Lord of the Dance (Video 1997) Poster

(1997 Video)

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7/10
The Good & Bad Of Lord Of The Dance
ccthemovieman-119 July 2006
GOOD NEWS - This musical-dance performance is astonishingly beautiful. When I first saw this, I was stunned. I had never so many beautiful colors on one stage in my life! It's just an awesome production, visually-speaking. Not only are the colors spectacular, so is the lighting, and the beautiful of some of the females, particularly a violin player and a dancer in a red dress. Those two women were not just gorgeous, but talented.....but then again, who wasn't? Like "Riverdance," the play varies its acts well, going from tap dancing to instrumentalists, from fast to slow songs, ballet, you name it. Michael Flatley is a great dancer and is without doubt the star of the show....which leads me to....

THE BAD - Flatley, unfortunately, knows he's the star and his ego is more than apparent here. That whole bit with the bared chest certainly is one clue that he suddenly thinks of himself as some sex symbol. It doesn't help that he has these young screaming idiot girls in the audience literally shrieking every time he comes on stage. Perhaps he is a symbol, at least to those teen (I assume) girls. Flatley didn't annoy me: the shrieking audience did. They ruined the audio of this performance, often drowning out the music with their idol- worshiping screams. It really detracted from a fine show.
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9/10
Lord of the Dance
tommydial10 September 2006
Nine years later, The Lord of the Dance still has the ability to captivate and entertain. The performances are excellent and the percussive nature of Irish tap dancing produces a powerful rhythm of masculine intensity. The ladies are graceful and lithe in their ballet, light as fairies and seductively alluring in their performance. The music is lively, thrumming and enticing in its' invitation to become Irish, if only for a day. Do I enjoy Lord of the Dance? You bet I do and I thank and congratulate Michael Flately and his crew for bringing us this wonderful experience of both modern and old Irish culture. They truly are Lords and Ladies of the Dance.
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7/10
Beautiful
potter_luvver18 May 2005
I honestly really loved this film. The music was beautiful, the dancers were stupendous and the whole story was deeply moving. Cleverly done and well presented. It's fair to say that the camera angles were very varied, but if you just watched one camera angle the whole way through, you'd miss parts. This way we can see detail and facial expressions, and areas of the stage not visible from all angles. This is a must-see for any fans of Irish dancing, Irish music, or any dancing or music fans for that matter because the performances are just breathtaking. Just a general overview of the story, Michael Flatley is the Lord of the Dance, and there's a pretty lady, a slutty lady and an evil dude, but that's all I'm saying, you'll have to watch it yourself to see it. Suffice to say, telling a story with dance and song is tricky, and this is the best one I've ever seen. There is also a lot of very impressive synchronised dancing, especially when the gangs get together. I personally liked this film because of the quality and beauty of the music and dance, and others may agree, but that's just my opinion.
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brilliant!
jodeerocks_586 March 2006
You other people who have commented on this film must have had crap in your eyes while watching this movie, because it wasn't boring or crap. it was AMAZING!!! It didn't make me feel sick or dizzy watching the film at all! You're just jealous that you can't dance like they can! ha ha But seriously, this film is excellent, and I've loved watching this movie since I was a baby. I've been Irish Dancing fro 8 years, and Lord of the Dance certainly shows what we Irish Dancers love to do, and Michael Flatley did an amazing job of it! I enjoy this movie every time I watch it, it's fun, romantic, lively, and just BRILLIANT! The music is absolutely gorgeous!!! Come on guys, you have to give them credit for the way they danced and performed, they were amazingly accurate on all of the steps, and the taps sound so crisp. OK I agree with everyone who said the lighting is a bit hazy and bright, but come on, this was a LIVE CONCERT OUTSIDE!!! It's not gonna be some TOP Oscar AWARD WINNING MOVIE with like Peter Jackson as director is it, with perfect lighting and filming. Be realistic! But I encourage anyone who is interested in doing Irish Dancing, or someone who loves to dance or anyone who just wants to watch it, to watch it because it really is a good Irish dance movie!! I'd give it 11/10!!!
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10/10
The Most Awesome Danceshow Ever!!!
rcuppen793 April 2001
I first saw Michael Flatley at the Academy Awards of 1997, and it literally took my breath away. I was amazed by how fast he could move and the music was just fabulous. Up to then I never was a fan of dancing but Michael Flatley pulled me over the line. At the end of 1997 the video "Lord of the Dance" came out in Holland and I immediately went to buy it. Up to now, I've seen the video for about a 100 times, and I'm still not bored with it. "Lord of the Dance" is without a doubt the best danceshow ever. Riverdance (which is also a fantastic danceshow) is boring compared to Michael Flatley's first soloproject. The show opens with the fantastic piece called "Cry of the Celts", which in my opinion is the best piece of the show. It starts off with a solo of Michael Flatley in which he shows us exactly who the lord of the dance is. After he has finished his solo the entire troup comes to th e stage en gives us a great example of a perfect choreographed dancepiece. The show last about 1,5 hour, but it's never boring, because it has superb dancepieces, great music from Ronan Hardiman, fantastic sound effects and beautiful art-direction. This makes "Lord of the Dance" the most awesome danceshow ever.
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8/10
Strange, Enchanting, Bizarre - A Must!
elmadore4 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
When I first watched Lord of the Dance, I was a bit disgusted. The colors were so plentiful that it looked like an eighties rock concert. However, it grows on you.

