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White Nights

  • 19851985
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 16m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
7.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines in White Nights (1985)
Trailer for White Nights
Play trailer2:04
2 Videos
35 Photos
  • Drama
  • Music

A Russian American ballet dancer's airplane is forced to land in USSR, where he's "repatriated". He stays with an American man married to a Russian. Will the American help him flee USSR?A Russian American ballet dancer's airplane is forced to land in USSR, where he's "repatriated". He stays with an American man married to a Russian. Will the American help him flee USSR?A Russian American ballet dancer's airplane is forced to land in USSR, where he's "repatriated". He stays with an American man married to a Russian. Will the American help him flee USSR?

IMDb RATING
6.6/10
7.4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Taylor Hackford
  • Writers
    • James Goldman(screenplay)
    • Eric Hughes(screenplay)
    • Nancy Dowd(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Mikhail Baryshnikov
    • Gregory Hines
    • Jerzy Skolimowski
Top credits
  • Director
    • Taylor Hackford
  • Writers
    • James Goldman(screenplay)
    • Eric Hughes(screenplay)
    • Nancy Dowd(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Mikhail Baryshnikov
    • Gregory Hines
    • Jerzy Skolimowski
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 48User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
    • 46Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 3 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos2

    White Nights
    Trailer 2:04
    White Nights
    White Nights
    Trailer 4:01
    White Nights

    Photos35

    Timothy Hutton at an event for White Nights (1985)
    Judd Nelson at an event for White Nights (1985)
    Cher and Gregory Hines at an event for White Nights (1985)
    Debbie Allen at an event for White Nights (1985)
    Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines in White Nights (1985)
    Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines in White Nights (1985)
    Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines in White Nights (1985)
    White Nights (1985)
    Helen Mirren in White Nights (1985)
    Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines in White Nights (1985)
    Isabella Rossellini and Mikhail Baryshnikov in White Nights (1985)
    Gregory Hines in White Nights (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mikhail Baryshnikov
    Mikhail Baryshnikov
    • Nikolai 'Kolya' Rodchenkoas Nikolai 'Kolya' Rodchenko
    Gregory Hines
    Gregory Hines
    • Raymond Greenwoodas Raymond Greenwood
    Jerzy Skolimowski
    Jerzy Skolimowski
    • Colonel Chaikoas Colonel Chaiko
    Helen Mirren
    Helen Mirren
    • Galina Ivanovaas Galina Ivanova
    Geraldine Page
    Geraldine Page
    • Anne Wyattas Anne Wyatt
    Isabella Rossellini
    Isabella Rossellini
    • Darya Greenwoodas Darya Greenwood
    John Glover
    John Glover
    • Wynn Scottas Wynn Scott
    Stefan Gryff
    • Captain Kiriginas Captain Kirigin
    William Hootkins
    William Hootkins
    • Chuck Malarekas Chuck Malarek
    Shane Rimmer
    Shane Rimmer
    • Ambassador Smithas Ambassador Smith
    Florence Faure
    • Ballerina (Death)as Ballerina (Death)
    David Savile
    • Pilotas Pilot
    Ian Liston
    • Co-Pilotas Co-Pilot
    Benny Young
    • Flight Engineeras Flight Engineer
    Hilary Drake
    • Stewardess Ias Stewardess I
    Megumi Shimanuki
    • Stewardess IIas Stewardess II
    Daniel Benzali
    Daniel Benzali
    • Dr. Asheras Dr. Asher
    Maria Werlander
    • Child Ballerinaas Child Ballerina
    • Director
      • Taylor Hackford
    • Writers
      • James Goldman(screenplay) (story)
      • Eric Hughes(screenplay)
      • Nancy Dowd(uncredited)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    An expatriate Russian dancer is on a plane forced to land on Soviet territory. He is taken to an apartment in which a black American, who has married a Russian woman, lives with her. He is to become a dancer for the Kirov Academy of Ballet again, but he wishes to escape, but can he trust the American? —John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
    • russia
    • ballet
    • kgb
    • soviet union
    • defector
    • 25 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A whole new motion picture experience is on the horizon.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Music
    • Certificate
      • PG-13
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Mikhail Baryshnikov reportedly was insistent with the producers that gramatically-correct Russian be spoken in this movie instead of the often nonsensical hybrid often used in American movies. Baryshinkov also did a scene where he spoke French. In real life, it was his second language.
    • Goofs
      The aircraft in the opening sequences has antennas on the wingtips when in the air, but not when on the ground. See also the trivia entry.
    • Quotes

      Colonel Chaiko: Modern man is so confused, Raymond. Finally, it's much better to work in the theater... than in a mine.

    • Alternate versions
      The UK cinema release was cut by 16s to remove two uses of 'fuck' to earn a PG rating. Subsequent video versions restore the strong language and raise the certificate to 15.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Holcroft Covenant/Bring on the Night/Target (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      Separate Lives
      (Love Theme)
      Written by Stephen Bishop
      Produced by Arif Mardin, Phil Collins, and Hugh Padgham
      Performed by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
      Courtesy of Atlantic Records and Virgin Records

    User reviews48

    Review
    Top review
    Ahhhh... The dance...
    Forget about the plot: in this post-Soviet era (and even during that era), such a blatant praise of "Western values" is way too much of a cliché to be enjoyable.

    Forget about the acting. It is well played, considering the plot.

    Just concentrate on the dancing. Inspired. Passionate. The opening sequence by itself is a pure gem. And the tap dance number with Baryshnikov and Hines. And the solo number by Baryshnikov in the theater. And...

    You get the picture.
    helpful•15
    5
    • Francois-5
    • May 15, 2002

    FAQ12

    • What is 'White Nights' about?
    • Is 'White Nights' based on a book?
    • To what does the title 'White Nights' refer?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 6, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Sony Moive Channel (United States)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • White Nights - Nacht der Entscheidung
    • Filming locations
      • Helsinki, Finland
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • New Visions
      • Delphi IV Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $42,160,849
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $477,539
      • Nov 24, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $42,160,849
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 16 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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