Rating: 
Summary: Total is significantly less than the sum of the parts
Review: Makarova was, obviously arguably.... given some of the reviews below, the Odette/Odile of her generation. I have not seen a "better" one since. Therefore, this DVD is a must: it's the only visual record we have of her performance. And, notwithstanding criticisms by other reviewers below, I think her performance is a pretty eloquent one, in technique and style. I have seen her quite a few times in the role, and though this is a bit short of the magic I know she could generate, it is fairly representative. I consider myself lucky to have it.Now, as to the rest and why I think, in general, this performance is disappointing. Dowell was a very fine dancer: crisp, clean lines, elegant and satisfactory virtuosity, all in evidence here, as is his natural reticence which is out of place in this piece....... There is no chemistry between him and Makarova. He might as well have been reading the phonebook as he danced. In some ways he struck me as the all-purpose, highly skilled partner doing his job for the visiting ballerina of the evening. Makarova had great partners in this role throughout her career, most notably Ivan Nagy. Together they could make the second act pas-de-deux a truly moving experience. It's a pity such wasn't the case here. Another drawback to this performance was the Royal Ballet itself. I think it was in a rather fallow period at the time. The swans sleepwalk through their part and are off-and-on sloppy. The various dances in the third act are a bore, the Spanish Dance is particularly ludicrous. Though Wayne Sleep does a very good job in the Italian number, everybody else in all the other dances reek of mediocrity, particularly the women. There's no virtuosity, no command of line or technique.... Where's the zest? It didn't help that the conducting was somewhat feeble. In short...... if you are interested in having a record of Makarova's Odette/Odile, get it.....It's a pity she wasn't helped by the framework she was given but c'est la vie. With that very restricted goal in mind, you will not be disappointed. If you are interested in Swan Lake proper and plan in having only one version, stick with the Kirov. DVD quality is quite fine .... the sound is ok but not much more than ok.
Rating:
Summary: Total is significantly less than the sum of the parts
Review: Makarova was, obviously arguably.... given some of the reviews below, the Odette/Odile of her generation. I have not seen a "better" one since. Therefore, this DVD is a must: it's the only visual record we have of her performance. And, notwithstanding criticisms by other reviewers below, I think her performance is a pretty eloquent one, in technique and style. I have seen her quite a few times in the role, and though this is a bit short of the magic I know she could generate, it is fairly representative. I consider myself lucky to have it. Now, as to the rest and why I think, in general, this performance is disappointing. Dowell was a very fine dancer: crisp, clean lines, elegant and satisfactory virtuosity, all in evidence here, as is his natural reticence which is out of place in this piece....... There is no chemistry between him and Makarova. He might as well have been reading the phonebook as he danced. In some ways he struck me as the all-purpose, highly skilled partner doing his job for the visiting ballerina of the evening. Makarova had great partners in this role throughout her career, most notably Ivan Nagy. Together they could make the second act pas-de-deux a truly moving experience. It's a pity such wasn't the case here. Another drawback to this performance was the Royal Ballet itself. I think it was in a rather fallow period at the time. The swans sleepwalk through their part and are off-and-on sloppy. The various dances in the third act are a bore, the Spanish Dance is particularly ludicrous. Though Wayne Sleep does a very good job in the Italian number, everybody else in all the other dances reek of mediocrity, particularly the women. There's no virtuosity, no command of line or technique.... Where's the zest? It didn't help that the conducting was somewhat feeble. In short...... if you are interested in having a record of Makarova's Odette/Odile, get it.....It's a pity she wasn't helped by the framework she was given but c'est la vie. With that very restricted goal in mind, you will not be disappointed. If you are interested in Swan Lake proper and plan in having only one version, stick with the Kirov. DVD quality is quite fine .... the sound is ok but not much more than ok.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful Makarova, a chilly Dowell
Review: Natalia Makarova defected to the West in 1970, and for ten years or so Western audiences were enchanted with her distinctly Russian style of ballet. It's become pretty familiar now, the "Russian" school -- boneless arms, a very fluid, arched back, hyperextensions, an emphasis on upper body movement.
Makarova's Odette/Odile was legendary, and I feel lucky that it's now preserved on dvd, although she was 41 when this Swan Lake was filmed at the Royal Ballet. That's certainly "up there" for a ballerina (the famously ruthless Paris Ballet's system demands that all etoiles retire at 40).
Overall, Makarova's portrayal is enchanting, and for once the legendary status is justified. Not that it's perfect. For one, not to be shallow, but she looks her age in this video. The harsh lighting does her no favors, and she was never classically beautiful anyway. Makarova is also weak at fouettes -- as Odile she actually does the 32 fouettes, but theyre slow, they travel a lot, she doesnt throw in any triples or doubles, and they lacked momentum and excitement. She IS 41, and I noticed that often her leaps, spins and turns are done with a shade of hesitation.
