F Productions Presents The Nutcracker

I could recall my father checking out a video tape from the library containing some adaptation of The Nutcracker performed by puppets. I could remember very little, except that the puppet depicting Clara didn't look very inviting with large, slanted eyes that made her look annoyed. I recall some announcer introducing "The Waltz of the Flowers," and that was it, really. Thinking harder, I can remember that the Nutcracker seen was just a prop and didn't even come to life.

Well, as I decided to search "Nutcracker" on streaming services to find more adaptations, I came across it on Amazon Prime. There was the Clara puppet, having re-emerged from my childhood memories. So, I decided it was time to look it over again.

Frankly, it's not really worth the half hour it takes to play.

It opens with a puppet of an old man wearing a black robe, and this puppet has a stationary face, while the hands are clearly human hands, and it gives you a quick introduction to the ballet, telling you the music was by Tchaikovsky, the original choreography by Petipa (not that we see it here) and when the original ballet debuted. He further tells us what a nutcracker is and how it works, using the prop Nutcracker. He tells us we won't see the entire ballet, just an abridgement of Act II.

Act II, which famously has no substantial plot. It's the celebration of the Nutcracker's victory, which we don't even get to see here.

The ballet starts with an abridgement of the overture, played by two puppet crickets on a piano. The opening credits said the music was adapted for two keyboards, and that's what you hear here. No grand orchestration.

It shows us Clara walking through the woods to the candy castle, then joining the King and Queen of Sweets. The King introduces each of the dances, which only last a few minutes, filling out the 28 minute run time until the finale, The Waltz of the Flowers. A variety of puppets move in time to the music, and as far as that's concerned, it's well-done and probably good enough to keep young children occupied with the screen.

Overall, this version of The Nutcracker has no story, doesn't present a great version of Tchaikovsky's score and is overall unimpressive. It might have been great back in 1985 for a parent wanting to expose their child to some classic music and the ballet, but in short time, there were animated versions and filmed versions of the ballet, not to mention audio recordings of the music readily available, making for better options.

So, pass on this one.