The Red Shoes

During the London premiere of Heart of Fire, Julian Craster realises his professor has plagiarised his compositions. He furiously walks out, stunned by the betrayal. This act foreshadows the coming battles over artistic ownership and ambition.

Lady Neston hosts an after-party in honor of Ballet Lermontov's impresario Boris Lermontov. Victoria 'Vicky' Page tells Boris that dancing is the most important thing in her life. Boris invites her to spend time with the company on its Paris tour.

Boris watches Vicky lead in Swan Lake with Ballet Rambert at the Mercury Theatre and hires her full-time. Her talent earns her a rapid rise within Ballet Lermontov. This marks the start of Vicky's ascent and Julian's new role at the heart of the company.

Angrily, Julian writes a letter to Boris exposing his professor's misconduct. He intends to reveal the plagiarism and jeopardize the professor's career. The act sets the stage for Boris's later sympathy and protection.

Julian has a change of heart and travels to Boris to take back the letter. Boris has already read it and responds with sympathy toward the young artist. He hires Julian as répétiteur and assistant to the company's conductor.

In Paris, Ballet Lermontov's principal dancer Irina Boronskaya is required to leave the company upon marrying, per policy. Boris justifies the move as professional discipline, yet the film hints that his jealousy of others' happiness motivates him. The policy exposes the personal tensions behind the troupe's decisions.

The company proceeds to Monaco; in Irina's absence, Boris casts Vicky as the lead in a new ballet, The Ballet of the Red Shoes, and hires Julian to score it. The ballet features a pair of red shoes that grant superhuman dancing—at the cost that the wearer cannot stop dancing until death. Julian and Vicky's ambitions begin to collide with Boris's control.

During rehearsals, Julian and Vicky's initial clash over ambition and pride gives way to a growing respect for each other's artistry. Boris watches with glee as their talents align, signaling his increasing influence over their careers. The personal dynamics intensify as art and control collide.

The Ballet of the Red Shoes is a resounding success, reviving the company's repertoire with Vicky as prima ballerina and Julian as its star composer. Julian and Vicky fall in love, but Boris remains emotionally possessive and wary of losing control over his new star.

Boris gives Julian an ultimatum: break up with Vicky or leave the company. Julian and Vicky decide to marry and relocate to London, while Boris rehires Irina but cannot let go of Vicky. The tension between love and art deepens.

Back in London, Julian's opera is set to open at Covent Garden while Vicky's ballet career stalls. Vicky travels to Cannes for a holiday, where Boris encounters her and reminds her of the sacrifices she has made. He pressures her to put on the Red Shoes again.

The opening night of Julian's opera in London falls on the same date as Vicky's comeback in Monaco. Julian leaves for Monaco as a grand gesture to support her and insists she cancel her performance and come away with him. Vicky refuses, choosing to stay with Ballet Lermontov.

An attendant announces that Miss Page is unable to dance tonight as Vicky, wearing the Red Shoes, grows faint. She runs toward the stage and jumps in front of an oncoming train, paralleling her ill-fated character in the ballet. Julian rushes to save her but cannot.

Boris announces that Miss Page cannot dance tonight, and the company performs The Ballet of the Red Shoes with a spotlight on the empty space where she would have danced. The spectacle underscores the price of ambition and the tragedy of love sacrificed for art.