Isadora (The Loves of Isadora) (1968)

83% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(474 ratings)

Vanessa Redgrave stars in this film biography of the free-spirited modern interpretive dancer Isadora Duncan. Trained in classical dance, Duncan shattered the traditional conformities in her art and her personal life. The film begins at the end of her life as she recalls the past while dictating her… More Vanessa Redgrave stars in this film biography of the free-spirited modern interpretive dancer Isadora Duncan. Trained in classical dance, Duncan shattered the traditional conformities in her art and her personal life. The film begins at the end of her life as she recalls the past while dictating her memoirs to her male secretary. Her uninhibited sexuality and insistence on personal freedom and expression shocked more conservative and narrow-minded patrons and audiences. She brought in elements of classic Greek dance during the height of the jazz age and had children in and out of wedlock. Married to sewing-machine heir Paris Singer (Jason Robards) and the Russian poet Sergei Essenin (Ivan Tchenko), her life was a rollercoaster ride of success and tragic failures. Two of her children drowned when her chauffeur left the car unattended and the vehicle plunged into a river. Duncan lived by her own rules, often shunned by the very people who had so passionately embraced her pioneering efforts in dance, women's liberation and free thinking. Redgrave was nominated for an Oscar for her performance. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Karel Reisz
Written By: Melvyn Bragg, Clive Exton, Margaret Drabble
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Apr 27, 1969 Limited
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
A splendid Vanessa Redgrave performance in a sometimes brilliant movie.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A poignant and powerful film vividly conveying the whirlwind existence of this free spirit who was a true original

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Fascinating if overlong story of a true original and the heavy cost that comes with. Vanessa inhibits her character totally in yet another award worthy performance.

Cast

            Vanessa Redgrave as Isadora Duncan

            John Fraser as Roger

            James Fox as Gordon Craig

            Jason Robards as Paris Singer

            Ivan Tchenko as Sergei Essenin

            Bessie Love as Mrs. Duncan

            Cynthia Harris as Mary Desti

            Libby Glenn as Elizabeth Duncan

            Tony Vogel as Raymond Duncan

            John Quentin as Pim

            Nicholas Pennell as Bedford

            Ronnie Gilbert as Miss Chase

            Christian Duvallex as Armand

            John Brandon as Gospel Billy

            Robert Ayres
            
            Margaret Courtenay as Raucous Woman

            Arnold Diamond
            
            Mark Dignam
            
            Hal Galili
            
            Anthony Gardner
            
            Alan Gifford as Tour Manager

            David Healy as Chicago Theater Manager

            Richard Marner
            
            Lucy Saroyan
            
            John Warner as Mr. Sterling

            Arthur White as Hearty Husband

            Ina DeLa Haye as Russian Teacher

            Wallace Eaton as Archer

            Zvonimir Crnko
            
See full cast