Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker DVD New

Release Date: December 02, 2008

Release Date: October 20, 2009

Victor Baranov

Director: Emile Ardolino; Stars: Macaulay Culkin; Release Date: October 28, 2008

Dudley Moore

Release Date: October 02, 2001

Stars: Lesley Collier; Release Date: January 28, 2003

Tchaikovsky's timeless Yuletide ballet is presented in an all-new movie version with as much eloquence as one would find in a live stage production. Replete with gorgeous costumes and scenery, George Balanchine's production, adapted by Peter Martins, features the New York City Ballet with narration by Kevin Kline. From the moment the Nutcracker prince winds toymaker Drosselmeier's life-sized dolls, viewers are ushered into the captivating story of a little girl's Christmas Eve fantasy of beauty, magic, and sugarplums. While several versions of this beloved tale are available in video, this one is distinguished for the magnificent performances of a large cast of young ballet dancers from the School of American Ballet. While Culkin lends his star-studded name, that is all he lends in what is mostly a wooden performance (he often appears on the sidelines looking quite blasé and detached). More deserving accolades go to Jessica Lynn Cohen as Marie, whose genuineness never wanes and dance steps never falter. Bart Robinson Cook is wonderful as the playful Herr Drosselmeier, and Darci Kistler is the graceful Sugarplum Fairy. Mostly this film belongs to children--both on the stage and in the audience. What is lacking in spontaneous energy of live theater is made up for in a perfectly polished performance. The only thing missing is the well-earned applause. --Lynn Gibson

Dance legend Mark Morris's cultishly hip reimagining of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker ballet has delighted children, teens, and adults for years; now, the wildly popular stage performance has been effectively and entertainingly translated to the screen.

Nadia Saidakova