"White Nights" - 11 pirouettes

[@tinydiamond255]

Barishnikov made those 11 pirouettes look as easy as breathing. Total control, power harnessed effortlessly and executed with unmatched grace.

[@geraldinedemange541]

the greatest of all times . i love him.

[@mizjohs]

Baryshnikov probably has the most perfect balance of anyone who has ever lived, and we can see it even in this amusing little scene.

[@Dan5819]

So true. I don't know how he wasn't dizzy as heck after "spinning" that many times.

[@WithBACON]

Take a look at Gennady Golovkin AKA GGG in his prime (up to about 2015).

[@lauriewagner6804]

@@Dan5819 it's called "spotting". You pick a spot on the wall and stare at it each time you go around in each pirouette at the exact same spot. Watch his head, very carefully, as he's going around in each pirouette. It's what keeps dancers from getting dizzy.😊

[@marialauralorenzo8898]

I agree with you

[@ansaksa]

people talking about balance but it`s actually muscle control, strength. and when people think about strength they mostly imagine lifting weights but this here demands enamorous core and leg strength

[@irisseer2773]

I saw him do this on stage years ago. It's hard to express how amazing his presence was. ♥

[@bttrade6286]

One of my favorite scenes in the movie. For 7 pirouettes, he wasn't even going to take off his jacket. For 11 pirouettes, he at least took off his jacket. LOL LOVE this guy. Gregory Hines was amazing too! Lost him WAY too early.

[@donnamitchell243]

Cancer is a thief.

[@user-yb8vr2ip2t]

@@donnamitchell243 Time is, too...

[@smorgensterin4990]

For someone like Barishnikov, 11 pirouettes is nothing. Which is why the scene is so funny, because he's trying to con Gregory Hines. It's an amazing scene.

[@violettrojo]

My best match 6 on pointes more and more slowly and I ended on my retiré, and felt this breathin to elevate the feet on my knee and then slide my foot behind to reach the 5th position. I felt the touch of grace grabbed me while i was turning. Amazing memories. 40 years later, I remember this perfect balance I wasn't controlling at all. The so called thin invisible air all around was there to keep me balanced. And this day I felt how powerful invisible was. And I don't mean anything religious. Just something we forget to pay attention at.

[@chooseyourpoison5105]

Apparently he did 16 pirouettes while rehearsing for the scene. Just did them like it was nothing. For him, it probably was.

[@crystalearth33]

He makes it look so easy

[@UpRoaryus]

DAMN. The way that guy moves... I don't know that I've ever seen anyone else walk on land with that much grace and precision, male, female or even a cat! It looks like he doesn't even have to fight the inertia of the air around him because he glides through the molecules in the atmosphere as though he can actually see the space between them, or else the command of his presence is so strong they simply part themselves like the Red Sea to allow him passage. Hypnotic.

[@Laura-jq5rk]

Your Words, Poetry.

[@Author_Alyssa_Taylor]

UpRoaryus -- You are a poet. I'm going to copy that and use it on some guy that can't see I'm alive. I hope he turns three shades of red!! :)

[@carolynfeldman9643]

How well stated!

[@celebrim1]

Normally, when I watch ballet, I always feel a little bad for the male dancer, standing beside a graceful ballerina looking big and clumsy and a bit oafish. But when Baryshnikov danced, I always felt a little bad for the ballerina.

[@rondarawson6236]

A true natural...❤

[@nijinsky1000]

The guy showed the world that the Dance is a shared domain of men and women. Without any loss of masculinity. One of the greats. Men today can still learn a lot from him....especially about the power of grace. Thanks FunnydancerAnne.

[@eileenryan9006]

So agree. Male dancers bring that fantastic male energy to their performance in the same way that ballerinas bring feminine archetypal energy to their roles.

[@janeencalaway1862]

Two of the most amazing dances to have ever graced the big screen. The scene where they dance together is spellbinding.

[@kidboeger4694]

I wish we got a modern version of white nights were instead of tap dancing a black guy goes to Russia and shows a legendary ballet dancer how to do hip hop type funk dances

[@mikehuffman5460]

I was fortunate to see him perform in 1977 and in 1984.

[@madeleinegrayson8372]

I love that Misha hustles him here, lol. He could do far more than 11 in his sleep, lol. And that's in dressy boots. He was perfection. Mesmerising to watch.

