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Poster for Ballet Shoes

Ballet Shoes

Seen it?

2008 | 85 min | Drama, Family

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 6.3 out of 10 from audiences and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for families. If you loved Oliver! or The Secret Garden, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Feel-good.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 25 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG: a parent's death or loss. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

An unusual explorer named Gum and his kindly niece adopt three orphans -- Pauline, Petrova and Posy -- and raise them as sisters in 1930s London. But the girls must fend for themselves when Gum doesn't return from one of his adventures. Together, they nurture their passions for acting, aviation and ballet in this charming TV adaptation of Noel Streatfield's novel.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesBelow par

    6.3 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 45K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Sandra Goldbacher

  • Emilia FoxSylvia Brown
  • Victoria WoodNana
  • Emma WatsonPauline Fossil
  • Yasmin PaigePetrova Fossil
  • Lucy BoyntonPosy Fossil
  • Marc WarrenMr. Simpson
  • Richard GriffithsGreat Uncle Matthew
  • Lucy CohuTheo Dane
  • Gemma JonesDr. Jakes
  • Harriet WalterDr. Smith