Riverdance - The Show Reviews

• Which is better RD or LOTD? Hmmmm

  
  By AKDXXW89ZLCJS on 2002-08-19
  Let me just say this, I am an Irish dancer, have been dancing with some modest success off and on for 15 years or more.
  I've even performed in a mini Riverdance/LOTD type show. Affectionatly called Puddledance. :-)
  So here goes: I like both shows, I also like both dancers (i.e. Colin vs. Michael)
  Yes MF probably has/had more skill than Colin. However Colin is a much less ego-centric person and is IMHO easier and at times more enjoyable to watch.
  I appreciate what MF has brought to both shows, however I find Riverdance a better overall production and here is why;

  1. The costumes do not look like some tacky combination between the worst of Irish dance competition wear and a Vegas showgirl show. They are simple, subtle and work well with the dancing. (Have you seen Feet of Flames and that ridiculous cape they made Dair nolan dance with!! Or the UGLY catsuit they put the Gypsy girl in..oh god the list is endless...)ANY show knows you need to have appropriate costumes to carry off the theme fo the show. I wish someone had told MF that.

  2. As much as MF is/was a brilliant dancer and is a pretty good coreographer he spends way too much time in the world of ME ME ME and does not show even half the joy Colin shows when he is dancing. Nor does he let his co-stars shine too brightly, lest they dim his own star. I really do like the man folks but it is so OBVIOUS. And I am sorry just becuase the man has done so well does not give him an excuse to be so arrogant that is not OK in my book at all. Humility will get you more acolades than arrogance.

  3. Riverdance is more well rounded it doesn't go over the top, it shows you a good mix of what Irish dancing is, what it can be and shows how it compares and contrasts with other forms of Dance. That in and of itself makes it a bit stronger than all the MF shows combined.

  4. Colin vs. Michael is just silly, two different men, two diffent skill levels. And honestly Colin does more actual "Irish" dancing than Michael has done in ALL the shows combined. MF style is more a hybrid of Irish and US Tap dancing with WAY too much posturing and goofing around without as much real dancing going on. So the fact is does Colin make mistakes? Yes, of course he does, Irish dance is VERY difficult dance style in many ways it is as dificult and requires as much training as Ballet. But it is even more complex than ballet and every single Irish dancer in the world has bad days and good days. Unfortunatley sometimes those bad days happen at the wrong moment, i.e. The Grammys.
  So anyway while I enjoy Mr. Flatley's shows Riverdance is a much stronger show without him and as a whole is a better example of the best of Irish dancing. Regardless of the he said/she said debate over who contributed what, Riverdance had its vision MF had another so they separated. MF was never technically "fired" he refused to go on until the issues was resolved the way he wanted and they couldn't reach a middle ground, it happens all the time folks. And personally I'm glad it did, because we got a whole new group of shows that may never had exisited if MF had stayed with Riverdance. I like both as I said, I just think Riverdance is a bit stronger than the various LOTD shows.
  Now if we could just re-train camera men to properly film these shows it would be lovely!!!!
  
  

• Example for how poor editing can spoil a fantastic show

  
  By A3E8AKGR1VKFE0 on 2000-04-14
  I have seen Riverdance - The Show live performance by Pat Roddy and Eileen Martin. But this DVD - featuring Colin Dunne and Jean Butler - is a very good example of how poor editing and lack of video making experience can spoil an excellent performance. Trust me, the makers of this video do not know even the basics of video making and they do not have the faintest idea - what is Irish dance. When Jean is energetically delivering her excellence, the camera is focused on her face or torso! Agreed, she is beautiful, but come on, an Irish dance lover do not see the show to ogle at the performing girls! And that magnificient orchestra playing Bill Whelan's magical scores do not get a good slot in the video either! Radio hall owes a good one to the makers of this video since most the time the hall is shown from a long angle leaving the skills of dancers in the middle of the screen as tiny dots! One side of the DVD could have been made as a non-stop delivery of the whole show, and the other side could have had the behind the scenes and dancer's biographies. Flipping over the DVD in the middle of the show is frustrating! I am looking forward for a better version of this DVD. Hopefully they make another one as Riverdance is back on live in New York now!
  