On the other hand, one of the pleasures of this video is Makarova's obviously disciplined, classical training. She has excellent form, never bending her legs or flailing her arms. She has a wonderful ability to hold balances -- the Act II adagio is taken almost at a snail's pace, in part I think to showcase the way Makarova can keep a balance and hold it. She also never wobbles on pointe, and I like her determination -- although traveling quite a bit during her fouettes she finishes the 32 anyway. Makarova is better as Odette -- her arms flap bonelessly like real wings, and she brings such a soulfulness and pathos to Odette. I've seen wonderful Odette/Odile's, but Makarova is certainly one of the most beautiful portrayals I've seen.
I'm not so nuts about Anthony Dowell. To me, he has great technique, but brings so little joy and romance to Siegfried that great romantic moments (like the White Swan Adagio or Act IV) fall flat. His face is unexpressive and stern throughout.
The general production values are good. The Royal Ballet production is simple and classical, without the tacked-on happy ending of the Soviet productions or the fanciness of many modern versions. I was disappointed that in Act II there was no mime -- a great ballerina can make the mime heartrending. The corps was excellent, although not at the standards of the robotically perfect and uniform Paris Opera Ballet corps. I also like how unlike a lot of historical Swan Lakes this one isnt hideously cut.
I'm very glad I have this dvd in my growing ballet collection. Makarova's Odette/Odile isnt perfect (which ballerina is, in this notoriously demanding role?) but she is enchanting.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent! A must for all Swan Lake fans.
Review: The most beautiful performance of this classical title. Natalia Makarova and Anthony Dowell not only performed excellently but also emotionally. Emotion between the two lovers is the fundamental element in such a romantic story but it has almost been forgotten by other dancers, including the famous Fonteyn and Nureyev. Fortunately in this video, besides ice-cold, purely technical performance, the real emotion prevades. I hope Kultur video can make this wonderful performance on the DVD in the near future.
Rating:
Summary: Where are the feet?
Review: The performance is lovely. Makarova is simply brilliant. But I was really disappointed with the camera angle. The dancers' feet were cut off most of the time. Instead of feet, I could see the full height of the backdrop. Fortunately, the solo parts were exceptions. (But where is Makarova's toe, when she does her serre's/battement battus in the grand pas de deux?) I wonder if, somehow, it's my television's fault. But my other tapes don't have this problem. Maybe someone else can comment on it, so that others are warned, if this really is... a ballet without feet.
Rating:
Summary: Outshining Partnership, Outstanding Swan Lake
Review: There have been many performances of Swan Lake by various corps, and this Royal Ballet version is outstanding among them.
I didn't realized how much more dancers could shine when they meet the right partner, until I saw this Swan Lake.
Makarova and Dowell were truely there for each other. Thanks to their wondeful partnership, the second act was beautiful and the third act was bewitching.
I've read some articles describing their excellent partnership in Giselle, and I only wish I could have had a chance to see more of their performances.
Well known story, very familiar music, and popular images of swans donned featherlike tutu.. but that's not everything in Swan Lake. And that's why every performance of Swan Lake is unique.
In this Royal Ballet version, Makarova and Dowell made unforgettable portraits of Odette/Odile and Siegfried to be remembered and cherished by all Swan Lake lovers.
Rating:
Summary: Makarova and Dowell - Swan Lake
Review: This is a beautiful tape of a wonderfully traditional ballet. Natalia Makarova and Anthony Dowell are mature dancers who have spent a lifetime deepening their interpretations of this ballet. Makarova has a tendency to overplay the legato sections of the adagio pas de deux to the point of distorting the music, but she makes up for it with her beautiful plastique. However, the music should not be degraged to accommodate her. This should not be seen as a negative to buying and enjoying this wonderful performance. Basheva
Rating:
Summary: Makarova and Dowell - Swan Lake
Review: This is a beautiful tape of a wonderfully traditional ballet. Natalia Makarova and Anthony Dowell are mature dancers who have spent a lifetime deepening their interpretations of this ballet. Makarova has a tendency to overplay the legato sections of the adagio pas de deux to the point of distorting the music, but she makes up for it with her beautiful plastique. However, the music should not be degraged to accommodate her. This should not be seen as a negative to buying and enjoying this wonderful performance. Basheva
Rating:
Summary: swan lake par excellence
Review: This is a stunning production - visually, the sets and costumes are wonderful... enough of a set to transport you to the world of the lake and tasteful, colourful costuming; Anthony Dowell is a handsome Prince, and Natalia Makarova shows us the meaning of 'tendresse'. In her portrayal of the white swan, it's amazing how like a bird she is. Watching this video, I could see why Swan Lake is one of the most beloved ballets of all time. This is a show to be savoured... sit back and let Tchaikovsky's music carry you into a beautiful, mystical world... (do be warned that it does not have your regular happy fairy-tale ending, tho'...)
Rating:
Summary: The best Swan Lake
Review: This is the one!I've seen dozens of Swan Lakes in video and on stage, and this one is just perfect!Makarova is the best Odette, her technique suits perfectly for the role, she has such a beautiful line, amazing arms, pure lyrism, and Anthony Dowell is the last danseur noble, those few who were born to be a prince.
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