Nutcracker

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source: Nutcracker

This is MGM's film version of composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's famous ballet, The Nutcracker, filmed at Burbank Studios in California. I would watch this movie when it is aired on TV during Christmas time for several years in a role. It tells the story of Clara dreaming about her Nutcracker Prince while The Pasha tries to win her heart and delight her with musical dance sequences - Spanish Dance, Arab Dance, Chinese Dance, Russian Dance, Dance of the Clowns and Waltz of the Flowers. These sequences are probably the highlight of the entire Nutcracker Ballet. Except for the narrator, there is no spoken dialog in the movie. It is just the cast of characters dancing around the huge stage through Tchaikovsky's rich music, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Maurice Sendak did a terrific job on the art and costume design - vibrant and brilliant and not too flashy. The story is told through the unspoken actions of the cast, which I thought were brilliantly done. While no dialog, it is still pretty simple to follow the story, even if you are not familiar with the original concept of the Nutcracker Ballet. Though a majority of the movie is shown on a typical theater stage, the special and visual effects made the setting much larger than it really is and it gives you the impression you are right on stage with them. The water scene with the "floating ship" is my favorite effect. I also like how the entire movie is told from the perspective of the toymaker; the plot of the movie begins after he falls asleep on his desk and the figurines begin to dance in a large music box he just designed, which then leads to the main story. The only problem I have with the movie is that some of the dancers were not in sync with the music, especially during the "Waltz of the Flowers" sequence. Other that that, this is an overall terrific film that brings back the nostalgia and spirit of past Christmases and today. Grade A

The biggest shame of this motion picture production of the Nutcracker Sweet is that it hasn't come to DVD or Blu Ray yet. Of all the other versions commenced to film, this is the only one you'll find that stays true to the original. You see, the version that most people are familiar with has suffered from having its entire second act greatly watered down to the point of where it has become ballet for the sake of ballet, which wasn't the case at all. Bits and pieces of the original's first act subtly suggest that Uncle Drosselmeier is inappropriately sweet on young Clara. Not overtly, but it's there. The second act then becomes a battle between Drosselmeier and the Nutcracker Prince to see who can impress her the most with the dances and spectacles they put on for her entertainment, both hoping to be the winner of her affections. Of course the Nutcracker Prince wins in the end, so nothing inappropriate or incestuous happens. But given her uncle's somewhat more overt overtures, most directors play it safe and yank the entire story behind the ballet of the second act to make it more family-friendly, hence why other versions are usually what they appear to be; ballet for the sake of ballet, forsaking any continuation of the story except for the prince and Clara living happily ever after in the end. The version put on by the Pacific Ballet Company captures The Nutcracker the way it was intended to be seen in this production. And contrary to how it may seem at first blush from the description above, it does not come across as creepy or inappropriate at all. Quite the contrary; the movie's feel is as romantic as it is entertaining and even humorous in places. All the restored second act does is affirm that though the Rat King may have been the protagonist of the first act, it is Herr Drosselmeier who is the true villain of the story trying to keep our two love-smitten leads apart so he can have Clara for himself, though ultimately in the end it is Clara's choice. Drosselmeier's bid for her affections is rejected and she and the Nutcracker Prince dance in celebration of their new found union, both living happily ever after... or do they? Personally, I absolutely LOVE this version. I love it so much that every year about this time I start shopping around on the Internet to see of a DVD copy can be found... and every year I'm disappointed to see that it just isn't out there. My commitment to getting a fresh copy of Nutcracker the Motion Picture is so strong, should it be released on Blu Ray instead, I will go out and buy a Blu Ray player just so I can enjoy this film the same day. But as I said in the beginning, one of the studio's powers-that-be had decided not to have Nutcracker The Motion Picture be produced in any modern medium. And given that the old VHS tapes have aged and eroded, as it stands now (October 3, 2009), your best bet to catch this is around Christmas time on basic cable, (I give it a 15% chance that Encore will carry it), and even then you'd best keep an eye out for it because it will only air once or twice that year.