  

• Sometimes the original is truly the best

  
  By A1AP2L72QGGFTM on 1999-04-21
  A far cry from the static monstrosity the show has become on Broadway, the original Riverdance with Michael Flatley and Jean Butler is unbeatable. Colin Dunn may be a skilled performer, but no amount of championship titles can make up for the fact he lacks Flatley's presence and command of the audience. This production of Riverdance is the only one you need - forget Riverdance: The journey and the Radio City Music hall nightmare. This is Riverdance the way it was meant to be, before the producers drove Flatley away and stole his creation. The can claim credit all they wish, but Michael Flatley proved where the true passion for the dance went when he bravely formed his own production of Lord of the Dance and later, Feet of Flames. The current Broadway Riverdance show is fine for making the producers money and appeasing the tourists, but they cannot deny the passion and fire of the original is gone. The only thing worth watching the Broadway cast for is the added solos of Maria Pages and the newer modern tap routines. But there is no beating the original production, with it's passion and fire that truly embody the spirit of the Celts. Between Bill Whelan's gorgeous score and Flatley and Butler's unequaled talents leading a fabulously talented cast, this is truly an example of a great idea that should never have been tampered with.
  
  

• Buy this version!

  
  By A16S0CNPC88RXH on 2000-06-27
  I've seen both versions of "Riverdance," with and without Michael Flatley, and I think this one is far and away the better. His successor is a terrific dancer, in a rather self-contained style, but he lacks Flatley's gusto and his rapport with the other dancers and the audience (compare the duos with Jean Butler in both versions and you'll see what I mean). Flatley always looks as if he's enjoying himself, and he throws himself into every performance with passion and enthusiasm -- even after many hundreds of shows, it's not "just a job" to him! Ms. Butler is superb: she can be light as thistledown, or stomp out an intricate rhythm in tap shoes with the best of them.
  As for the rest of the film, I could have done with fewer choral selections, although both Anuna and the Gospel group perform well. I would have liked to see more of the band: as an Irish music aficionado, I was stunned to read the credits and see the caliber of musicians who'd been performing, but the tape didn't give more than the odd 10 seconds to anyone besides Davy Spillane. And I can't imagine why the filmmakers didn't include the tap dance segment, which was, to me, the best part of the New York tape.
  But this version has it all over the other in one very important respect: whoever filmed it understood something about Irish dancing. They focused on the footwork, which, to a fan of this dance style, is THE most interesting part. The show was a gigantic hit in Ireland -- and in the heavily Irish communities in the U.S. -- in large part because it took a traditional (sometimes hackneyed) ethnic dance form and turned it on its ear. If it's filmed as just another razzle-dazzle dance show, with no attention to its roots, much of the enjoyment goes out of it -- and I think that happened in the New York version.
  
  

• Riverdance, moving Celtic music of the past and our time.

  
  By AQ0XWDRA7X6C2 on 2001-03-24
  The editor's criticism of Riverdance is meaningless. Riverdance is truly a phenomenom. I was so impressed by how moving the dances and music are. The dancers never waste any time. They just move from one beautiful move to another. They have a very good dance cast and on the stage they bring life and motion. You can't resist the tapping sounds. The music brings just as much liveliness. The music cast includes piper Davy Spillane, accordianist Mairtin O'Conner, and fiddler Maire Breatnach(before Eileen Ivers joined the show). The music is at times slow and moody, but then it goes on to be energetic and jig like. One of the best parts of the music is the songs. The choral group Anuna, made up of five men and five women, sings so beautifully in "The Heart's Cry", "The Heartland", and the song "Riverdance". The American gospel influence of "Freedom", performed by the James Bignon group portrays the dreams of freedom shared by America and Ireland. The finally at the end with Anuna and the African-American group together is so cute! One cannot ignore the beauty of the song, "Lift the Wings", which I believe helped inspire the Titanic theme(you can't resist that lovely low whistle). All of the music is a great picture of Celtic music, bringing the spirit of the past to our time. At the same time, it has influence from cultural music of Spain, Russia, and African-American gospel. It is folly for one to resist this masterpiece. It is a classic that will last a long time. Even teenagers like myself adore the soundtrack, but one should also get a hold of the video to see the dances. The songs and dances often relate to Celtic legends and mythology, such as "The Countess Kathleen" and "Lament For Cu Chuchaillin". You can not say no to Davy Spillane's powerful uillean pipes! Therefore, be sure to get the original show of RIverdance, which I am pleased to see that as many Americans and Europeans alike have delighted in.
  
