Robert Helpmann - Tales of Helpmann

This film profiles Sir Robert Helpmann, perhaps Australia’s most flamboyant performer and arguably it’s most versatile.

Hailing from a country town in South Australia at various stages in his career he was a ballet dancer, choreographer, Shakespearian actor, theatre director, opera producer and movie actor.

The film is richly illustrated with rare footage and stills from his, ballets, stage performances and feature films including ‘Tales of Hoffman’, ‘The Red Shoes’, ‘The Display’, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’, ‘The Merry Widow’ and ‘Antony and Cleopatra’. These are interspersed with interviews from Helpmann himself, and the people who knew and worked with him and who had great admiration for his abilities while recognising his formidable personality. These include Dame Margot Fonteyn, Dame Ninette de Valois, dame Alicia Markova, Malcolm Williamson, Sheila Helpmann, Jeremy Brett, Moira Shearer, Keith Michell, Stewart Grainger and Maina Geilgud.

Nominated for an ‘International Emmy’ New York