A combination of story, melodrama and ballet sets the stage for some of Stravinsky's most brilliant music. This terrific film adaption of The Soldier's Tale offers rare footage of the Royal Ballet's Svetlana Beriosova, who performs in an extended dance sequence towards the story's end. Meanwhile, Robert Helpmann is in his element as the Devil, being the natural choice to play the eight different roles of the Devil using his brilliant talent for mime, dance and acting. Actor Brian Phelan does a fine job as the hapless soldier.—Vintagepointe