[@BrettJohnson-uz4py]

I was lucky enough to have him as a teacher for a summer in Louisiana. Boy do I wish I could rewind time.

[@corky7ca]

This man made ballet sexy! He is by far one of the best dancers on the planet! Thanks for posting this!

[@doris6526]

The best....

[@TarasTarot]

Princess Di’s favorite ☺️

[@lindacaylor3289]

Amen to THAT, Corky. 😁

[@emeryryan2415]

Instablaster.

[@lilise3965]

The greatest ballet dancer ever!

[@amandadassonville4043]

There was only one dancer for me. I could not help it. My eyes just could not leave off looking at this most gorgeous Baryshnikov. He is sooooo perfect! 🦋🐝

[@jwil4905]

The thirst is strong with this one.

[@artzyally5020]

I have to watch this movie every few years just to bring Misha back to life in my brain. This is one of my favorite older movies. Damn he is the hottest man ever and just as sexy as he is aging. I adore Baryshnikov.

[@doris6526]

I adore Misha!!!

[@barbarawillis5187]

I am going to rent this movie. Hines and Baryshnikov are great together.

[@janetkriegl6720]

Isabella Rossellini had a pivotal role in this film, also!

[@thecrowrains]

I saw Misha perform when he was well beyond his Ballet career, but seeing him move in contemporary modern doing something as simple as an elevated arm was done with such exacting fluidity and precise placement! I am not even bringing up the EMOTIONAL content that he exuded on stage.

[@HeartWorX.Creations]

I have NEVER seen anyone come close to the perfectly executed pirouettes as Mikhail does here in this scene & in that quantity! the epitome of a seasoned Ballet dancer-As far as i'm concerned--No One compares to his talent as a male ballet dancer--NO One~!!

[@rondarawson6236]

And he wasn't in leotard....he was in street clothing....just WOW..😯😳❤

[@soylentteal]

I remember when this came out. I was glad one of the greatest dancers finally took center stage in a motion picture. He was no slouch as an actor, either.

[@valmacclinchy]

I'd love to see him on the big screen again.

[@soylentteal]

Thanks for sharing that!

[@TheGoddessCaroline]

These two were great together in this movie. I wish they were able to do a few more together. What a great team and a great movie for me. Thank you Baryshnikov and Hines. RIP Gregory Hines.

[@rondarawson6236]

But sadly Gregory has passed on R.I.P....an amazing actor ..💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@irisclaudio956]

That man is perfect !!!

[@puccinislarondine]

It's also kinda amazing because of the fact he perfectly executed all of them in men's dress shoes! Pretty freakin' cool. Love this movie - all of the dance in it is done so well!

[@pristinewaters4579]

Gregory Hines did so well to hold his own in this movie, it would have been easy for any dancer to look like an amateur next to Misha.

[@siribaimusic]

he's the best of the best in his genre, and Misha is best of the best in his genre, so they were perfectly matched.

[@rebepage]

Hines was an exceptional dancer in his own right.

[@lsjt8924]

.....when did race come into this? No one said the fact that he was black means he didn’t have a place in history.....

[@emid5726]

LSJ Tansey Agree. Some people just have to bring race to EVERYTHING.

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

@Nikki: it does not matter what ethnicity Gregory Hines is, he, Sammy Davis Jr., and the Nicolas Brothers are among my favorite dancers. 'See how that works? 😁

[@seinfeldgames9767]

1:19 God!! He made that look easy and effortless, which it isn't! Looks like he could have done even more, and that it was totally within his control. Wow!! I love the song too!

[@dg5580]

Yes! He could have done more but he probably decided not to show off or rub it in anymore than he had to for that particular scene in the movie. Not only is he gorgeous and talented but a beautiful person through experiencing his personality as well. Even witty and humorous....OMG...he's such a charmer!

[@ГалинаЛуточка]

@@CheroCare a wonderful detail! do you have a link to the source?