Thinking of all the great productions of The Nutcracker I've seen, I thought back to see if there was one I'd forgotten from childhood. I realised I had, this film version by Carroll Ballard, responsible for directing the brilliant Black Stallion. I knew I wanted to see it again, as I love the ballet so much- the story and ballet are among my all-time favourites in regard to anything- and would watch any production or film version. I was intrepid though as well, as I remembered that it was quite dark, darker than the usual production of The Nutcracker. And unfortunately not all the productions that take a darker edge have been particularly good, Maurice Bejart's production was a self-indulgent mess and the 2008 Mariinsky one was incoherent and ugly managing to waste the talented performers. But I watched Ballard's film version anyway for the first time since I was 10, in two minds of what to expect, and I am glad I did. Whether it is the best version of The Nutcracker I am not sure, seeing how much I love the 1977, 1985, 1989, 2001 and 2009 productions. But it is for me the most underrated one, and a long way from the worst. Considering some of the reviews I'd read beforehand(Ebert, Maltin, RadioTimes) I was expecting it to be bad. But it wasn't. It is as dark as I remembered, as well as quite serious with some sexual tension perhaps in the mix. But unlike Bejart and Mariinsky, this dark approach is actually cohesive and come to think of it the Hoffmann story has some dark elements anyhow. The more somewhat sensual chemistry between Clara and Drosselmeyer in the party scene is not going to please everybody, I am not sure myself. But compared to everything else, it is something I could ignore easily. The sets and costumes do look stunning, those of the second act of the ballet have many vivid colours. Ballard's editing has been much criticised, I think overly-complicated was how it was described, true maybe there are a few too many shots of dancers' limbs but overall it didn't interfere that much with the dancing. Speaking of the dancing, aided by the truly magical choreography(some of the best I've seen for any production of The Nutcracker), it is impeccable, not only does it look so elegant and graceful but the dancers don't forget to emote. The Pas-De-Deux brought tears to my eyes, the party scene is joyous with a very Christmassy feel and the divertissments in the second act are characterfully danced. The dialogue is only in the narration, and I was really impressed by how colourfully and affectingly the story was told without words spoken, narration excepted. The narration is thoughtfully delivered also. Summing up, not all my childhood favourites have held up, most have and this is one of them. While not my favourite Nutcracker ever it is an underrated one and much better than I'd heard it was. I'm glad that other people have a fondness for it also. 9/10 Bethany Cox

I am one of the few people that saw this in the theater. The Ballet "Nutcracker" was very expensive to see. I was 21 and I wanted to take my niece & nephew to see it but 3 tickets would have cost about $80 back in 1986. (Around $140 in 2017 Dollars). So I saw this film being advertised in the paper. 3 tickets for this film was $12.00 and it was money well spent. Also we were only the only 3 in the cinema. I have never seen this play before. I did not know the story. So I was like a child at Disneyland watching this. The costumes were nice bright & beautiful. The sound was an experience unto itself. I loved this film. It was not a bore. It was just a treat for the senses. Years later I bought this on DVD and was shocked that the film looked so colorless. This film may not have been filmed in technicolor but it was a beautiful looking film. What is not out on DVD looks like the film was shot in VHS. MGM owns this film. Since they have never released it on blu-ray I hope maybe someday that SHOUT FACTORY will. If not them then KINO LORBER or Olive Films. This is the type of release that those companies specialize in!

My parents found this movie in a used bin at a video store and bought it when I was about 3 or 4 years old. I'm 17 years old now (almost 18), and this movie has a special place in my heart. We've watched it so many times that it's beginning to wrinkle, so we can only watch it once a year - at Christmas. The sets are superb and brilliant in the way they created the 'different worlds'. The London Symphony Orchestra do a beautiful job, as usual! This movie is responsible for the best presentation of the Tchaikovsky music masterpiece. The ballet sequences are beautiful, graceful, and contemporary. The Pacific Northwest Ballet does an absolutely beautiful job! I've seen other versions of Nutcracker, but this is the best above all of the others. The scene of 'Pas de Duex' used to wrench my heart out as a child, almost moving me to tears. Now that I'm older...it has not changed. The passion between the two characters is absolutely breath-taking! No only can the Pacific Northwest Ballet dance like a dream, but their facial expressions are wonderful, professional, and very moving! I highly recommend this version of "The Nutcracker" to everyone!

I feel great pity for those who have only been able to see this on film, and for the fact that this film is not available on tape or even better DVD. Living only 12 miles from the Seattle Opera House where this particular production is staged each year (to sell out houses) I have seen it both ways. The film has very few effects which don't exist on the stage so when you are seeing the film you are seeing the stage show. As for the story line, this version holds the closest to the original story of any version I have ever seen, and I've seen quite a few. Truly this is a film to be treasured and shared and hopefully the owners of the film will realize this and make it available to the general public once again.

This is the version of the Nutcracker that I grew up watching, and fell in love with. I loved its dark undertones and its creepy aesthetic, and as an adult I can appreciate the psychology behind the production. It seems some people are put off by the darker aspects of this interpretation, but I guess it's all what you're used to; after becoming accustomed to this version, other versions made me recoil with their saccharine cuteness. If you are looking for a strict ballet performance, this might not be the film for you, as it is first and foremost a dramatic film--think of it as a fantasy movie with dance in place of dialogue. The attention to detail and the deliberate choices in the casting, costumes and props are all wonderful, as are Maurice Sendak's sets. Again, this is a somewhat off-beat interpretation of the story, and does not ever get very sugary, but its multifaceted, complex and provocative imagery is definitely pretty sweet.

This is an absolutely magnificent filmed production of The Nutcracker. I would dare to say that it even surpasses the great Baryschnikov's (sp?) production, which had only one thing truly going for it that this doesn't have - him. The dancing is gorgeous, the costumes and sets are designed by the great Maurice Sendak, and the narration is provided by the fine actress Julie Harris. And the music, of course, is classic. We started out taping this off TV, but then I discovered Amazon and was lucky enough to be able to find a couple of used VHS copies for sale. I don't know if it can still be found on tape now, but if not, you owe it to yourself this holiday season to search this out on TV. You are in for a treat you will want to make a yearly tradition! Cheers.