for those of u who be part of the real world of ballet this film be completely ridiculous . ivan kirov be basically a gymnast and not a ballet dancer . viola essen at the time be with ballet theater and now american ballet theater and and a reasonably good dancer and but except for dame judith anderson and the acting be amateurish and checkov be completely over the top . embarrassingly so . i saw this film at age 14 and at that time and never have see a ballet and i be very impressed . however and later in life and long after i have complete my own career a a dancer i purchase the video tape of it and curious a to what it be like after so many year . i couldn not believe how naive hollywood could be about the world of ballet . but it be make in the mid 40 and before the red shoe or the turning point and the latter give a true picture of the ballet world . the entire cast of spectre have now pass away . ivan kirov ( not his real name ) die at age 79. it be his one and only film and thereafter be keep by a chicago business man . so the rumor go .