White Nights (1985)

42% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(5,199 ratings)

The fancy footwork and star appeal of Gregory Hines as Raymond, an exiled American, and the powerful grace of Mikhail Baryshnikov as Nikolai, a defector, combine with a great production design to carry this otherwise thinly-stretched tale of intrigue. With a stellar supporting cast (Isabella… More The fancy footwork and star appeal of Gregory Hines as Raymond, an exiled American, and the powerful grace of Mikhail Baryshnikov as Nikolai, a defector, combine with a great production design to carry this otherwise thinly-stretched tale of intrigue. With a stellar supporting cast (Isabella Rossellini as Raymond's wife, Helen Mirren as Nikolai's lover, and Jerzy Skolimowski, the Polish director, as a wily KGB agent), the film has a few excellent moments. Nikolai has defected from the former USSR some time in the past. While on a trip, his plane spectacularly crashes on a runway in Siberia. Trapped in the country he had escaped, he is brought to stay with Raymond, an American who defected during the Vietnam war. Nikolai desperately wants to get out of the country, but the Russians have other plans. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 16 min.
Directed By: Taylor Hackford
Written By: Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Suso Cecchi d'Amico
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1985 Wide
On DVD: Aug 29, 2006
Studio: Columbia Pictures

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A manipulative movie that spoils the few pleasures it delivers.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
The in-between moments are interesting, and the dancing is spectacular.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

Great drama-thriller film. Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines were fantastic on their dance sequences.
ashley h

This ended up being a pretty decent movie,nothing oscar worthy, but nobody can dance like they do,its brilliance. The story is pretty decent and interesting

Cast

            Mikhail Baryshnikov as Nikolai "Kolya" Rodchenko

            Gregory Hines as Raymond Greenwood

            Jerzy Skolimowski as Col. Chaiko

            Helen Mirren as Galina Ivanova

            Geraldine Page as Anne Wyatt

            Isabella Rossellini as Darya Greenwood

            John Glover as Wynn Scott

            Stefan Gryff as Capt. Kirigin

            William Hootkins as Chuck Malarek

            Shane Rimmer as Ambassador Smith

            Florence Faure as Ballerina - Death

            Daniel Benzali as Dr. Asher

            Maryam d'Abo as French Girlfriend

            Hilary Drake as Stewardess

            Ian Liston as Co-pilot

            Michael Petrovich as Helicopter Pilot

            David Savile as Pilot

            Jirí Stanislav as Chaiko's Driver

            Benny Young as Flight Engineer

            Josephine Buchan as Caroline

            Helene Denbey as Bess

            Andreas Markos as Escamilla

            Marc Michalsky as KGB Agent

            Susannah Morley as Journalist in Opera House

            Alexander Naumov as KGB #2

            Edward Ochagavia as KGB Agent

            Galina Pomerantzeva as Dvornik

            Sergei Rousakov as KGB Agent

            Megumi Shimanuki as Stewardess

            Mark Sinden as Charles

            Elisa Tornqvist as Journalist at Consulate House

            Maria Werlander as Child Ballerina

            Nancy Klopper
            
See full cast