****Excellent ***Good **Fair *Poor : VIDEOCASSETTES

“The Firebird.” Home Vision. $39.95. Half the time, this curious 1979 production by Jean-Yves Landry features shots of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and conductor Charles Dutoit performing Stravinsky’s fabled score. Every so often, however, dance sequences choreographed by Hugo Romero offer a feeble contemporary gloss on the ballet’s original scenario. There’s a languid firebird in a white leotard (Claudia Moore), her bare-chested protector (Louis Robitaille), a lurking, feathered figure of evil (Jean-Marc Lebeau), plus impressionistic special effects galore. Unfortunately, the dancing seldom proves accomplished enough to dominate the silly video excesses. Information: (800) 826-3456 **