  
• Very poor editing and camera zoom positions
  By A2ACMVZ2X69ZTR on 2000-01-20
  It is disappointing to see just how poorly the video angles, camera placement and editing were done. The energy of the tap performances and the dancers was never the focus of attention - instead, the producer(s) seemed to want to go crazy with their continuous jumping from one camera to another without any thought to showing the performance in its best light. The camera angles continually changed around the stage , with extreme closeups of head and torso that simply did not do *any* justice to the dancing.

  The original "Riverdance - The Show" video is a *much* better edited performance, albeit with fewer actual tap dancing scenes. The performance of another similar video "Lord Of The Dance" did not sit well with me either, perhaps because the originality and energy of the dancers was subsumed in an over-produced, over-glitzy performance. Some improvement in the editing over *this* video, but still not anywhere as good as it could have been.

  I would recommend the original "Riverdance - The Show" over any of the subsequent performances that have been released. Now, if I could only find that performance in DVD format - the only release that I know of is VHS!
  
  

• Sometimes there can be no denying greatness
  By on 1999-08-15
  Many people have critizised Michael Flatley for having an egolarger than the 32 counties of Ireland (26 counties for youpessimists), but sometimes in life there are those that are so good at what they do-- they have earned a bit of cockiness. Michael Flately is an amazing Irish dancer-- in all likelihood, the best in the world-- so shouldn't we all cut him a bit of slack? The show is fantastic and Flatley makes it. Also appearing is Jean Butler (who appears a LITTLE stiff with nervousness in her first number, but then loosens up and does a beautiful job), and she is magnificent. I would recommend to anyone that hasn't seen Riverdance to see the first one (With Michael Flatley), but also the second at Radio City Music hall (With Colin Dunn). Both are VERY different, and equally amazing. I don't have enough good to say about it. See the show!!
  
  
• Flatley is gone...and that makes this one so much better
  By A1BLHHI5XJLCZG on 2000-02-12
  Riverdance: The Show was a great video for me at the time. But Live From New York beats it in almost every aspect. Colin Dunne was made to be in this show from the very beginning. In my opinion he could dance circles around Flatley. What's really impressive to me is that this one has more new dances and songs--including a couple of orchestra-only sets. The music is fabulous, and the atmosphere of Radio City Music Hall gives Live From New York something that just could not be found in Riverdance: The Show . . . and that was class. Even if you don't think you would be a fan of dancing like this, watch just the first dance. That was enough to interest me.
  
  
• Extremely close to the live show
  By A30BCRSABL9AYI on 2005-12-30
  I went to a performance in Raleigh, NC and enjoyed it so much I bought the DVD version right away. The DVD will give you a taste of the great music that makes up the show. I was lucky enough to have center stage 12 row back tickets so I was able to see everything extremely well. I was amazed at how fast their feet moved! Thanks to the various camera angles you can see the same thing at home. There were a couple of things that unfortuantely didn't make it into the DVD version that were a couple of the many highlights for me personally. The first was a part where a woman was crouched down and was spun around by her dancing partner. The highlight here to me was the fact that she was spun around about as fast as the ice skaters spin. I couldn't believe she could keep her balance while on one foot and be spun around so fast. The other was the "street" dancers routine was cut down a little in the DVD version. Despite lacking those 2 items, however, this DVD is an easy 5 stars and should be purchased without hesitation for yourself or for someone else as a gift. As with all recorded shows, I recommend seeing them live as well if you get a chance, it's truly an amazing evening.
  
  
• Poor video production of an outstanding performance
  By on 2000-01-16
  I saw Riverdance at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago in a production very similar to the one on this videotape performed and recorded live at Radio City Music Hall. What I saw on the video was a small fraction of the sensational dancing demonstrated by the performers I saw in person. That is because there are far more shots showing the head, torso and theatre than full-body dancing. Just as soon as you think you are really going see some fabulous dancing the camera cuts away. I think the tape editors were too into the art of video and not at all into the art of DANCE. It was very frustrating to watch this videotape.
  
