(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.
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.