The Nutcracker / Baryshnikov, Kirkland, Charmoli

Directed by Tony Charmoli
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The Nutcracker marked the initial choreographic effort of Baryshnikov, universally hailed as one of the world’s greatest dancers. Under Baryshnikov’s inventive direction, the traditionally lighthearted story of a small girl’s dream on Christmas Eve is transformed into a more complex theatrical experience. Broadcast regularly on PBS, this American Ballet Theatre performance (directed in the studio by Tony Charmoli) stars Gelsey Kirkland as Clara and Mikhail Baryshnikov at the peak of his artistic ability as the Prince/Nutcracker.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #995 in DVD
  • Released on: 2004-09-28
  • Rating: NR (Not Rated)
  • Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Formats: Classical, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
  • Original language: English
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Running time: 78 minutes
The American Ballet Theater version of the Tchaikovsky classic, a 1977 studio rendition directed by Tony Charmoli, has become a holiday perennial on PBS stations and home video. It's a favorite of parents who want to give their kids the gift of culture--and with good reason. There's a loose fairy tale plot to keep dance neophytes interested, and Boris Aronson's eye-candy production design is a series of lavish dioramas. From an imperial-era Russian Christmas party out of Tolstoy, a young girl named Clara (Gelsey Kirkland) is whisked in dreams to an imaginary world populated by the animated creations of the wizard toy maker Drosselmeier (Alexander Minz), who prances on his stick-thin limbs like a Dickens illustration come to life. The main attraction is, of course, Mikhail Baryshnikov, one of the greatest classical dancers of the century, at his absolute peak of athleticism and precision. An opening slow-motion montage diagrams his fabled smoothness of execution, elegant airborne trajectories that have a feather-light perfection. Music lovers who know only "The Nutcracker Suite" will relish the chance to hear this great score all the way through, conducted with lilt and vigor by Kenneth Schermerhorn. --David Chute

Customer Reviews

Not for HD4
The American Ballet Theatre DVD has great music and dancing but it was not produced for HD in 1977. If picture quality is important, I suggest purchasing the more modern 2008 San Francisco ballet production. The SF choreography has far more charm than the dark ABT version. Nevertheless, one cannot top Kirkland's dancing with Baryshnikov.

Love It!4
First of all, as a dancer from a family of dancers, I really don't care about how/why/costume/sound/story/etc - I will never tire of watching Baryshnikov dance. Paired here with a prima ballerina who can keep up with him, as Kirkland can, it's even better. Just for the sake of the dancing, I love this rendition.

Second, I do realize the interaction between Nutcracker/Clara/Drosselmeier can seem a bit twisted, but when watching this as a young adult, I figured Uncle Dross was just getting upset because Clara was falling for this fantasy guy. As an adult, I believe it can still be argued that he is protective and is trying to wake Clara from a dream that has gotten out of control. She doesn't want to leave the dream, or the prince, and he is trying to help her. It doesn't have to be smutty, but you can see how that interpretation can be made.

On the downside, the original recording in 1977 had its flaws that can't be or haven't been "fixed" - the music can sound flat (hard to do with Tchaikovsky!) and the focus is blurry and bit blue-tinged. But it's always been that way, even years ago on TV, so it doesn't bother me (I've loved this version for a long time).

If you love the dancing or Tchaikovsky's entire score and have no strong feelings for Baryshnikov, this probably isn't the version for you. But if you want to see some ballet that will leave you breathless, or just love Baryshnikov, this is the one!

Magical!5
Is the best word to describe it. I was obsessed with this ballet when I was a little girl. I had it on VHS and completely wore out the tape. It wasn't until a couple years ago that I decided to search for it on Amazon and was so thrilled to find it. I bought it instantly and now I watch it about twice a week. There's just something about it that I can't get enough of. I'm going to see the stage version next week for the first time since I was five and I'm nervous that I've spoiled myself with Baryshnikov!

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