  
• Liked the original Riverdance? Wait till you see this!
  By on 1998-11-24
  The original Riverdance video was terrific, but I think this is even better. The fantastic dancing and lightning-precision choreography of the original is kept here, and the delightful international cast and multiculturalism of the original is expanded upon in this production with a pair of African-American tap-dancers who do a wickedly funny "duel" with Colin Dunne.

  Jean Buter shines, of course, just as she did in the original. Colin Dunne, while not quite as good technically as Michael Flatley, is nevertheless highly skilled, and even more of a delight to watch since Dunne's focus seems to be more on making the production as a whole look good rather than on calling attention to his own "amazing feet feats." Dunne's self-deprecating humor in the above-mentioned "duel," as a tap dancer parodies Irish dance, is alone worth the price of the video. This video is a great companion piece to the original and not a repeat!
  
  

• PLEASE learn to film dance!
  By A1JXMT9VDF1AX0 on 2000-07-30
  All three major Irish dance films suffer from the inability of whoever is doing the filming to film dance properly! This is the greatest abuser of the three. There are three major problems: 1) not filming the dancers full body, 2) stage lighting (not the best for filming, though fine for viewing a live performance), and 3) excessive changes in camera angle. Of these three, the second is forgiveable, being unavoidable if one is filming before a live audience but one and three are not! As to one, there was extensive work done by Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly in the early days of the musical that worked out the best ways to film dance. Only one completely ignorant of filming technique would fail to film full body. As for three, I can tell you that there are nine cameras in New York's Radio City Music Hall. How do I know? BECAUSE THE FILMOGRAPHER SWITCHED CAMERAS EVERY 10-15 SECONDS OF EVERY FLIPPING DANCE! HELLO, we do not ALL watch an excessive quantities of MTV, thank you very much! This is distracting at best and at worst it totally disrupts the ability to appreciate the flow of the movement. Additionally, if you've already seen the Michael Flatley film there is very little of interest or improvement (unless you dislike his work, in which case you may like this). The only major change is a "dance down" pitting American tap against Irish step. This particular number, were it film properly, would be worth the price of adding this work to your collection, even if it already included the original "Riverdance", but, as it is, forget it! Rent it on video, see the number, and forget wasting you well-earned money on this forgetable turkey. The performers worked hard and I am sorry that those filming them didn't give their effort the presentation it deserved.
  
  
• Great Dance vs. Bad Video
  By AB53P2PT4ZJTY on 2000-10-18
  About 3 years ago, I got a video tape from my sister from US, she recorded the Riverdance show in TV, Both my wife and I love the great dance and wonderful music very much. So we hope one day the show will be release as the DVD(Just becasue DVD can perform good quality video and audio). We hope to buy it.

  However, I bought the DVD when it first released on market. I wait about 2 weeks than get the DVD, I'm so exciting to open it and put it into my DVD player. ..

  My first image was ?????, why the quality so bad? anything I doing wrong? So I check my DVD configuration and the TV. My all others DVD are without problem.

  The DVD include 2 sections, so I thought maybe the next section will better, but I wsa wrong and felt very upset.

  I returned it.
  
  

• Technical perfection can be fun!
  By A2ZNJKY01ANDHG on 1999-11-27
  There will never be a winner in the Flantley vs Dunne debate, which is perhaps appropriate, as the true star of the show is the music and dance, ably assisted by Colin Dunne, Jean Butler, Katie McMahon, et al. The sheer power of this production is overwhelming. Even those who are not afficianados of the dance will be enthralled by the pounding rhythms and dizzying movements of the dancers. The joy of Riverdance is apparent in the interplay between the performers, masterfully captured in this video. When the dancers are enjoying themselves, the audience feeds on the enthusiasm, and a performance becomes a memorable event. Riverdance - Live from New York City is just such an occasion. If I ever find a time machine, I'm going back to catch the premier! What a show!
  
