchestra conducted by | Eugene Lester |
| "Night Journey" directed by | Alexander Hammid |
| Cinematography | Stanley Meredith |
| Assistant to producer | Leroy Leatherman |
| Music composed by | William Shuman |
DISC FEATURES
 |
Martha Graham: Dance on Film Criterion DVD SRP: $39.95 |
SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET:
- New, restored high-definition digital transfers of three films: A Dancer’s World, Appalachian Spring, Night Journey
- Martha Graham: The Dancer Revealed, a 1994 documentary produced for PBS’s American Masters series
- A comparison of Appalachian Spring with an archival performance, by dance critic and historian Deborah Jowitt
- Excerpts from a television pilot featuring composer Aaron Copland discussing his work onAppalachian Spring
- A visual essay on working with Graham, narrated by Nathan Kroll
- New interview with Museum of Television and Radio curator Ron Simon, discussing Kroll’s work and legacy
- Interviews with the films’ editors, Eleanor Hamerow and Miriam Arsham
- New interviews with six dancers from the films: Mimi Cole, Mary Hinkson, Linda Hodes, Stuart Hodes, Yuriko Kikuchi, and Ethel Winter
- Excerpts from a 1975 filmed technique demonstration by Graham’s company, narrated by Graham
- Footage of Graham’s company from a 1954 European tour
- PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by dance critic Joan Acocella
FROM THE CURRENT
Film Essays
MARTHA GRAHAM ON FILM
By September 17, 2007
In 1956 Nathan kroll, a violinist turned radio composer and producer, asked Martha Graham if he could make a movie about her and her work. Absolutely not, she said.
DVD
2 Discs
SRP: $39.95
Criterion Store price:$31.96
Posted in: Movies
