George Balanchine's The Nutcracker VHS

This is the best video to introduce young kids to the Nutcracker, in my opinion. It has an un-intrusive narration that helps children understand the story, especially all the "treats" in the second half. Clara (actually Marie in earlier stories, I think) is young enough for the kids to identify with her and be more emotionally invested in the story. It has drama, but is not too dark or scary. It also has Clara/Marie's love-interest-turns-Nutcracker as a boy roughly her own age (Macaulay Culkin, who, frankly does very little dancing and is just fine, neither here nor there to us). Having someone her own age works well, I think, and avoids the creepiness that is in some versions between Clara/Marie and the adult Drosselmeir. It also seems to be the version that actually stays closest to the original Russian folk tale, as far as I can tell. However, in the folk tales, the mouse king disappears when Marie hits him with her slipper, NOT when he is stabbed by the nutcracker-- the whole point is that SHE defends and protects the nutcracker, which she has vowed to do after her brother breaks it in the first act. I wish current ballet productions would go back to that important detail of a bit of empowerment for Marie/Clara; it makes the story make so much more sense.As an aside, our favourite picture book of the story is the Susan Jeffers "the Nutcracker", as it, too, stays closest to the original tale and has really beautiful pictures. It is a great one to give as a gift, if you are looking.

I love it! I love ballet and since I can't do it anymore I can watch it. This is my favorite!

This DVD was spectacular. Neither my husband nor I had ever seen the ballet in its entirety. The story was very clear. We had read an article aboutBalanchine's Nutcracker with New York City Opera in Vanity Fair in December so we were curious and wanted to see it. Not living in NY, buying the DVD was next best. The scenery was absolutely splendid (I was afraid it wouldn't be the stage highlighted in the December article). The dancers were phenomenal, no exceptions. Videoing was also extremely well done. (We have a video of River Dance where every three seconds they changed the angle; what a pain, when you buy it to see the dancing). They did not do that with Nutcracker. Balanchine was a genius and I'm so glad we had a chance to see his version. Of course, the music was awesome, too. It's too bad Tschaikovsky did not live long enough to see it produced or know how the public loves it. We both wanted to stand up and clap when the ballet was over.

A superb version of the famous Tchaikovsky ballet with Kevin Kline narration. It is basically a filming of the New York City Ballet production of the Balanchine version of the tale. A very good staging that kept the attention of my preschoolers and myself. I enjoyed Kline's gentle narration and the numerous skillful dancers.Features McCauley Culkin as the Nutcracker and Prince( and nephew) just as his star was rising. Be prepared for the part when he is transformed from Nutcracker to Prince in a blink of an eye without movie magic- just old fashion stagecraft.

Kudos to the folks at Goodwill Books! Arrived by the due date and DVD was in original wrapping, as promised. As an elementary music teacher, this is one of my "gems" that I share with my students. Balanchine's choreography is presented in all of its glory. I live in B'ham, AL, and our ballet company is one of eight around the world, mind you, who have permission to present this classic. We take a field trip every year! (Well, maybe not "this" year).

With over 60 reviews I doubt if this one is needed. It's too bad that some of the truely great ballets, like "Giselle" get so few reviews. This is a well done ballet with some very good dancing even from the children. Macaulay Caulkin sometimes turns me off with that smirk of his, however. One can tell that these children are well trained, especially the Marie character.The computer animation is also another turnoff as it lacks the spontaneity of a live performance with audience reaction. It goes down as a spectacle instead of a performance. Of course the music was delightful as usual, but the narration during the action is not needed and is detracting unless this is strictly for children, and they do not buy many ballet DVDs. If you are a parent or grandparent buy this for your children.

I purchased this movie for my daughters for Christmas. It was a family favorite when they were kids. The miracle of Christmas... the magic of togetherness and family reminds me of the Christmas I had when I was a child. I think it’s a classic and great viewing.

Great

Une bonne approche pédagogique liée à une bonne qualité esthétique . Grâce au narrateur , les non-initiés à la musique classique et en particulier aux ballets , se sentiront plus à l'aise , profiteront mieux et sentiront plaisir à le voir . J'ai vu une fois à la télévision le même ballet et le narrateur était Gerard Dépardieu , peut-être plus expressif .

Bought this for my granddaughter(age 9) and it was perfect for her age level. The first part of the Nutcracker includes many children dancing while the second part in The Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy involves more adults. The music, scenery, and special effects are well done and the dancing is good. For the price I paid, I enjoyed watching it with my grandchild.

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Enfin un Casse Noisette à la portée des plus jeunes non avertis. Je pense que cette version est une bonne approche de la découverte de l'art chorégraphique. De plus il existe une version francaise car ce ballet est "raconté", ce qui rend sa visualisation si facile.