White Nights - The dance

My favourite part of the movie "White Nights" (1985) with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines. This is the most beautiful dance I've ever seen in my life.

P.S. Thanks to all of you for the comments!! I never thought the video would be so popular.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Baryshnikov
• Hines
• dance
• white
• nights

[forbesmh]

Gregory Hines was my cousin... I didn't know him very well, but he was an incredible dancer. When I saw the movie with Mikhail Baryshnikov and just to keep up with him, highly impressive. RIP cousin.

[sharptimes5]

I could watch this over and over, and never tire of it. Seeing Baryshnikov's feet beside Gregory Hines' feet really lets a non-dancer see just how different their styles are. Amazing.

[bmadejczyk]

@AZLadyVamp This is absolutely corrent. The only way Baryshnikov and Hines are different is in technique and training. Mikhail comes from ballet and Gregory is from tap and jazz. But training is not enough. A great dancer has more love and passion--and natural grace--than any other dancer. My first dance teacher said, "Steps I can teach you, coordination I can't teach you." It is joy of movement and the desire to share that joy that compels their movement--in this the two are equals.

[bmadejczyk]

@forbesmh I finished watching my tape of Riverdance and I had a desire to this this dance sequence--i saw it in the cinema when first released. Your cousin is one of the greatest dancers who ever lived. Baryshnikov is the only one who is his equal from his generation, and only Fred Astair and Gene Kelly are his equals that I have been priveledged to watch on the screen.

[totaltwinconnection2]

My mom was right...Mikhail Baryshnikov was so sexy!!!

[juiceg2]

Great soundtrack.

[levonthedon]

Gregory did a good Job but Bary has better form..I just love to see black and white people getting along.

[SuperSpidey25]

I remember this film from when I was a child.  Good memories. Loved it.

[0602nan]

Thank you for posting this video. My best friend, a dancer, and I saw this movie probably something like 10 or 12 times while at the movie theater. Great movie. I think I'll look it up on Netflix and watch it. :)

[AZLadyVamp]

@miownunique - I wouldn't describe Astair and Baryshnikov as "confined" in their routines - rather they were more controlled and their movements were more defined - such as at 1:25 - Mikhail's "pull up" includes the lifting of his right shoulder, and his forearm is closer to his body, making a fuller, more complete curved line. Nothing against Hines - he's a great dancer - this clip just shows the difference in training.  And dance is, after all, personal interpretation.

[56KFILM]

I use to watch this movie everyday just for this scene. One of my other favorite scenes is when Greogory Hines tap dance kick the hell out of Mikal. "You sorry!!!, You sorry Nick"!!!