"The Best of Ballroom" DVD features world class performers all holding a variety of international and national championships. Accompanied by nineteen newly recorded songs by the world famous 101 Strings Orchestra, our danc... more »ers perform especially for you. Beautiful sets, intelligent lighting, superb music and wonderful performances all add up to one hour of dancing pleasure. 60 minutes.« less
"This DVD has a number of very skilled ballroom champions showcasing different dances. I guess the DVD isn't bad for a beginner who wants a no-nonsense review of what each of the dances look like. But for someone looking for more, the performances lack the energy and technical proficiency of champion level couples performing in a competition setting.The set and the editing are also amateurish. Many times the camera angles changes and you are stuck with a view that is obscured by a flower pot or other ridiculous pieces of the thrown together scenery.The music is not good and often times it seems that the music that is on the tape is different from what the couples were listening to live.All in all disappointing."
Ballroom Champions demonstrate various dances.
Jose E. Garcia | Austin, TX United States | 06/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This DVD has a very good cross section of both International as well as American Style dances in both the Latin/Rhythm and Standard/Smooth categories. It was recorded with excellent care in Asheville, NC at the Grove Park Inn. The performances are all done by DanceSport Champions and are as beautiful as they are energetic and fun to watch. The music chosen was also great. This DVD is one that will entertain most lovers of ballroom dancing, and will keep us practicing the extra hours so we can some day hopefully dance as well as the professionals."
Very disappointing
R. Maynard | Epsom, New Hampshire United States | 03/28/2002
(1 out of 5 stars)
"The dancers are superbly skilled -- no question there -- but this film is neither entertaining nor informative. There is virtually no unifying theme other than the dancing itself. It is not about competition, nor is it instructional or emotionally compelling, so what is the purpose of this production? If it's meant to be about partner dancing, the emotional connection between the couples on the dance floor should be given great emphasis. However in this film, that connection is lost -- completely.
It displays the dazzling technical skills of the dancers, but what good is that without communicating feelings. The problem seems to lie within the choreography of the individual routines. Although the dancers' lines match beautifully, it's like watching two solo acts performed simultaneously. Compare the performances in this film with those couples doing competitive ballroom or figure skating as shown on TV...you'll see what I mean."
Grotesque
R. Maynard | 04/15/2003
(1 out of 5 stars)
"this is anything but the "best of dancesport." I love to watch ballroom dancing. Its poetry in motion. The makers of this video somehow managed to make it all look smarmy and unseamly. The set designs are awful and the makeup is atrocious. The dancers themselves are creepy. Don't buy it."
Very Misleading - Don't Buy!
R. Cacace | 02/23/2006
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this on a whim because of the description on the back: "Whether you're a beginner or have been dancing for years, each dance is broken down to the basics so you can learn quickly and easily or step up what you already know!"
Imagine my surprise when I put in the DVD and there's no dance instruction at all! The whole DVD is of professional dancers doing their routines. They are definitely talented (though some were very overdone), but that's not why I bought it.
CD1 has a good selection of songs for different dances, but CD2 is nothing but Tango.