"Hutchinson knows how to be both expansive and economical with an expert's confidence and a fan's enthusiasm." --Hannah McGill, Sight & Sound "[Hutchinson is] en pointe on everything from the ballet's ecstatic agony and queer readings to the film's influence, and at her best showing how Shoes frames a key question: 'How far would you go for art?'" --Kevin Harley, Total Film "Unmissable . The Red Shoes employs the slyest wit as it teases out a kaleidoscope of themes in the greatest of all ballet films." --Donald Clarke, The Irish Times "Fans of Powell and Pressburger's tale of artistic obsession will pirouette their way through Pamela Hutchinson's wonderful essay in one sitting. The pocket-sized book is packed with history, anecdotes and a view of the film so en pointe it'll have you jeté-ing back to the screen with fresh eyes." -- Sight & Sound, Books of the Year "Stuffed with insight and background." --Robin Ashenden, The Spectator "The films of Powell and Pressburger continue to hold their power - and this guide to their ballet-based classic coincides with the BFI's expansive season bringing their films back to the big screen. Across 100-plus pages, this paperback delves into the making of the film, and unpicks its thematic resonances.

" -- Empire "An excellent close reading . A record of remarkable artistic freedom made possible for a prolifically imaginative director and writer to cast their spells, enthusiasm and love." -- London Grip "A fascinating examination of Powell and Pressburger's 1948 cinematic masterpiece." -- Choice "If you love The Red Shoes , this is a must-have. If you love cinema. it will affirm your ideas on deeper meanings in the form." -- The Comic Crush.