  
• This isn't Riverdance! Don't Bother!
  By A25HMC9G7Z635I on 2005-02-17
  I purchased Riverdance live in from NYC because I wanted to check out the extra 45min of footage. But, as the other reviews warned me the filming process was a complete disaster! If you like feeling like your watching a show from the very back row, than this ones for you! Buy the original Riverdance filmed in Ireland. That is the only true classic!!!
  
  
• Great show, dreadful video
  By on 1999-09-04
  I saw the show with Colin Dunne, and was delighted with it. But the video was a dreadful disappointment. The direction is nothing less than atrocious. There is constant cutting from one angle to another, and to closeups of feet and faces.After a while I began timing the shots. The average length of time before each change of camera: Five seconds. To film such extraordinary dancers in this flashy, incredibly distracting way is a slap in the face to dancers and audience alike. This is an unwatchable disaster of a video.
  
  
• The best!
  By A1LB3QFH4O7693 on 2001-08-16
  (Note: I geared this review towards Irish dancing fans who want to buy a Riverdance, but are not sure which one to get.)
  This is by far the best Riverdance to get, for several reasons. It is of higher quality: better stage, better costumes, etc.

  Also, there are great extra songs what the other does not have, such as:

  Trading Taps has a little "showdown" between three Irish dancers and two American black jazz dancers. It is very entertaining, humerous, and all around enjoyable. I really missed that in the first Riverdance. Oscail an Doras: One of my favorite Irish songs overall! It combines drums, singing and dancing. It also has a wonderful tune and great harmonies.

  Lift the Wings is a duet with a man and woman, and that really enhances the song. It is beautiful.

  Freedom is much better. I did not like the Baptist choir they had. I have nothing against that style of music, but it definately did not fit with this show one bit. Now they have the regular singers performing, as well as a man with a really deep bass voice. Kind of like the man who sang "Old Man River" from Showboat.

  Firedance is not a duet. Maria Pages definately has enough charisma and presence to do a solo, and, IMHO, it is much better that way. Also, Michael Flately cannot do any suggestive petting.

  Besides having differences, this movie keeps many of the same winning features of the last one, such as the beautiful and talented Jean Butler (I swear she floats when she dances); the wonderful lady lead singer whose name I do not know, but has a hauntingly, achingly gorgeous voice; and the same great songs. Now I shall tell the best asset: Colin Dunne. Michael Flatley may think he is lord of the Dance, but Colin Dunne IS the dance. All one has to do is look at his face, and see the expression of pure bliss. The best thing about him is that, to him, the audience dissapears, which obviously does not happen with Michael Flatley. Flatley is a performer, and, while there is nothing wrong with that, that interferes with the actual show. I think the best way to compare the two is to look at how they stand after some dances. After Reel Around the Sun, Flately stands straight up with his arms outstretched, obstructing the view of the dancers behind him. Dunne, after another song, stands with is head down, and hands pointing backwards towards them, drawing the viewer's gaze backwards. One more thing: I have seen it mentioned on other reviews that Dunne's chemistry with Jean Butler was not as good as Flatley's. I disagree; it is better. The only person Flatley has chemistry with is himself. Dunne and Butler have respect for eachother; that is obvious.

  In short, if you are getting one Riverdance, get this one. If you can get both, get both! For, as some people say, the camera is not always used to its full potential. However, it is hardly bothersome. I can assure you that you will be hard pressed to find a better-spent 2 hours than the time spent watching this film.
  
  

• Overediting Destroys a Fabulous Show
  By A3DX25WKM2W7HE on 2004-11-11
  I loved Riverdance. I have seen it live twice. And every time I pull this DVD out and watch it, it makes me crazy. It is so over edited it is almost impossible to watch. There are far too many shots that are closeups of the dancers faces or long shots that are so far away the dancers are specs on the stage. In both cases you just can't see the dancing. I was so glad to read all the reviews that reaffirmed this view. I just wish I had read them beforehand. I don't know that it would have kept me from buying the DVD (I use it to listen to the music now), but at least I would have been prepared.
  
