While working through revisiting some of my favorite period dramas, I’ve been reminded that one of the best assets of period dramas is the wonder known as the first dance.
RELATED | The Meet Cute: 10 Memorable First Meetings in Film
So much can happen in the space of a first dance. It’s not only a blank masterpiece where a director can produce some of the most beautiful moving symphony of pictures (without actually having to say a thing); it’s also an elegant solution to craft old-fashioned romance.
Productions that benefit the most from this kind of filming are period films, although there are also some stunning contemporary dance scenes. Today, I’d like to look back at some of my personal favorite “first dance” scenes, primarily from the period drama appeal, with a few contemporary scenes thrown in (because they are that sweet and memorable).
12 Memorable First Dances
(In No Particular Order)
#1. Cinderella (2015)
“Believe me, they’re all looking at you.”
Colorful, classy, and magical, in every sense of the word, is what this first dance is made of.
RELATED | Cinderella Film Review – A Magical, Romantic Fairy Tale
#2. Emma (2009)
“Who will you dance with?”
“With you if you will ask me.”
Of all the many adaptations of Jane Austen’s Emma that I have seen, I do believe the 2009 BBC miniseries includes my favorite dance scene between Emma and Mr. Knightley.
#3. Enchanted
The only thing that was a letdown about this scene was Giselle’s dress. I understand the need for costume designers to tame her look after all of the tulle creations she’d worn prior, but still, I think they could have found something with more personality. That being said, the dance (and that music!), the swoons, and the eye lock were gorgeous.
#4. Far from the Madding Crowd (2015)
This is an emotional dance to be sure; perhaps the most emotional on this list. It’s a critical moment for the characters and the audience, which is what makes the quietness of it so captivating.
#5. First Daughter
It may be a contemporary film, but this Katie Holmes movie knows how to create a classy and sweet romantic dance.
#6. The Four Feathers
The way this scene was filmed was breathtaking; it’s elegant with its sea of red uniforms forming a square around the couple, yet lighthearted in the way Esme and Harry playfully perform their dance of honor.
#7. Mansfield Park (1999)
Yes, I realize Fanny Price is a little bit tipsy during this scene, not to mention the dance being primarily with the cad known as Henry Crawford, but she does spend some of the dance with Edmund, and let me tell you, it’s glorious!
#8. Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Passion fueled, to say the least! I adore this interpretation of Lizzie and Darcy’s first dance! Not only is the acting sensational, but the fading away of all the other couples is to be commended on the part of the filmmakers in the editing room.
#9. Return to Cranford
This could perhaps be the least popular or forgotten dance on this list, but I find it, simply put, charming. Plus, it helps that I shipped this pairing, and there’s Tom Hiddleston (in the role of a gentleman, no less!).
#10. The Sound of Music
One word for this sweetheart of a dance: classic!
#11. Stardust
Sweet and charming, this scene is all too short in my opinion. It features Cap. Shakespeare teaches Yvaine how to dance, and though it has no romantic connotation but rather a protective one, her subsequent twirl with the hero, Tristan, certainly does!
TIE #12. War and Peace (2007)
Full of innocence and charm, this scene is a lovely glimpse at Natasha’s infatuation with Andrei.
TIE #12. War and Peace (2016)
Where the 2007 adaptation took on a more whimsical approach (due to Natasha’s character), Andrew Davies opted for a subtly sensual and dreamy tone. Everything about this scene is a masterful bit of television perfection.
RELATED | War and Peace Episode 1 Review – A British Adaptation of Tolstoy’s Masterpiece
#13 Beauty and the Beast (2017)
The couple: The Beast (Dan Stevens) and Belle (Emma Watson)
The scene: To show her that he cares, the Beast prepares a special night for Belle.
Dreamy is the only suitable word for this scene. Visually, it’s straight from the playbook of the 1990s animated Disney film (of the same name), but the emotion and romanticism are “all grown up.”
#14 Becoming Jane
The couple: Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway) and Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy)
The scene: Tom appears on the dance floor to whisk the feisty Jane onto the floor for a spin
RELATED | Classic Romantic Moment: Jane and Tom’s Swoon-Worthy Dance in Becoming Jane
We’ve spotlighted this pretty scene in a romantic moment, so all I’ll say is this: go watch this stunning scene. It’s straight out of Jane’s imagination, a la Pride and Prejudice.
#15 Brooklyn
The couple: Tony (Emory Cohen) and Eilis (Saoirse Ronan)
The scene: Tony spies Eilis across the room at a dance
Though uneventful, this scene is the very definition of charm. Plus, it doesn’t hurt anything that I ship this couple (from this moment on).
