The Red Shoes, directed and written by Emeric Pressburger & Michael Powell, is probably one of the most beautiful films ever made. It's a story about a promising ballerina Vicky Page (played by the real ballet dancer Moira Shearer) who needs to choose between her dancing career and her relationship. Like in an ancient tragedy, the great figures can't become eternal without certain (usually very human) sacrifices.
Consequently, The Red Shoes is a romantic triangle between an aspiring composer Julian Craster, a passionate impresario Boris Lermontov and a torn apart ballerina.
Mr Boris Lermontov embodies a predominant and captivating master, whose lack of any human impulsed has been replaced with a complete devotion to art.
There could be a comparison drawn between his character and the iconic Phantom of the Opera.
Both, Lermontov and Phantom are embodiments of art devotees, who seduce their gifted 'chosen' followers.
Sadly for this genre, the talented women never seem to chose the right men in the end.
For some reason they prefer to quit their careers and give babies to dull men instead of having a bohemian life with Russian impresario with his own ballet troop and a château in Monte Carlo. Or with Phantom who owns the dungeon under the Parisian Opera with a very convenient system of canals.