[@ГалинаЛуточка]

@@CheroCare thank you! I'll try to find it

[@ГалинаЛуточка]

@@CheroCare thank you! I found this interview... it is very interesting, but also a little sad (( it was a difficult period in his life

[@ГалинаЛуточка]

@@CheroCare me too )) Misha is his own most severe critic... I am so glad that he did not break down and continued his path in art... amazing person ))

[@Grapesforbananas]

MAN! HE MADE DANCING LOOK SO EASY AND EFFORTLESS! BY THE WAY, HE IS BEAUTIFUL!

[@bridgetdoman1386]

Love this film. The two of them dancing together is magic. The look on Gregory's face when Mikhail does the 11 pirouettes is a picture.

[@0795920s]

"Can you count?" Love the dry delivery 😄

[@roxanne4820]

he was so talented, so attractive.

[@alanmorris7669]

He's not dead.

[@mariechristina6261]

I love this movie!!! Barishnikov was such a hottie. Giving this old girl hot flashes. 😂

[@linettablankenship245]

Greatest ballet dancer in my lifetime. I wish there were more DVD's of his ballets. What a talented man. Thank you Mikhail Baryshnikov for making your journey to the West 41 years ago. God Bless you!

[@haylalala836]

Mikhail Baryshnikov is phenomenal. And Gregory Hines is perfect. He makes it seem so effortless. Because he's so gifted.

[@mayplantilla1903]

They are both gifted.

[@trinnysaysno]

I miss the 80's... I love my generation

[@brendenbroumand4876]

Trinda...U bet!! I love the 80's and 90's..good days..people social,being real,party together and communicate..right now trinada..people are brainwashed,rude,all about me me me ,haters and rasict!! hey thats life Trinada

[@mariasmith2198]

@@brendenbroumand4876 I wasn't born yet, and I miss the 80's.

[@katyap.8404]

Yes, yes and yes!

[@cinziavidali411]

Barishnikov = a pure diamond

[@NN-rn1oz]

Usually in a movie when a guy takes off his jacket to do something badass, it's kung fu. But this works too.

[@46foryounger]

No matter how much difficulty dances can match today no one dances like him. NO ONE❤

[@mariabe1568]

He has such an amazing nonchalant grace even when he's simply walking (not to mention when he starts to move) :)

[@kaypreciation1]

it's the little victory dance he does afterwards that i truly love!

[@psychoshamrock]

I saw this movie on January 6, 1986 and it was snowing. My god, I remember it so well...Misha can do anything.

[@valmacclinchy]

He's still acting in plays on stage in 2022!

[@vincentpaulmirabellaiifilm3613]

ONE OF MY LIFE LONG FAVORITE FILMS. BARYSHNIKOV AND HINES ARE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. THIS IS AN ICONIC SCENE. I STILL HAVE MY ORIGINAL VHS AND THE SOUNDTRACK ON CASSETTE TAPE. THEY STILL WORK PERFECTLY, BUT A FEW YEARS AGO I BOUGHT THE DVD FOR BACKUP AND WHAT AN AMAZING REMASTERING OF THIS GEM OF A FILM. A MUST WATCH FOR ALL WHO LOVE MUSIC AND DANCE.

[@jillibeens57]

Misha is to dance what Bruce is to martial arts. They are both the masters of their crafts. I love them both.

[@rogerforsberg3910]

It would have been fascinating to see each spend one hour teaching the other about his own particular discipline.

[@eileenryan9006]

Brilliant analogy and having done both, ballet is just as difficult.

[@RealPeterGunn]

I do believe that he could fly if he wished. His ability to stay aloft was almost uncanny!

[@waltrowen5486]

I was in ballet, to stop on a dime like he did, after 11... do y'all know how difficult that is?!?

[@FigureSkatingBeauty]

I can't even do a single without accidentally going at least a quarter turn over!

[@Uoaefe]

The best I was ever able to do was 5, in a studio, with ballet shoes on.

[@kathyc91]

Walt Rowen And that is why he is who he is!

[@AgustDForMe]

Walt Rowen~I was as well, yes absolutely I do and just..wow.....

[@foofoobear66]

Yes, I certainly do.....I did 13 in a pair of peds (they're like socks) for those without a clue....LOL LOL...I shit you not.

[@annmc8392]

Still one of my favourite films.

[@Svartr.HrafnSvartr]

"This isn't ice skating (rink)..." No, but you ARE Baryshnikov.

[@audepons8801]

Un mec, un vrai, et le meilleur danseur au monde...

