The Nutcracker (1993 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Nutcracker |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Emile Ardolino |
| Produced by | Robert Hurwitz Robert A. Krasnow |
| Written by | Susan Cooper (narration) |
| Narrated by | Kevin Kline |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky |
| Cinematography | Ralf D. Bode |
| Editing by | Girish Bhargava |
| Studio | Elektra Entertainment Regency Enterprises |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | November 24, 1993 |
| Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $19 million |
| Money made | $2.1 million |
The Nutcracker, also known as George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, is a 1993 American Christmas musical film. It is based on Peter Martins's famous stage show and was directed by Emile Ardolino. The movie features many talented dancers, including Darci Kistler, Damian Woetzel, Kyra Nichols, and even Macaulay Culkin. The New York City Ballet also performs in the film.
Warner Bros. released the movie on November 24, 1993. It tells the classic story of The Nutcracker ballet.
Contents
The Story of The Nutcracker Film
The film follows the well-known story of The Nutcracker ballet. It's a magical tale that begins on Christmas Eve.
Act One: A Magical Christmas Eve
Scene 1: The Stahlbaum Family Home
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The story starts on Christmas Eve. A family and their friends are gathered in a cozy living room. They are busy decorating a beautiful Christmas tree. Once the tree is ready, the children come in. They are amazed by how it sparkles with candles and decorations.
The Christmas party then begins. Music plays, and gifts are given to all the children. Suddenly, the clock strikes eight, and a mysterious person arrives. This is Herr Drosselmeyer, who is Clara's godfather. He is also a local councilman and a talented toymaker and magician. He brings special gifts for the children. These include four lifelike dolls that dance, making everyone happy. After their dance, the dolls are put away safely.
Clara and her brother, Fritz, are sad to see the dolls go. But Drosselmeyer has another toy for them. It is a wooden nutcracker shaped like a little man. The other children don't pay much attention to it. However, Clara immediately loves her new nutcracker. Sadly, Fritz accidentally breaks it, and Clara is heartbroken.
Later that night, after everyone has gone to bed, Clara creeps back to the living room. She wants to check on her beloved nutcracker. As she reaches the small bed where she placed it, the clock strikes midnight. Clara looks up and sees Drosselmeyer sitting on top of the clock! Suddenly, many mice start to fill the room. The Christmas tree also begins to grow incredibly tall. The nutcracker grows to life size too. Clara finds herself in the middle of a big battle. An army of gingerbread soldiers fights against the mice, who are led by their king. The mice start to eat the gingerbread soldiers.
The nutcracker appears and leads the soldiers. They are joined by tin soldiers and dolls who act as doctors for the wounded. The Mouse King moves towards the still-injured nutcracker. Clara quickly throws her slipper at the Mouse King. This distracts him just long enough for the nutcracker to defeat him.
Scene 2: A Snowy Pine Forest
The mice run away, and something amazing happens. The nutcracker changes into a handsome Prince! He takes Clara on a journey through the moonlit night. They arrive at a beautiful pine forest. Here, the snowflakes come to life and dance all around them. The snowflakes seem to invite them to the Prince's magical kingdom. This is where the first part of the story ends.
Meet the Cast
Here are some of the main actors and dancers who brought this magical story to life:
- Darci Kistler as The Sugar Plum Fairy
- Damian Woetzel as The Sugar Plum Fairy's Cavalier
- Kyra Nichols as Dewdrop
- Wendy Whelan as Coffee
- Margaret Tracey as Marzipan
- Gen Horiuchi as Tea
- Tom Gold as Candy Cane
- Lourdes López as Hot Chocolate
- Nilas Martins as Hot Chocolate
- William Otto as Mother Ginger
- Peter Reznick as Fritz
- Karin von Aroldingen as Grandparent
- Edward Bigelow as Grandparent
- Heather Watts as Frau Stahlbaum
- Robert LaFosse as Dr. Stahlbaum
- Bart Robinson Cook as Herr Drosselmeyer
- Jessica Lynn Cohen as Marie Stahlbaum
- Macaulay Culkin as The Nutcracker/Prince/Drosselmeyer's Nephew
- Kevin Kline as Narrator
- Katrina Killian as Harlequin
- Roma Sosenko as Columbine
- Michael Byars as Soldier
- Robert D. Lyon as Mouse King
- Maureen C. McFadden Devlin as Drummer