  
• Flat without Flatley
  By AYC1ITR0GUMI3 on 2000-03-09
  Seemed a reprise of an earlier Riverdance, without the excitement that Michael Flatley provided. However, none of the releases post Riverdance the Show, met the high water mark of the original. Lord of the Dance, too much spectacle, not enough focus on dance that the original Riverdance portrayed so well. Really want a DVD of Riverdance the Show, with full quality of the recent DVD releases. In the meantime, I'll keep what I have and enjoy both DVD's, Riverdance-Live from NYC, and Lord of the Dance and the VHS tape of Riverdance the Show.
  
  
• A Dream Come True After Eurovision--"RIVERDANCE"
  By A2HTB0YFLXGZN on 2005-12-04
  With tremendous applause and a standing ovation at the 1994 Eurovision's 7 minute intermission; Michael Flatley, Jean Butler, and an Irish troupe of dancers tapped their way into the record books. It was all that was talked about that night long ago. "Riverdance" was born soon after.
  The show was filmed at the Point Theater in Dublin, Ireland and the stage there is perfect. The co-ordination and speed of the Irish taps were spectacular to watch as the Riverdance troupe went through their opening number, "Reel Around the Sun". Michael Flatley came out with such speed that he takes in the whole stage. He's got such carisma that he makes you feel he's dancing just for you. Anuna, with the fabulous Kate McMahon, sing songs that are hauntingly beautiful. Maria Pages does her exquisite spanish, "Firedance". She starts out dancing alone, then Michael joins her. (Cute couple to watch) Jean Butler is lovely and a joy to watch in her opening number "The Countess Cathleen"; she has such cute facial expressions! The older women that sings "Lift the Wings" brought shivers down my spine. I just love that song! "Freedom" was done by a gospel choir and I can't forget "The Russian Dervish", which was very colorful; performed by three men and three women, who do some amazing stunts as they twirl through this number. This video came out in 1995; a very dynamic and breathtaking experience. It celebrates Irish dancing at its best. I hope it will be back on the shelf soon so people can experience this presentation of Irish dancing and song. I loved every minute of it.
  
  
  
• Excellent Dancing
  By A38PFSHD1EFG6P on 2000-12-17
  This is an absolute Irish treasure, a brilliant showcase of Irish dance and music. The dancing was the highlight for me. Michael Flatley and Jean Butler dancing together was the basic element that held the show together and who the 5 stars are for. Michael Flatley, contrary to popular media opinion, does not have a huge ego. Having met this man twice in 1997, I found him to be gracious, kind, gentle, sincere and soft-spoken, taking time to stop and talk with his fans. Sadly, Mr. Flatley's flute piece, accompanied by bodhran player Tommy Hayes, was cut from the American release, along with a few other things, and a second dance by Ms. Maria Pages. No one can light up the stage and transform such energy to an audience like Mr. Flatley, no matter what the critics say. He is the best of the best in modern Irish dance, period, no matter if you like him or not. Be sure to watch for a new upcoming show from him, in the near future! He never stops creating.
  
  
• A great show, spoiled by poor editing
  By on 2002-01-24
  Wonderful dancing, wonderful Bill Whelan score. Michael Flatley is a great dancer, but I personally prefer Colin Dunne's less flamboyant style to Flatley's "I'm the greatest!" style. And Jean Butler is marvellous. The thing that lets the whole thing down and stops me giving it 5 stars is the editing, jumping from whole ensemble to individual to feet alone and back again. As you are dwelling on an aspect of the performance, the scene changes and you're disappointed, because you feel you've missed something. Lingering longer on particular shots and angles is the best way to enjoy dancing, and this ensemble deserves the best editing that there is. Pity it didn't get it.
  
  
• A MUST-OWN for any Serious Lover of Theater
  By AD9WTAOAFUZA4 on 2002-04-25
  By now, "Riverdance" has become an indelible part of popular culture, both exalted as a brilliant one-of-a--kind theatrical experience and exhausted as a concept by copycat companies around the world -- and Las Vegas (think Michael Flatley)! The original Riverdance, however, is a thrilling ride - a lyrical tale of the evolution of dance set against the Irish struggle for Independence. For sheer magic, however, you don't need to be Irish to appreciate the beauty and grace with which this story is told...both in music and dance. Although newer companies may visit your town every year around St. Patty's Day, the original Riverdance is a coup of the human spirit - a dizzying swirl of gosamer feet that seem to lift off the stage. Seeing "Riverdance" in person during its first incarnation was easily one of the top 10 highlights in my own theater loving life. But - instead of splurging for tickets to a sub-par production, I heartily recommend watching this DVD first. That way, you'll experience the magic as it was meant to be experienced and then be able to decide if you really need to see it on stage. Beware of poor imitators like Flatley, whose "Feet of Flames" is a bit over the (narcisistic top) --- just plug in this DVD, crank up the volume, and bear witness to the original one-of-a-kind thrill-ride that IS "Riverdance." I bet you'll find yourself applauding after most of the numbers, and unexpectedly starting a standing ovation in your living room before you even know it! An astounding musical dance work of art!
  
