The first part of the film concentrates on the arduous creative and physical demands made upon the dancers. We get a close look at the working methods of the choreographers. In the second part, Frederick Wiseman follows the troupe on a European tour, calling in at Athens and Copenhagen.

Resplendent images of performances are interspersed with images of the ballet dancers in their daily lives. Ballet is Wiseman's ode to the enchanting world of ballet.

With a groundbreaking career spanning seven decades, Frederick Wiseman is one of the great American storytellers. Cinema Expanded - The Films of Frederick Wiseman is a comprehensive season of the documentarian’s work, taking place throughout 2026.