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Online Store - Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker (American Ballet Theatre)
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List Price: $9.94
Our Price: $10.00
Your Save: $ ( % )
Availability: N/A
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
Starring: Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gelsey Kirkland, Alexander Minz, Victor Barbee, Warren Conover
Directed By: Tony Charmoli
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786301971539
Format: Classical
ISBN: 6301971531
Label: MGM (Video & DVD)
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: MGM (Video & DVD)
Release Date: 1993-12-23
Running Time: 78
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Theatrical Release Date: 1977-12-16
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Editorial Reviews:
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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
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: For Amelie
Comment: Amelie loves ballet so I got this for her for Christmas. It's a classic she will grow to love.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Not for HD
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Love It!
Comment: 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!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Magical!
Comment: 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!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Exquisite
Comment: I am a dancer and ballet is my favorite type of dance. I have seen dozens of different Nutcrackers over the years, from the traditional to the avand garde. Nothing can compare with this version. Baryshnikov shines. And Kirkland is a most sensuous Clara/Marie. Their duet at the end replaced the traditional "sugarplum fairy" dance. But, what a duet! I never get tired of watching it. A true Christmas treasure.
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