Torvill And Dean - The Story So Far [1996]

We go right back to their childhood’s, as they both describe their first steps onto the ice, and it documents how with such lucky foresight they were put together, where they would then gel as a unit and move forward as a couple whose immaculate timing, mirroring of each others moves and creativity has never been matched. Their history together is charted through the 1980s with their rise to World Championship wins and then to their competitive peak at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympic games. We then follow them beyond that to a decade of touring the world in shows, where they continually reinvented their image with new and bold choreography and drama; and then their return to competitive skating at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics, before seeing them turn once more to their shows, where the freedom both to choreograph without restrictions and perform not to judges but simply for appreciative audiences, provides them still with new opportunities to shine.

We are treated to extensive footage including black and white shots of them as children, and newsreel footage, as well as the complete competitive performances of Bolero, Mac and Mabel, Barnum, Let’s Face the Music and Dance, and many more. Professional programmes shown include the tap dancing sensation that is Fred and Ginger, the sublime Song of India and hilarious Hat Trick, to name just a few.

‘Torvill and Dean’: they go as well together as strawberries and cream and if you ask any person on the street to name someone from the sport of figure skating, that is very probably what they will say, such has been the impact of this remarkable couple. This video shows you why.


Torvill & Dean - The Story So Far   March 5, 2006
39 out of 39 found this review helpful

This is the best Torvill & Dean video out! All the rest pale into insignificance - I should know, I have them all! This video has all my personal favourites including: Mac & Mabel, Barnum, Bolero, Encounters, Missing, Summer Time, Face the Music, Rumba, Song of India and many more.


Excellent! Shows them at their best!!!   May 20, 2001
38 out of 44 found this review helpful

An excellent video...shows performances rarely seen from their professional career, it's worth buying just to see them!!! An essential for all T&D fans!!! I'd give it 10 stars if I could!!!!


Absolute blinder of a video, not a disappointment   February 28, 2007
Paulyb (Ruislip, UK)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I deferred buying a T&D video because I read so many negative reviews of DVDs and videso alike, but this one hits the spot. For those of you non-skating experts, this relives the rise of Torvill and Dean, and reignites the national pride we all felt in the 1980s, and hasn't been equalled since. Also, the linking narration and interviews with Torvill & Dean is done very well, 100% is done by T&D, no voiceover actors here.

Don't be put off by the VHS format, remember, the broadcast quality in the 1980s was poor, but I doubt DVD would fair better, except for sound quality. This really doesn't need to be in Dolby 5.1, stereo, or HD picture format either, the spectacle is in the content and choreography that the T&D team excelled at. Although I have a big DVD collection of action movies and sci-fi, this T&D video is a real gem in my library.


Fantastic!   January 26, 2007
S. Tinkler
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I bought this VHS after reading a previous review. I was not disappointed! It was fantastic to see their performances at the European, World and Olympics (1984). But I was mesmorised to see their performances after they turned professional after their success at the Olympics in 1984. Absolutely fantastic! I would definitely recommend this!