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Product Reviews:
The Nutcracker / Baryshnikov, Kirkland, Charmoli |
Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: Not for HD
Comments: The American Ballet Theatre DVD has great music and dancing however 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,1cannot top Kirkland's dancing with Baryshnikov. |
Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Summary: Love It!!
Comments: 1st of all, as a dancer from a family of dancers, I really do not 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, however 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, however you can see how that interpretation can be made.
On the downside, the original recording in 1977 had its flaws that can not 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. however it's always been that way, even years ago on TV, so it doesn't bother me (I have 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. however if you want to see some ballet that will leave you breathless, or just love Baryshnikov, this is the one!! |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Magical!!
Comments: 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 purchased it automatically and now I watch it about twice a week. there is just something about it that I can not get enough of. I am going to see the stage version next week for the 1st time since I was5and I am nervous that I have spoiled myself with Baryshnikov!! |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Absolutely Exquisite
Comments: 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 almost all sensuous Clara/Marie. Their duet at the end replaced the traditional "sugarplum fairy" dance. however, what a duet!! I never get tired of watching it. A true Christmas treasure. |
Rating: 3 (out of 5)
Summary: Mikhail and Nutcracker how bad can it be?!!
Comments: Perhaps the best interpretation of "The Nutcracker" ever made. Baryshnikov's finest hour. And as even the almost all ballet-ignorant know, that bar's set pretty high.
I have seen Mikhail Baryshnikov dance in the much-praised chick-flick "The Turning Point." And I have seen him dance his own interpretation of "Don Quixote." great. Great, even. however not as much as fellow Russkie ballerino Nureyev's stab at "Quixote." And I have seen much more of him dancing. The man defies gravity, as well as many other laws. A ballet dancer, in the country of America, has been treated like a movie star. however this may well be his best work, artistic-wise.
Mikhail Baryshnikov is man who hardly needs an introduction, as he is a man who is synonymous with ballet. The man is a household name, Baryshnikov is at his best here, which is more than difficult, even for him. Celebrated USA ballerina Gelsey Kirkland (who was a regular partner and even girlfriend of dear Misha at the time) actually proves to be a credible match. And even takes it to a higher level than he does in HER solo scenes.
This was the 1st "Nutcracker" I have ever seen. I have seen several interpretations of "The Nutcracker" since then, and this1still stands as the best of the lot. There are no real children in this cast. The children's roles are played by adults in adolescent-looking wigs.
The idea to make this a movie rather than a live stage piece kind of works. It allows for more visual effects than a straight live piece would have.
There is a moment where Ms. Kirkland dances a solo all by herself, that sequence actually left be breathless. When she shakes her pointed feet like bells, the music jingles in pitch-perfect sync. She doesn't seem to be following the music at all. The music seems to be following her.
It's so beautifully and perfectly done, that as someone who takes ballet and has danced on the stage, that it actually hurt to watch.
The day that I can move as gracefully and exquisitely (on her worst day, I mean) may never come. Kirkland actually, in that1scene, manages to steal the movie away from Baryshnikov. Baryshnikov's leaps, turns, jumps and pirouettes are as breathtaking as always, and somehow never seem to get old. Misha's striking presence and Peter Pan-like mobility just.. well, makes you want to get up and dance. Or just jump around. He doesn't so much leap as much as soars.
Baryshnikov puts some little touches of humor here and there. there is a lovable old man at the Christmas Party who attempts to dance and hurts himself, as well as a toy soldier who stubs his toe. Baryshnikov has always seemingly had the soul of a child and the heart of a clown.
The Arabian Coffee Dance has been deleted for running time, I am sorry to say. As has Mother Gigogne. Not to mention The famed "Waltz Of The Snowflakes" is a powerhouse, the ballet corps sway to the music so beautifully, for the briefest moment, we actually forget about Baryshnikov and Kirkland.
Is Baryshnikov trying to give himself more screen time, Clara or the ballet itself? Alexander Minz proves to be invaluable as a supporting player in the role of Drosselmyer. I was reminded of Fred Astaire. He moves around with his long, willowy limbs in a way that seemed alalmost all inhuman. I seriously doubt ever got half the credit he deserved throughout his life.
He had an effective, amusing cameo in "The Turning Point." Baryshnikov continues to prove time and time again what we already know--the greatest ballet dancer of any generation will always be a Russian.
The choreography is riveting, some of the best I have ever seen. Although, the honor for "World's Greatest" go to "Singin' In The Rain." Maybe the Russian could put dances together now. He's reportedly a great teacher of dance as well.
While many of the special-effects look a bit outdated, it remains a riveting experience. After all, almost all ballet movies are just filmed dancing and this1takes the effort to actually be something of a movie.
The acting is not much, nor is there as much plot as is traditional, a as this "Nutcracker" focuses more on the dancing and music. The pyrotechnics (the dancer's rapidly-moving muscular limbs and the way they and the music honestly gel).
Despite Mr. Baryshnikov in the title role and given prominent 1st billing, the star of "The Nutcracker" is Gelsey Kirkland as Clara, as this is all Clara's story.
Mnay movies have attempted to translate this legendary dance story to the screen, usually with disastrous results. For example, the mistake the 20th Century Fox movie "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker" made was if they were going to made the ballet into a movie, they should have done something for the movie that they couldn't do for a live production. Alas, they did not. It moved so slowly and the whole movie was so badly-lit, it looked like somebody boot-legged the whole thing with a camcorder.
The solo duets are just as enjoyable. The dancers, are in fact, so great that they alalmost all threaten to outdo the leads.
It's a beautiful story, more with flair and style in it's depth. It's a revised fairy tale.
When Misha and Gels prance together, their body movements alalmost all in perfect parallel... it's beautiful and breath-taking. They seem to be connected internally somehow. These are2people brought-en together by dance. It's e little girl's dream... and that's exactly what the "Nutcracker" should be.
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