What a waste of my time!!!

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

If you are only interested in ballet and not storyline or sets or costumes, then watch this version. Otherwise, it looks like a high-school production with crudely painted backdrops and lackluster costumes. There is no narration and you can't tell there is a story line, just people dancing around on a stage. Drosselmyer is an expressionless drone. The Spanish Hot Chocolate Performers are indistinguishable from the Arabian Coffee Performers who are indistinguishable from the Chinese Tea Performers who are indistinguishable from the Russian Candy Cane Performers who are indistinguishable from the Danish Marzipan Shepherdess Performers. For a great visual performance of this ballet, see Nutcracker: The Motion Picture.

While other film and video productions of the Tchiakovsky classic emphasize pageantry, amazing sets, and holiday warmth, the American Ballet Theater's `Nutcracker' concentrates on strong dancing and intricate choreography. There is consequently much to adore in this production. Gelsey Kirkland, at the prime of her career, and before her drug addiction and battle with anorexia tragically destroyed her dancing talent, plays Clara as a young girl who matures over the course of the ballet. As such, Baryshnikov's version is less a story of a young girl's Christmas dream, and more a coming-of-age tale.The party scene of `The Nutcracker' is usually a showcase for the children's classes of a ballet company. The Balanchine version, for example, does not really employ any serious dancing until the Waltz of the Snowflakes; most of the first act features children mulling about with their presents. Baryshnikov chose instead to concentrate on adult dancers, turning the Drosselmayer gift sequences in particular into amazingly intricate, well-danced pieces. The Moorish dance stands out as one of the finest, most exciting dances ever to be caught on film.Unfortunately, this production does have a few weaknesses. The dancers reportedly complained that the television set where it was filmed was too cramped, and that the soundtrack was too slow. Indeed, the sound throughout is awful; there are many more vibrant recordings of the music that could have been used. These dancers are professionals used to working with a live orchestra, and they seem confined by the canned music. The sets are unspectacular and washed-out, making this version perhaps the least exciting for young children; both the NYC Ballet and the Sendak version are more visually stimulating.Still, for fans of serious dance, this version must be seen. It is still a thrill to watch Baryshnikov and Kirkland perform.

(Note: Some things that could possibly be construed as spoilers contained in this review. But since there is no great suspense involved as the story and music are well known, I fail to see why this is of import.) As a great ballet fan, I find myself compelled to comment on this particular piece of work. I shall start with the positive. The music is particularly nice, and I was very gratified to notice that the director didn't tamper with Tchaikovsky's arrangement of things. The orchestration is beautiful and it is fun just to listen to. The costumes are something to see, especially the fantastic Christmas party scene in the beginning. The grand waltz at the party is my favorite bit and is very well choreographed. The big advantage of this film is that it was intended to be a movie, not a filmed live production. Therefore you get some interesting camera angles, etc.Now into the negative. I find the woman playing Clara to be utterly repulsive. She is a grown woman trying to play a little girl and her facial expressions and mannerisms are enough to turn one's stomach. She moves like a mechanical doll, and most definitely in the pejorative sense. Clara is always dangerously close to being a spoiled, vapid brat, but this rendition clinches the matter. Her relationship with Drosselmeyer comes across as semi-incestuous, particularly as he re-appears at the end and forcibly draws her away from the Nutcracker Prince. And my most violent objection is that the marvelous, gorgeous Arabian dance is completely deleted. They simply took it out, a circumstance which enraged me as it is my favorite number. I find this to be inexcusable.So, get it to watch the party scene (the dances with the dolls are quite marvelous), and forget the rest.

The Nutcracker was shown on PBS for years...and I loved it. When it first came out I was 9 years old, and now I am 31. I thought this rendition of the Nutcracker was the most excellent piece that I have ever seen. I have seen other Nutcracker ballets, but nobody can touch this classic. Nobody can beat the pairing gracefulness and power of Mikhail Baryshnikov portraying the Nutcracker Prince and Gelsey Kirkland portraying Clara. After seeing this for the first time I wanted to become a ballerina. The ballet crew, music, and props were outstanding. You got very caught up in the story. I was very upset when PBS didn't show this anymore. It was a tradition every year for me and my family to watch. >