World's Young Ballet

In 1969, the Moscow International Competition of Ballet Artists played host to some of the dance world's most legendary names. Twenty-one-year-old Mikhail Baryshnikov performs "La Bayadere" and a solo from Leonid Jakobson's "Vestris," while Ludmila Semenyaka dances a scene from "Giselle" and a modern jazz piece. Judging the competition are dance notables Agnes DeMille and Alicia Alonso and composer Aram Khachaturian.

Directed by Arkadi Tsineman, World's Young Ballet leans on a strong ensemble — Mikhail Baryshnikov, Agnes de Mille, Maya Plisetskaya — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 1969.