Rating: 
Summary: Very poor editing and camera zoom positions
Review: It is disappointing to see just how poorly the video angles, camera placement and editing were done. The energy of the tap performances and the dancers was never the focus of attention - instead, the producer(s) seemed to want to go crazy with their continuous jumping from one camera to another without any thought to showing the performance in its best light. The camera angles continually changed around the stage , with extreme closeups of head and torso that simply did not do *any* justice to the dancing.The original "Riverdance - The Show" video is a *much* better edited performance, albeit with fewer actual tap dancing scenes. The performance of another similar video "Lord Of The Dance" did not sit well with me either, perhaps because the originality and energy of the dancers was subsumed in an over-produced, over-glitzy performance. Some improvement in the editing over *this* video, but still not anywhere as good as it could have been. I would recommend the original "Riverdance - The Show" over any of the subsequent performances that have been released. Now, if I could only find that performance in DVD format - the only release that I know of is VHS!
Rating:
Summary: Poor video production of an outstanding performance
Review: I saw Riverdance at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago in a production very similar to the one on this videotape performed and recorded live at Radio City Music Hall. What I saw on the video was a small fraction of the sensational dancing demonstrated by the performers I saw in person. That is because there are far more shots showing the head, torso and theatre than full-body dancing. Just as soon as you think you are really going see some fabulous dancing the camera cuts away. I think the tape editors were too into the art of video and not at all into the art of DANCE. It was very frustrating to watch this videotape.
Rating: 
Summary: Viewer from Seattle doesn't know what he/she's talking about
Review: Michael Flatley is NOT the creater of Riverdance. He is credited as the principal choreographer. And while that in itself is a wonderful artistic accomplishment, his arrogance and self-importance makes him enough of a nudnik to justify his being sacked from the show. The results speak for themselves, as Riverdance's popularity has proven that it can flourish and impress audiences around the world without Michael Flatley. As far as the disc goes, it leaves me cold. The storage capability of DVD dictates that this entire show can fit on one side of the disc. They should have done so without having to flip the disc like a lame laserdisc. The sound mix is nothing to write home about, either. It deserves another trip to the studio for further remixing because it sounds too much like a concert bootleg. The original Dublin Cast video was much better done. Although it is billed as Dolby Digital 5.1, there is no ".1" subwoofer track. The show itself would get 5 stars, but the video and audio quality drags it down to 3.
Rating: 
Summary: Best display of modern Irish dance I've ever seen!
Review: Being an Irish dancer of 7 years, I was delighted when Riverdance came out. This shows people (to quote Jean Butler) "....Oh thank God! Irish Dancing can be sexy!" Exactly! It knocked my ghillies off! :o) Peace love and Irish Dance -Monica
Rating: 
Summary: Pure enjoyment
Review: I ordered the DVD just after i saw 'Riverdance-behind the scenes" on TV. never heard of Riverdance before. I was (and still am) amazed and speechless when saw those dancers and what they can do with their feet. I also liked the Irish music. This DVD top quality is the Soundtrack, and if you can get 5 speakers surround soundtrack and even watch the fine video (Although not using the full potential of the DVD medium) - why not take it ? Do'nt expect too much of it. there are some "relaxed" scenes - but some scenes will mesmerize you ! Pure enjoyment !
Rating: 
Summary: Flatley superior than Dunne
Review: To anyone who honestly believes that the dancing of Colin Dunne is better than Michael Flatley's obviously is lacking any background or knowledge in Irish dance. This video clearly shows that Dunne has about as much stage presence as the salad bar at your local Burger King. To those of us who know dance can easly tell that Flatley possesses a fluidity of movement and gracefulness that Dunne clealy lacks and never will have-Dunne is an adequate dance technician who has openly monopolized every opportunity to cash in on Flatley's popularity by riding his coattails. Those of us who have been to Ireland (as I have) know the full story that Flatley helped to create Riverdance and the people of Ireland know this and openly regard him as the "Genius of Tap" as one paper called him. Butler is very pretty to look at but her dance steps are not worth writing about-she is no better than any other of the backup dancers. And those of us who have seen this video and actually seen Dunne dance(as I have), want to remind everyoe that it was Dunne, not Flatley, who tripped over his own feet during a live performance of Riverdance during the Grammys in Feb 1997(the same Grammys where the composer Bill Whelan openly refused to acknowedge Flatley's choregraphy). Perhaps if Dunne's ego were a bit smaller, he could stop bragging about his supposed "nine" World Dance Championships and concentrate moreon not tripping over his own feet. When I saw hm at Radio City, he missed several steps and was off time quite often(maybe he has a hard time keeping up with that pre-recorded tape of thetaps that the producers use to fool the audience). Save your money on this video-Dunne's dancing did not improve from when I saw him on stage and I don't think it ever will. He gets by on hype only.
Rating:
Summary: Great show, dreadful video
Review: I saw the show with Colin Dunne, and was delighted with it. But the video was a dreadful disappointment. The direction is nothing less than atrocious. There is constant cutting from one angle to another, and to closeups of feet and faces.After a while I began timing the shots. The average length of time before each change of camera: Five seconds. To film such extraordinary dancers in this flashy, incredibly distracting way is a slap in the face to dancers and audience alike. This is an unwatchable disaster of a video.
Rating:
Summary: A truly brilliant show!
Review: This is definitely the greatest thing out on video! I didn't get to see the show live, and when it came to Australia minus Jean Butler I wasn't particularly interested in seeing it. I loved the video and Butler and Dunne are both superb. Jean Butler is beautiful and graceful at the same time while Colin's performance is brilliant and technically perfect. In the numbers where they perform together, the viewer is absolutely spellbound. I know that I was! Jean Butler and Colin Dunne both have a great stage presence and have an onstage unity that is really amazing. Heartland is my favourite dance - the music, the dancing, it's brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: I must disagree with the viewer from Seattle
Review: Riverdance is a superb production and should not be looked at as a show, or production that was stolen from anyone; through its spirit or otherwise. This production was the result of an idea from its producer, Ms. Moya Doherty, who hired Mr. Flatley as the lead male dancer. Mr. Flatley did become 'one' of the choreographers, and was given credit for his efforts, but what he was wanting to do was to gain total creative control where it would become 'his' show. He wanted to be the main character; standing out above all others, which was not the intent, nor the desire of the powers that be. This power play is obvious in Flatley's Lord of the Dance productions.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: This video is incredible! Colin Dunne is such an amazing dancer, and Jean Butler is so graceful, it's like her feet don't even touch the ground. Although Michael Flatley had a certain stage presence that no other male performer can compete with, Colin Dunne is technically better than Flatley and does not have an ego problem. The only thing that I did not like about this video was the editing job. There are constant camera switches and it's very distracting. Overall, though, this video is a must have for any Irish dance fan!
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