[@elizabethdelong6431]

I really miss Gregory Hines! What a marvelous dancer. That Russian is pretty awesome too! LOL!

[@lisalu910]

Yeah, that Russian is a pretty good dancer, too... lol

[@annmarieross7912]

I loved the look on g.h. face when he finished... priceless

[@drew6116]

Mariska was brilliant. Genius. But I always remembered the movie for Hine's performance. Maybe because he was so relatable and emotional. Sheer joy to watch them both.

[@pigalle1]

I so love this movie. 2 major players doing their thing.

[@justalurkr]

Mikhail Baryshnikov: Ballet Hustler

[@gabbygibgirl]

I love this movie. RIP Gregory Hines. Great dancer.

[@jihangamal5823]

Baryshnikov is funny.. "this music feels goooood' 😄

[@elizabethwinkelman5536]

The way he MOVES! ❤️❤️❤️

[@valmacclinchy]

Yes, even his walk. And his hands are extremely expressive. Also a great actor.

[@salfordnurse]

Fab. I love the fact he makes it look like it's the easiest thing in the world. Perfectly executed, fabulous rises from fifth position, arm positions perfect. I can manage about 2 pirouettes before I lose momentum .

[@ariengabriella]

Both other them are exceptional talents. Why waste time comparing them? It is like comparing apples and oranges. The best dancers bring something new to their genre and are a delight to watch. Both Hines and Baryshnikov do that. Just enjoy what they both have to offer.

[@RonScibilia]

Props to Taylord Hackford. Really excellent film director.

[@valmacclinchy]

Absolutely, yes! The whole cast was brilliant, too. This movie is a classic.

[@tonks78]

He's sooooo cute!!!! I too love Misha!

[@jcfromupstate1693]

One of my most favorite movies, and haven't seen it in years. Thanks!

[@franlooving4203]

He is just a perfect human! Beautiful, talented, hard working, etc-but I know, no one is perfect. He sure seems close! What a vision to watch and I hold my memories close! Just beautiful & still beautiful in the Rag & Bone ad in 2015. Woo hoo!

[@kimalonzo2145]

I saw that movie in the theater over 20 times!😳😳😳

[@daynejohnson4367]

He could actually do more. I want to say 19 or 20, but he thought the audience wouldn’t believe it and also 11 seemed like a better number for the bet/movie.

[@reymohammed7040]

Not in those shoes, tho

[@CheroCare]

He said in an interview with the Washington Post about this scene : "In old days I used to do 15, 16," he says, "and I did 13 or 14 in rehearsal. I thought it would be nice to do 15 for the picture, but in the end it didn't look very convincing, so I settled for less to make the turns look more natural."

[@siegfried923]

Finest male dancer of his time and hard to beat by todays dancers Lucky enough to see him perform twice at Covent Garden

[@eileenryan9006]

You lucky soand so!

[@Cre8tvMG]

"Rrrrrubles! I forrrgot how small they are!" I love his acting.

[@kimalonzo2145]

I thought he said "smooth" 🤔

[@ГалинаЛуточка]

@@kimalonzo2145 No, he said small ))

[@ilovefacebookandebay]

Love this film. And Mischa was gorgeous in it.!

[@maryannguess7115]

Those two were beyond Perfection on the dance Floor...Noone even comes Close today...amazing.. I really miss those two❤

[@lieslherbold5941]

One of the best dance movies of all time! Their duet is phenomenal!!

[@Cablecol]

So perfect Mikhail....🥰

[@evealicelucienne]

Well, you're right. He has a peculiar relationship with the laws of physics. Gravity doesn't apply to him either!

[@emiliaszabo1722]

Soooo sweet words..I agreee

[@vickiehorowitz1934]

I am delighted every time I watch that scene.

[@MartinaRinoldo]

We Love Misha!!!!

[@nanzeez7023]

I loved this dance offs between these two great dancers. Wish they made more movies together

[@sandrarekker585]

lol...this scene hits!! I strongly believe Baryshnikov is like this in real life!!

[@remyparaskovia5499]

I love this Man, greatest Dancer in the world.

[@follonerosioux5134]

wrong. Rudolph Nureyev was.

[@Velvetfire73]

One of my favorite scenes in any movie ever.

