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Nureyev (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Nureyev (2019) movie poster

Nureyev is a 2019 documentary directed by David Morris and Jacqui Morris, starring Margot Fonteyn, Dick Cavett and Siân Phillips. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $342,255 worldwide. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
85%
worldwide gross
$342.3K
Echo Score
67
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Nureyev (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Directors
David Morris and Jacqui Morris
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Nureyev About?

The premise of Nureyev without spoilers.

This documentary chronicles the extraordinary life of Rudolf Nureyev, beginning with his early years on a Trans-Siberian train and culminating in his dramatic defection to the West during the Cold War. The film explores his legendary partnership with Margot Fonteyn and his ascent to global fame, showcasing the passion and drama that defined his career. It’s a story of artistic brilliance and cultural impact, reflecting the spirit of Russian literature and the complexities of the era.

Nureyev Themes & Keywords

· 5 tags
  • ballet dancer
  • male dancer
  • homo
  • soviet defector
  • russian abroad
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Cast & crew

Nureyev Cast & Characters

Margot Fonteyn leads the cast, with Dick Cavett and Siân Phillips. Directed by David Morris and Jacqui Morris; 23 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Nureyev

· 19 more
Show all 23 cast members
From the directors

More from David Morris and Jacqui Morris

More films directed by David Morris and Jacqui Morris, best-rated first: McCullin, A Christmas Carol, Attacking the Devil: Harold Evans and the Last Nazi War Crime and Mr. Right.

Ratings

Nureyev Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Nureyev 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

67 /100

Nureyev Echo Score Breakdown

The documentary offers a compelling portrait of Rudolf Nureyev’s life but struggles with narrative cohesion. Striking visual sequences, including sensual black-and-white photographs, underscore his charisma and artistic intensity. However, extended contemporary dance reconstructions feel stylistically discordant and disrupt the film’s momentum. While the project captures powerful biographical moments, its uneven structure tempers the overall impact.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film delivers visually striking imagery but shows inconsistent integration. The Richard Avedon photographs stand out for their refined composition and evocative contrast. Conversely, the modern dance reconstructions appear garish and lack aesthetic continuity with the rest of the footage. The overall aesthetic impresses in places despite occasional dissonance.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, the documentary offers an intimate glimpse into Nureyev’s persona and inner drive. The film conveys his passion through archival interviews and evocative visuals that capture his dedication. Some viewers note that the dramatic narrative lacks consistent emotional pacing, which slightly diminishes the depth of his personal journey. The portrait remains engaging despite a degree of uneven resonance.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative is informative yet uneven in pacing and cohesion. Critics acknowledge a great underlying life story but cite shortcomings in the Morrises’ storytelling approach. Long segments of reconstructed dance can feel out of place, interrupting the film’s momentum. Although the documentary maintains interest through key life events, it would benefit from tighter structural coherence.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    The sensory experience hinges on striking black-and-white photography and a tailored musical accompaniment but occasionally feels visually incongruent. Avedon’s portraits create moments of high stylistic refinement, and the score underscores emotional peaks effectively. At the same time, contemporary dance reconstructions lack the same visual harmony, leading to occasional jarring shifts. Overall, the film offers memorable sensory highs amid variable cohesion.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Regarding rewatch factor, the documentary presents valuable insights into Nureyev’s life but offers limited replay appeal due to structural unevenness. Essential biographical details and captivating photographic sequences invite a revisit for ballet enthusiasts. Yet pacing inconsistencies and stylistic shifts may deter broader repeated viewings. While the film’s historical significance gives it some lasting appeal, it may not sustain multiple viewings for all audiences.

Box office

Nureyev Box Office

Nureyev grossed $342,255 worldwide. $165,203 came from the US and Canada and $177,052 (52%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$342.3K

US & Canada
$165.2K
International
$177.1K
US & Canada 48% Rest of the world 52%
Videos

Nureyev Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Nureyev.

NUREYEV (2018) | Official Trailer
Details

Nureyev Also Known As

33 alternative titles, including “EL BAILARIN (NUREYEV” and “EL CUERVO BLANCO)”.

Also known as
  • EL BAILARIN (NUREYEV
  • EL CUERVO BLANCO)
  • Nouregief: To leyko koraki
  • To leyko koraki
  • Νουρεγιεφ: Το Λευκο Κορακι
  • 白乌鸦
  • 白烏鴉:紐瑞耶夫傳奇
  • Нуреев. Белый ворон
  • Рудолф Нуреев: Бялата врана
  • Біла ворона
  • El bailarín
  • Noureev
+21 more
  • Biały kruk
  • 芭蕾舞王雷里耶夫
  • Νουρέγιεφ: Το Λευκό Κοράκι
  • Beyaz Karga
  • Nurijevs. Baltais krauklis
  • Nureyev - The White Crow
  • Бела врана
  • Bílá vrána
  • El cuervo blanco
  • The White Crow - Rudolf Nurejev élete
  • 화이트 크로우
  • 白色烏鴉
  • Nurejew - The White Crow
  • O Corvo Branco
  • เดอะ ไวท์ คราว
  • El corb blanc
  • העורב הלבן
  • ホワイト・クロウ 伝説のダンサー
  • Biela vrana
  • Beli vran
  • Valge vares

Seen Nureyev?

FAQ

Nureyev FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Nureyev, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Nureyev?

Nureyev runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was Nureyev released?

Nureyev was released on April 26, 2019.

Who directed Nureyev?

Nureyev was directed by David Morris and Jacqui Morris.

More films by David Morris

Who is in the cast of Nureyev?

Nureyev stars Margot Fonteyn, Dick Cavett and Siân Phillips, among 23 credited actors.

How much did Nureyev make at the box office?

Nureyev grossed $342,255 worldwide ($165,203 domestic, $177,052 international).

How is Nureyev rated?

Nureyev has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.

Does Nureyev have a post-credit scene?

No. Nureyev has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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