The Nutcracker - DVD

Experience the wonder of New York City Ballet's iconic holiday classic on the big screen. In George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky's beloved melodies transport the young and young at heart to a magical world where mischievous mice besiege a battalion of toy soldiers, and an onstage blizzard leads to an enchanted Land of Sweets. Balanchine's stunning choreography shines amidst awe-inspiring set pieces, ornate costumes, and grand one-of-a-kind visual effects, like the one-ton Christmas tree that grows to an astonishing 40 feet. NYCB's beloved production has been performed in New York City every year since it's premiere on February 2, 1954, and is seen live by more than 100, 000 people annually.

Splendid rendition of Tchaikovsky's magical ballet, performed by the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company and using designs by famed children's author Maurice Sendak that evoke the spirit of Hoffman's original fable. Unforgettable family adventure that's fun to watch all year long stars Hugh Bigney, Vanessa Sharp, Patricia Barker. 85 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack English Dolby Digital stereo.

Vienna State Opera & ballet director Manuel Legris present the Nutcracker ballet in Nureyev's final choreography, the 1985 Paris version with two magnificent young soloists and the splendid Vienna corps de ballet. Nureyev's version enjoys a particular standing in the history of this well-known ballet in that it was the first to incorporate the psychology of E.T.A. Hoffman's fairytale on which the ballet was based. The critic Clive Barnes set the tone by remarking 'No version of the Nutcracker that we have ever seen has been more potently dramatic few have displayed so sharp an imprint of personal style. Recorded live from the Wiener Staatsoper April 2012. 102 minutes.