  
• Disappointed
  By A222Q7Q5VM68M4 on 2004-12-27
  I first saw Riverdance on PBS and it was this Version... my sister and I loved it. My father came home one day with the VHS and we used to dance around the house in my mother's high heeled shoes. It has been watched thousands of times, we've had it since 1996. Now the kids that I baby-sit get dressed up and dance to it. It has been showing signs of age, the music is not as clear,the tracking constantly needs to be adjusted, and I dont mind. But for Christmas, my mother took it upon herself and bought me this dvd. I put it in my dvd player this morning and I was not pleased.
  First of all, it is double sided, why?? I have m.f's gold collection and there are two shows on one side!!! why cant they fix this??????
  Next, some of the pictures are out of focus, and it's not my player cause I had it in my other two and my neighbors.
  Why can't I just have the same version I have on my vhs as my dvd?? Same picture, sound, the music over rides their taps in some scenes!
  I dont know what the newer Radio City DVD is like, but I am not at all happy with this one!!!!
  
  
• Pure enjoyment
  By AT07MCR599BVJ on 1999-11-29
  I ordered the DVD just after i saw 'Riverdance-behind the scenes" on TV. never heard of Riverdance before. I was (and still am) amazed and speechless when saw those dancers and what they can do with their feet. I also liked the Irish music. This DVD top quality is the Soundtrack, and if you can get 5 speakers surround soundtrack and even watch the fine video (Although not using the full potential of the DVD medium) - why not take it ?

  Do'nt expect too much of it. there are some "relaxed" scenes - but some scenes will mesmerize you !

  Pure enjoyment !
  
  

• As far as cultured events go this is one of the best.
  By A2KG52O5V6ND8C on 2001-10-19
  Living in the small town of Ohio that I do, I don't get the chance to view alot of culture. But thanks to PBS I was able to watch "Riverdance" for the first time, and I have been hooked ever since. The whole show is good, from the dancing, the music, to the costumes and how they set up the stage. I think the best part is when all the dancers dance all at once. That is so neat. Even if you don't like plays and the ballet, you will enjoy watching this. When they all dance together, it mezmorizes you. Michael Flattley is awesome. What he can do on stage is just so awesome to watch that I was in awe. I recommend all of the Riverdance themes. Each has something different.
  
  
• Must We Choose Just One of the Two?
  By ARA8SJ6IQZ1Q on 2002-12-27
  The Flatley-vs.-Dunne controversy finds us enjoying both versions of the show greatly. Yes, Flatley is more of an extrovert than Colin Dunne; Flatley is a one-of-a-kind performer/choreographer - but that fact doesn't make Dunne chopped liver, and in fact Dunne dances terrifically in this version of the show. (Rightly considered, it is even to Flatley's credit as the creator and "owner" of the show, that "Riverdance" survived his departure.)

  Dunne dances brilliantly, and collaborates very well with Jean Butler. Dunne's reserve is a kind of classical manner, and not at all any lack of "gusto." This is particularly obvious in the sequence which begins as a 'duet' between Maria Pagés and a drummer, and which turns into a trio as Dunne appears in a spotlight. Likewise, the call-&-response of the "Trading Taps" sequence is fabulous; if anyone seeing Dunne dance this, finds him an "empty technician," why, perhaps there is something to be said for "empty technique" after all ....

