MovieChat Forums > The Nutcracker (1993) Discussion > My favorite version

My favorite version

posted 11 years ago by hippiehunny90
3 replies | jump to latest

I received a copy of this on VHS when I was just 4 years old and I think it's just beautiful. Being just a kid myself at the time, Culkin was the *perfect* prince, cause he was pint-sized and adorable. The dancers are a lot more theatrical than other versions, and the costume are gorgeous. I tried to watch the 1986 PNB version, and it just scares me. Even though it has deeper themes, everything seems so hokey.

Does anyone else share my opinion? The 1986 version seems to have a TON of die-hard fans on its board...

Goonies (and neomaxizoomdweebies) never say die!

[–] JohnnyLynx 11 years ago

It's my favorite version, too. I like Maurice Sendak's sets and costumes for the PNB version, as well as the fact that it goes back the E.T.A. Hoffmann's story. But this George Balanchine version is "The Nutcracker" for me. No other version captures the heart of the ballet for me better.

[–] MisterDenton 10 years ago

It's probably because I saw this as a young kid, but I've always liked it too. It feels really Christmassy and the sets and costumes are beautiful. It's pretty much as good as you could expect a film version of the ballet to be without changing things too dramatically. I don't even mind Macaulay Culkin!

[–] itpit 8 years ago

I've only seen this version but I think it's terrific.