The Nutcracker: The Royal Ballet [2010]

I was lucky enough to get this copy on Christmas Eve, so I watched it right away. I have seen other versions but nothing like this which was explanatory about why things were happening (like the mice). Probably Russians who knew the story when they first saw this didn't need it. Drosselmeyer stole the show with his magic and his flowing cloak. The opening and the closing were wonderful and a fitting close to the story, bringing us back from the magic and the dancing into reality. As for the dancers all of them seemed wonderfully talented, until you come to the Sugar Plum Fairy and her prince. Then Talented turns into - well a thousand words aren't enough. I loved Clara - she seems to throw herself into the joy of it all and the Nutcracker/nephew seemed a prince all of his own. Thank you to everyone involved in this production for all the effort, time, practicing, expense, to bring this experience to the rest of us.

This is about as good as it gets. This is THE best Nutcracker I have found. You have everything and Anthony Dowell as well as a very good Drosselmeyer. The Sugar Plum Fairy is just superb. Miyaka Yoshida really has made this her own and she will impossible to better in this role ever, She is partnered by the excellent Jonathan Cope as her prince and the whole story is told in full with all the characters fully represented and the whole story told in the ballet and in the very convenient notes in the insert within the case. Principle dancers are all absolutely faultless and as Clara and Hans-Peter/Nutcracker Cojacuru and Putrov eek expression from every millisecond, whether they are dancing or acting. Russians really are unsurpassed. I loved every minute and I just don't think it is possible to better this.

The 2000 Royal Opera House Nutcracker was an outstanding version of the ballet.It is presented as the stage version all camera angles from auditorium.The sound quality is good. the sound of dancers can be heard but muted, as is the audience applause.Although the lighting has made some concessions to television the theatrical stage lighting does overdo the colour cast - too blue for snowflake scene too pink for sugar plum fairy sceneThis did look great in the Opera House at a live performance but not so good for TV.The NTSC version which seems to be the only one available does play on British equipment but the resolution is 720x480 pixels with a frame rate of 29fps.The result is a slightly "softer" picture.

I love watching this ballet especially around Christmas. So far, this version is the best one for me.

One to go back to year after year. Forget over a hundred pounds per ticket, watch this outstanding production of something that just can't date in comfort and peace. Unbeatable Christmas magic, escape your guests and the kitchen Cinderella. Glorious, joyous, beautiful.

This DVD has everything I wanted - a superb performance from a wonderful cast. The sound quality and video are very good - in fact I can't fault it in any way. I enjoyed watching it over Christmas and the New Year - I've seen a number of performances of 'The Nutcracker' and I'd say this is the best - I wish I could have seen it live.As far as delivery was concerned, it was well on time and there were no faults with the packaging - well done.

Exquisite ballet.Could follow lovely storyline.Thoroughly enjoyed it

I watched this over Christmas (for the first time). An excellent production in all respects (superb dancing, sets, music, sound quality , picture quality, etc. and interesting / useful extra interviews).