This scene is truly one of the most intense in the history of cinema. I think most people are destined to not understand the heart and soul of this scene. Here are the former lovers Mikhail Baryshnikov and Helen Mirren. He left her behind for the chance of freedom, but he didn't just leave her. He didn't give her the choice of fleeing with him. He left the part of himself that was Russian and the part of himself that came from the best ballet company in the world behind. He also left her to deal with the Russian authorities who were to assume she knew of his plans and perhaps assisted him. In this moment that is ballet which is passionate, violent, and angry, they forgive each other. She forgives him for leaving her behind and he forgives her for judging him for wanting to be free. This is breathtaking.

I saw this movie as a child in the 80's and this scene and this song never left me, when a song and a dance transcends age, continents, cultures and even language and speaks to the heart of a 10yr old Black girl in Texas ,who was going through a lot for child, then that song has become immortal just like the rider in the song. Thank you Mr. Vysotsky and Mr. Baryshnikov🎉🎉🎉

WOW! Vysockiy AND Borishnikov !?!?! Wow! Not even Vodka is THAT Russian, that strong in essence and that intoxicating. What a gem this clip is!! Thank you for putting it up. Sposibo ot dushy!

For years I’ve looked for the precise version of Horses sung by Vysotsky. I find myself coming back to this scene simply to hear it, this version. The song accompanied by Baryshnikov’s performance, purely incredible.

SO powerful. He communicates such anger, pain and frustration with this dance and does it so beautifully.

🇷🇺White🇷🇺Nights🇩🇪Again🇩🇪🇷🇺🇺🇸‼️

Yep. He just pours everything into it doesn't he. I never knew before this scene back in the 80's, that is was possible to scream with your body...

This Dance should be called the "Football Celebration"

Dude mikhail is getting hotter till older…

Mikhail is like soooo...... Wow!!!!! He was 38 doing this dance!!!!! Amazing!!!!!!!!! 😯😯😯

The greatest talent that ever lived from the ballet. And he made it look so easy.

I had SUCH a crush on him in college during the 80’s after this movie. I was an Art student and I painted his portrait in design class.

Very, very few dance numbers can reduce me to tears. This is one.

The Russians totally beat us in the art of dance, they are AMAZING! Nuriyev and Baryshnikov are kings!😎

This is one of my favorite movies that I had to buy it. I love watching Mikhail and Gregory dancing. The best dance duos ever.

Baryshniknov, thank you for this dance. I wanna scream what I feel...like he does

I'm STILL amazed how wonderfully he did all this in a pair of Reebox! INCREDIBLE!

I am crying every time I watch this.

I love this film.. film about freedom... film against control of human lives by the government.. about friendship and love...

Helen Mirren is absolutely gorgeous!!!!