In Riverdance, I detested Michael Flatley, because he seemed cocky, full of himself, and always too happy, even in more mellow dances. However, after seeing Lord of the Dance, I have a new-found appreciation for him as an actor. He was fantastic! This show more resembled an Irish ballet to me. Specifically, too many arm movements! One of the main reasons many people enjoy Celtic and Irish dancing is that sharp contrast between upper and lower body, and the control and precision all the small movements take.

The female leads, especially, had flailing arms quite frequently. A few times adds to the dance, but eventually, it resembles a ballet. Very few minute movements were added, contributing to this effect. It seemed to be a LOT of general movement across stage, but for those interested in seeing rocks, zigzags, or other flying footwork will be disappointed.

The costumes (or the lack thereof) startled me. Traditional costumes never one make an appearance, and in one dance, the ladies are in shorts, tights and a black sports bra. I, for one, can't say I haven't danced that way before in private, but to perform like that in front of well over a thousand people seems a little shameless. Anyone who dislikes seeing Michael Flatley's torso may have a hard time stomaching this, as he appears to grease himself before making an entrance: his chest is very shiny - even before he starts dancing, and therefore sweating.

The story behind Lord of the Dance was perfect. It was loose enough that you didn't really have to think hard to follow, but tied the show together very nicely. The sub-plot with the flutist was nice, but a tad irritating at times. For examp0le, Michael once takes a broken flute, holds it behind his back, and then returns it, completely fixed. Obviously, a slight of hand that was a bit condescending. However, we feel real empathy for the flutist, and it adds to the charm.

Overall, this is a good show to watch when you have seen Riverdance and have a good working knowledge of Irish dancing. LotD is unconventional, upside-down, non-traditional, and one of the most fascinating dance performances ever recorded!
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10/10
Flatley at his best, showing the maturity gained since Riverdance
Tophee17 February 1999
This is Flatley at his best. I guess you either love this kind of thing or you hate it. Personally, I love it and have been lucky enough to have seen it live. The video isn't quite up to the live performance but it is the next best thing, particularly now that Flatley has retired. You can definitely see where Michael has matured since Riverdance, which was Raw Talent, this is controlled talent. Just to re-affirm, if you have been dithering about watching this video, then get off the fence and watch it tonight. Once again, Excellent.
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10/10
My Favorite Show EVER!!!
irishdancer3179 December 2007
This is an excellent show. I think all of you who say there are too many different camera angles are crazy! You can see so much more and truthfully, it doesn't make you dizzy at all so stop complaining. Also, Michael Flatley is so not cocky in the show. He is the star and he deserves to be. He's amazing. Another thing is that the lighting is not that bad. Plus, they are outside so it isn't going to be the best but for being outside it was amazing. Gillian Norris (Morrighan, the temptress/evil girl) and Bernadette Flynn (Saiorse, the Irish colleen/good girl) were also amazing. Some of the leaps they did were amazing. Oh, and by the way Flynn was only 17 and Norris was only 18 so to perform like that at that age just makes it even more amazing. One more thing is that the arms were supposed to be like a ballet as some people said. That's what set it apart from every other Irish dance show in the world. I personally think this is one of the most amazing shows ever and being an Irish dancer of four years myself i can definitely see how hard it is to perform like that. Any of you who say anything bad about this show are crazy because i'd like to see you try to dance like that.
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10/10
still to this day i am enthralled by this!
lafierose19 January 2010
i remember when i was a kid watching Riverdance on VHS and becoming more deeply in love with my Irish heritage that my parents got tickets to see Lord of the Dance live! Unfortunately, Michael Flately wasn't performing it was somebody else. Getting over the disappointment I still was amazed at how well it was choreographed. My parents decided to buy the VHS so i could see Michael in action as well as the CD for musical score. I became obsessed with it. So obsessed I saw it a second time live (when i was about in middle school no Michael though) when it came to my area and was still entranced with the whole performance. i for one love the musical arrangement of the pieces and the colors. though, at times the editing of the segments was slightly choppy its still forgivable due to the wonderful talent displayed. today for the first time in a long time after finding the VHS i watched it and was still entranced by this lovely, amazing performance that i wouldn't mind seeing it live even if Michael is not the staring lead tap. the costumes are even fantastic very untraditional which, is OK. i will constantly watch this over and over and over and over again as well as listen to the soundtrack over and over again. 10 all the way!
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10/10
Amazing!!!
tayroosmom17 May 2001
I used to think that Irish dancing was old fashioned and boring.-Also a bit silly looking too! This video changed my mind! Michael Flatley and his troupe are amazing. This is nothing like your grandmothers "Irish jig" . He puts on a great show with beautiful,haunting music and incredible special effects. I have been hooked on Michael Flatleys work ever since!
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7/10
Two words: Michael Flatley
JoUK1 February 2006
For those who've seen the Riverdance, Lord of the Dance won't be much of a surprise. Similar choreography, music and even the same dancer! But there is something about Flatley's group that makes you stuck to the screen. A definite Must Be Seen even if you're not a dance-type person.