[@karenwhite2338]

Misha made that look so darn easy. The man was a Ballet God.

[@sburch1529]

Mr Hines and Mr Baryshnikov were in an interview after this movie. Everyone expected Mr Hines to have had the hardest time adapting his tap style to accommodate ballet. It was actually harder for Mr Baryshnikov to relax the strict control of ballet.

[@eileenryan9006]

Actually, i can really believe that. Intense and prolonged ballet training does condition your body to more in a specific way. Even standing in parallel feels odd!

[@zaleacampbell996]

One of my favourite movies of all time ....

[@danceer96]

Wow! I love Mikhail Baryshnikov!

[@marthajane6617]

MISHA, it doesn't get any better, classical dance will never be the same, thank you Sir Misha, he and Gregory were meant to be.

[@doris6526]

Eleven pirouettes...eleven Rubles.....Love you Misha!

[@4adgray2]

Sweet Sweet Mishka! I watched this on the big screen first and that was enough to hook every person inthe cinema. I just showed this to my fiance and he - a complete non-dance, non-ballet person - was completely impressed! I remember Rudolph as the dancer's dancer but Mishka leaves him in the dust! Rudy got me into Ballet and Mishka taught me what to do with it! .¸¸.ღ`☆´ღ.¸¸.

[@jobond3317]

So smooth just beautiful

[@marjorietoppie4265]

I still have a huge crush on this man!!!!

[@valentinalammey3955]

God of dance

[@carolecarr5210]

The two of them dancing later made this great movie.

[@esterbalbi4558]

THE DANCER WITH WINGS IN HIS LEGS. tHE BEST ABSOLUTELY!!

[@chalkiememe4183]

One of my all time favourite films.

[@tatianaespinoza9205]

Such control and grace

[@OperaJH]

One of my favorite movies of all time! You should watch the dance duet with Gregory Hines - I believe one of the greatest tap dancers who ever lived. The two of them together - dynamite sequences.

[@monicabonatesfeijo]

One of the best scenes in movies...a classic

[@KristaAMartin]

Everybody loved Mikhail the defector, after that, there was a big dance craze in America. It was like a comet had hit out of nowhere.

[@EyeLean5280]

Yes, much like when Nureyev defected a generation before.

[@KristaAMartin100]

I was just kidding,....the defector was Robin Williams.

[@EyeLean5280]

Krista Antonini Martin Okaaaaaaaaaay.

[@rachelnaomimarie]

I've seen this part of the movie about 20 times, and each time it's still just as incredible :)

[@kevsorb123]

I saw him live in the 80s, with his Amercan Dance Company. He didn’t do any ballet,but he was awesome doing contemporary dance. Love this movie!! 11 rubles for 11 pirouettes, awesome!!

[@UpRoaryus]

I actually prefer his less traditional stuff, as it allows to show more of his own style and creativity. I feel like ballet is very limited when he performs, like it is insufficient vocabulary to express his passion. Ballet is very ...regimented? I dunno, almost restrictive, particularly when compared with when he does something more modern that also takes full advantage of his ballet training, but gives it freedom to be MORE in contrast to the contemporary movements or jazz steps. It's similar to how the discordant clash of musical interval like a seventh or a second is what makes the return to the root chords sweeter in resolving the tension. The duet with Hines in White Knights is breathtaking. Though he elevated that style of dance, which I had always found ultimately boring after about 15 minutes, strict ballet is almost a waste of his talent, which is bigger than that art alone. He is like the Bruce Lee of ballet, something unique in mastery of it.

[@jennic.548]

I love this movie... Great soundtrack as well.

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

Two of my favorite dancers. Baryshinikov was the ballet dancer from my childhood: he was a phenomenon in the 1970s. Gregory Hines was the old school tap-dancer, all around amazing dance man. He and Misha are amazing together.

[@jonnak6487]

He makes it look so easy :)

[@ZOLO1565]

One of the best movies of its time

[@timeforthinkers7418]

Pure magic! Both of these guys, AMAZING!

[@MacLeanLauri]

So great! What an amazing dancer. I never get tired of seeing this clip.

[@amandabyram1691]

Hines' face is so good right there... baby you just got had

[@doris6526]

Perfecto, gracioso, grandioso artista.Misha amo tu carrera de genio!💖