White Nights
Two men. Not soldiers. Not heroes. Just dancers. Willing to risk their lives for freedom-and each other.
1985 • 136 min • Drama · Thriller
Synopsis
After his plane crashes in Siberia, a Russian dancer, who defected to the West, is held prisoner in the Soviet Union. The KGB keeps him under watch and tries to convince him to become a dancer for the Kirov Academy of Ballet again. Determined to escape, he befriends a black American expatriate and his pregnant Russian wife, who agree to help him escape to the American Embassy.
Our family guide
Best from age 13- 67 Audience · 148 · 100%
An American dancer whose plane crashes in Soviet territory is held captive by the KGB. He schemes with an American expatriate and his Russian wife to escape, hoping to return to the West. The film explores themes of freedom and artistic expression against a Cold War backdrop.
- Violence & peril
- 3/10
- Language
- 2/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 3/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 2/10
- Scary moments
- 4/10
Heads up
- Cold War politics and espionage
- Scenes of implied torture and threats
- Some peril and emotional tension
What it models well
- The pursuit of freedom
- The power of artistic expression
- Cross-cultural cooperation
Talk about it after
- What it means to live under political oppression
- The sacrifices made for personal liberty
- The role of art during difficult times
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for White Nights. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
Where to watch
Stream
- Howdy Amazon Channel
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- The Roku Channel
- YouTube Free
- Tubi TV
The Roku Channel
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- YouTube
- Fandango At Home
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At HomeBuy
- Amazon Video
- Apple TV Store
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube
- Fandango At Home
Links go straight to each service. Some are affiliate links that support Movie Knight at no cost to you. Availability data by JustWatch via TMDB.
Top billed cast
Director: Taylor Hackford • Crew: Eric Hughes, James Goldman, James Goldman
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Nikolai 'Kolya' Rodchenko
Gregory Hines
Raymond Greenwood
Jerzy Skolimowski
Colonel Chaiko
Helen Mirren
Galina Ivanova
Geraldine Page
Anne Wyatt
Isabella Rossellini
Darya Greenwood
John Glover
Wynn Scott
Stefan Gryff
Captain Kirigin
William Hootkins
Chuck Malarek
Shane Rimmer
Ambassador Larry Smith
Trailers & clips
Trailer
White Nights 1985 TV trailer
Reviewer notes
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Gallery
Details
- TMDB audience
- 6.7/10 (148)
- Age rating
- PG-13
- Status
- Released
- Box office
- $42,160,849
- IMDb
- tt0090319