Like somebody's said before this is really Michael Flatley at his best. Although he is copying the convention of Riverdance he's managed to make the show entirely his own and somehow 'fresh'. New costumes, the idea of telling the story with a dance and a bit of pop music added on top of it made Lord of The Dance one of the best dance-shows ever.

A genuine masterpiece although spoilt by a terrible director and montage. But still deserves 7/10.
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10/10
A must for those who love Irish dance
Mad Yeye20 May 2001
It's probably strange to see a review of an irish dance video from someone in a country where Irish dance shows have never toured but here it is. I Got this video in Munich last Year - the closest Feet of Flames Tour date to my hometown (400 miles)- why I traveled so far to see that show? Because I saw a few bits from this Lord of the Dance video in a Documentary and an interview with Michael Flatley. This is the original show Lord of the Dance shot at the Point in Dublin in 1996, it was shot during the first performances of the original troupe and if you are a maniac of high quality images this is not the video you expect but if you want to see an amazing show and a dance performance able to convince someone who never saw Irish Dance in any form travel 400 miles to see a show, well this is the right video.
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5/10
Awesome show, horrendous video
bobgreenwade4 April 2005
As other reviewers have pointed out, the camera angles change every two or three seconds, whether the troupe is dancing or the audience is applauding. By the end of the second number I was dizzy and almost nauseous, and was almost completely unable to appreciate the excellence of the dance. What I did see made me wish I could have seen the show in person; the story, performance, staging, and everything else involved in the theater audience's experience was brilliantly done (at least, as far as I could tell). It's a pity the film directing and editing couldn't have been done by someone who knows a thing or two about filming dance -- that completely spoiled the show for me.
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A travesty
op73 October 2003
Sensational routines, thrilling dancing, all torn up by camera angles changing every four seconds. Somebody went to the strobe light school of directing. A master fiasco. It made me dizzy to watch this. Fred Astaire would hate this; a heartbreak for anybody who loves dancing.
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10/10
When life gives you lemons, think Lord of the dance
chrislovins4 October 2022
Outstanding masterpiece, Michel makes you want to trade your sneakers for dancing shoes, an outrageous family event the moves this man has makes jagger envy, you won't be disappointed an epic uplifting dance with wonderful theatrics.michel takes you to places only imagined a beautiful masterpiece by one of the worlds greatest dancers ,the oddessy with dance features some of the most lovely singers and dancers of our time, you'll forget your witnessing greatness , if given the opportunity to witness such an epic event do not let it pass you by, the only disappointment will be at shows end as you'll hope it will never end after you are entranced by song and dance this ain't no Shirley temple number this is for only those who aren't faint of heart!
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10/10
It's been over 20 years!
riyaad-862895 March 2022
I was probably around 8 years old when my dad brought a copy of Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance home. I remember re-watching this show over and over then. Bare in mind, I have no interest in dance or tap dancing for that matter..