  Pagés is always a treat, and was always the "third principal" in this show for us. Composer Bill Whelan pulls off some charming sonic feats, by making a small, and mostly Irish-folk-instrument, pit band provide perfectly convincing accompaniments not only for the Irish dance numbers, but for Pagés' brilliant flamenco, and for the (strangely heterogeneous, though this will escape most Western viewers) pan-former-Soviet-Union stuff danced by former members of the Moiseyev Company, a troupe which is internationally renowned for their brilliant folk dancing, folk dancing produced at a level on par with Russian ballet, which of course is one of the great dance traditions on the planet.

  The "choral" sections are our least favorite part of the show. The "behind-the-scenes footage" is little more than a euphemism for a brief commercial for the show, pleasant to watch, of course, but we felt that there was an opportunity missed for much more material of real interest. Yes, the frantic editing is sometimes a distraction (and there are shots which cut out the dancers' feet, and pans from the back of the hall, which could be done without nicely).

  None of these minor complaints, though, seriously detracts from the impact of the show.
  
  

• The Best of All the Riverdance Shows
  By A2K3LM0XBWWS6N on 2005-10-26
  I have seen this particular show several times on video that I rented a few years back. I have never been able to find it anywhere since, in any video store or anywhere else. I have also seen the other Riverdance shows done in New York and Geneva, but this show is by far, the BEST Riverdance show ever! The collaboration of the Riverdance Company, Bill Whelan, Michael Flatley and everyonelse that was involved in this show is just pure magic! As much as I have enjoyed seeing the other Riverdance shows and Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance -- there just seems to be something very special about this show! Hope you will get it reproduced very soon!
  
  
• Viewer from Seattle doesn't know what he/she's talking about
  By on 2000-01-14
  Michael Flatley is NOT the creater of Riverdance. He is credited as the principal choreographer. And while that in itself is a wonderful artistic accomplishment, his arrogance and self-importance makes him enough of a nudnik to justify his being sacked from the show. The results speak for themselves, as Riverdance's popularity has proven that it can flourish and impress audiences around the world without Michael Flatley. As far as the disc goes, it leaves me cold. The storage capability of DVD dictates that this entire show can fit on one side of the disc. They should have done so without having to flip the disc like a lame laserdisc. The sound mix is nothing to write home about, either. It deserves another trip to the studio for further remixing because it sounds too much like a concert bootleg. The original Dublin Cast video was much better done. Although it is billed as Dolby Digital 5.1, there is no ".1" subwoofer track. The show itself would get 5 stars, but the video and audio quality drags it down to 3.
  
  
• If you enjoyed "Riverdance", avoid this version at all costs
  By A13YTA8JWWRZ3Q on 2002-10-04
  The original "Riverdance - The Show" video is fantastic and is a great example of the correct way to present this incredible union of music and inspired dance. In this second video presentation, only the music is given the treatment it deserves. Sadly, the dancing performances suffer painfully from un-watchable frantic editing and inexcusable camera angles.

  This show was filmed at the Radio City Music Hall with many different cameras and the post-production editor seemed determined to use footage from each one as often as possible. During a typical single minute of dance footage, the camera angles may switch up to a dizzying ten times! This horrific visual roller coaster will take you from a tight stage view, back to a mid-audience point of view, further back to a balcony point of view, back up to a tight stage view, swing over to a stage left view, position the main dancer's whole body in view, cut to a view of the orchestra playing, come in close for a very annoying view of the dancers from only the waist up, swing back to a stage right view and zoom in on a few seconds of the dancer's feet. Over and over and over again, often in time with the music, like a crazed artistic MTV music video.

  The seemingly never ending angle changes leave the despondent viewer wishing (screaming!) that the camera would just stop moving so the show can be watched. I can only recommend "Riverdance - Live From New York City" to those who only enjoyed the music from the show and have no interest in the dancing. The hyper-active visuals will only leave a bad taste in the mouths (and a loathing of the editor) of those who wanted to watch the phenomenal dance performance. To this latter group, go buy the original "Riverdance - The Show" and you will be much, much happier.
  
  

• The Best of Riverdance
• The Michael Flatley Collection (Lord of the Dance/Feet of Flames/Michael Flatley Gold)
• Michael Flatley - Lord of the Dance
• Riverdance: Music From The Show
• Jean Butler's Irish Dance Master Class