RELATED | Romantic Moment of the Week: Brooklyn’s Eilis and Tony
#16 Chesapeake Shores
The episode: Season One, Episode Seven
The couple: Abby O’Brien (Meghan Ory) and Trace (Jesse Metcalfe)
The scene: Trace attempts to create a magical prom night
“I’ve waited sixteen years for this.”
After being left behind before their high school prom, Trace attempts to win Abby over with a magical night of dancing, complete with twinkle lights.
#17 Dance Academy
The episode: Season One, Episode 14
The couple: Christian Reed (Jordan Rodrigues) and Tara Webster (Xenia Goodwin)
The scene: After rescuing Tara, Christian, caught up in the moment, dances with her under the moonlight
I’m breaking the rules for this one. Technically, this is not this couple’s first dance (they’re dance partners at school), but it is in many ways their first dance because, unlike before, this one has an emotional backbone.
#18 Gilmore Girls
The episode: Season Four, Episode 21
The couple: Luke Danes (Scott Patterson) and Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham)
The scene: Luke asks Lorelai to dance at his sister’s wedding.
This scene has very few words attached, but it’s so perfectly Luke and Lorelai that we couldn’t care less.
#19 Jericho
The couple: Johnny and Annie from Jericho.
The scene: Johnny asks Annie for a dance
Under the starlit night, after Annie thanks Johnny for protecting her family, he asks her to dance. In this scene, it’s not difficult to see the emotions play across Johnny’s face. He’s falling deeper in love with the widow whose scars keep her careful.
#20 Once Upon a Time
The episode: Season Three, Episode 21
The couple: Emma (Jennifer Morrison) and Killian aka Hook (Colin O’Donoghue)
The scene: Emma, unimpressed with the prospect of attending a ball, is swept into the charms of the event and Killian’s arms!
My involvement in this show waned (back at season two), but that doesn’t mean I cannot appreciate this sweet scene or the fact that her first impression reaction (to a ball) is “so Emma.”
#21 Safe Haven
The couple: Alex (Josh Duhamel) and Katie (Julianne Hough)
The scene: Alex twirls Katie around in a small hardware store
This scene is everything one could wish for in a “first dance” scene. It’s sweet and romantic, and best of all, full of joy as Katie giggles over Alex’s antics as he whirls her around the tight spaces of a convenience store.
#22 Victoria, Season One (2016)
The couple: Prince Albert (Tom Hughes) and Queen Victoria (Jenna Coleman)
The scene: Victoria and Albert waltz at a ball
Though she’s already smitten, it’s this elegant scene that fully convinces Victoria (and us!!) that she has no other option but to propose to Albert. Her heart is his. In this moment, it’s clear to both her and Albert that they’re “meant to be.”
RELATED | Romantic Moment of the Week: Victoria and Albert
Editorial Note: This list originally consisted of 12 choices and was later combined with a subsequent article (Part 2) to provide a more seamless reading experience.
What “first dance” (or any dance) scenes do you like from cinema or television? Why are they memorable? Comment down below with your thoughts! I’d love to read them.
RELATED: Like this list? You might also enjoy Nine Underrated Romantic Moments in Period Dramas, and visit our Period Drama Review Archives for reviews on amazing period dramas!
Editorial Note: This article is from our contributor archives and has been lightly edited and updated by us. Since 2021, The Silver Petticoat Review has been exclusively written by Amber & Autumn Topping. See About Us.
PIN THIS ARTICLE! AND MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON PINTEREST.
MORE ROMANCE:
Oh goodness I love this!! So many beautiful scenes. Love seeing Cinderella on there (of course) and Emma and Pride and Prejudice! Oh so lovely to see Return to Cranford. 😀
*high five* That scene in “Cinderella” is (to me) the epitome of a dance scene well done! And naturally, I’m all for any Austen “first dance” scene – they’re all so pretty. As for “Return to Cranford,” I was glad to include that one because brief though it is, I think the romance between these two is a lovely story and I really like the scene too. 🙂
So many good scenes! The Stardust one always reminds me of the one in Anastasia as well 🙂 wish i’d added some of these to my favourites! (http://basedonthebook.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/favourite-film-dance-moments.html)
I often think of additional amazing scenes when I write articles like this too, Catherine! Makes me think I need a “part 2!” 😉 Thanks so much for visiting – and for sharing your list! I’m excited to stop by and read your list.
Return to Cranford is definitely underrated and lovely.Great list!
YES! I agree; and it’s such a gorgeous albeit too short dance. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Elinor.