Fast forward to the present. I am now 32 years old and I stumbled upon this masterpiece again just yesterday and what can I say? This show is still captivating as it was 20 years ago. I still have no interest in dancing but the music, the energy as well as the individual talents portrayed is all captivating and it will keep you glued to the seat.

If you get your hands on a copy or have a means of watching this, don't hesitate! Crank up the sound and enjoy the ride.
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3/10
Camera work drives me crazy
NicholasST5 August 2006
I have never watched a movie that frustrated me more than Lord Of The Dance. Frustrated because it could have been fantastic. Frustrated because the dancing might have been astounding. Frustrated because the women could have been gorgeous. How would I know though?! By the time your eyes have moved to the area of interest on the screen and focused appropriately on the spot to be admired the insane editor has moved the shot! I completely agree with the other comments here about the crappy lighting and terrible camera/editor work. It makes me nauseous just watching ten minutes of this would be spectacular movie.

Give me an opportunity to get a front seat to the live concert and I would be there in a shot!

Nicholas T
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2/10
Like MTV
Bugger24 July 1999
The production values in this video are so poor that it is unwatchable. The performance took second place to the overwhelmingly creative hijinks of the studio wanks, with about thirty special effects per minute. It is filmed through a cloud of smoke, only one or two seconds duration per shot and frequently, background spotlights shine directly into the camera. The lighting was terrible for filming. There is constant zooming in and out with a total lack of visual continuity. There may have been some good dancing available to the live audience but the video viewers will never know.
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1/10
Flatley's biggest fan - Flatley!
haikuuder81 June 2006
No wonder so many young people have Attention Deficit Disorder. It seems that stage (dance) productions these days are all about how many cameras and camera angles a director/ editor can squeeze into a 1 hour show. Is there a special Emmy category for this feat? Try counting them sometimes for something different to do with this, otherwise, completely unwatchable show.

I tried to make out at least a few faces of some of the other dancers in the production. That was impossible. They didn't appear to have any faces, just blurs - it was just Michael Flatley's face, Michael Flatley's bare chest(nice sheen!), Michael Flatley's feet, and that patented Flatley over-the-shoulder-come-hither look repeated infinity squared. Since he was an executive producer of this cut and paste job I guess that was to be expected. One doesn't have to wonder too much as to who his target audience is.

Riverdance was a much better production, as it tried to present the show pretty much as one might see it from the audience, not the catwalk,side wings, or floor nail perspective. If I'm not mistaken,I believe Sir Michael has retired. Thank God for small blessings.
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what can I say?
renaldo and clara26 September 2001
Well, what can I say about a show choreographed by a guy who is obviously influenced by Michael Jackson (also judging by his clothes) and who is perhaps the best dancer out there today?

What makes <Lord of the Dance> so good are, in my opinion, are the technical aspects: *no* dialogue (except for the singing which in my opinion is the only time when <lord> doesn't shine), a variety of instruments, and a quick pace.

Even if you're like me. watching it thinking "if I were to do this I would've changed that or had rather done this" in some instances- well, the fact that you're watching something that makes you think of how you can do it yourself means it has quite a bit of positive energy, and allows for the viewer to reflect on a lot about himself- which is the goal of art... n'est-ce-pas?
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Great, best dance, music, sound, energy, excitement.
mimi2papa200021 May 2001
We (family) LOVE Lord of the Dance like no other on-going enjoyment of an entertaining video..watch at least once a week and still feel the excitement...see the show live every 3 months, LOVE the music, dance, dancers, and the production. THIS IS OUR FAVORITE, ALL TIME SHOW.
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33 taps per second?
Jekyll-511 May 1999
In looking at the speed of the taps compared to the effort that the dancers exert to create them, it seems that this art is one unto itself. This documentary/live performance of Michael Flatley's Irish Dancing spectacular is obviously the culmination of years and years of dancing experience.

If you watch through the initial dances and songs, you eventually weed out the highlights, and come to the conclusion that everything else is mere clutter on the dance floor. Particularly impressive is the actual 'Lord of the Dance' dance, where every dancer culminates together for a spectacular fast-footed performance of the Irish step dancing to the old tune 'Dance dance wherever you may be, I am the lord of the dance said he.....

All in all, a good show
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