This documentary features new material and explores the little-known story of Nureyev's years as a ballet student in Leningrad, and then his three years as a soloist with the Kirov and demontrates that, before the West had ever heard of him, Nureyev had achieved star status - on account of both his artistry and his rebellious character. And it screens, for the first time, extraodinary cine-camera footage of him on and off stage of Leningrad.

Also featured in the documentary are highlights from some of his greatest filmed performances in the West, including The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, the Nutcracker, Gayaneh, Bach Fantasia, Le Corsaire, Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Marguerite and Armand and Pierrot Lunaire...