Nutcracker Fantasy (1979)

Director:

Takeo Nakamura

Writers:

Shintarô Tsuji (story), E.T.A. Hoffmann (story),

Stars:

Michele Lee, Melissa Gilbert, Lurene Tuttle

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michele Lee	...	Narrator (voice)
Melissa Gilbert	...	Clara (voice)
Lurene Tuttle	...	Aunt Gerda (voice)
Christopher Lee	...	Uncle Drosselmeyer / Street Singer / The Puppeteer / The Watchmaker (voice)
Jo Anne Worley	...	Queen Morphia (voice)
Ken Sansom	...	Chamberlain / The Poet Wiseman (voice)
Dick Van Patten	...	King Goodwin (voice)
Roddy McDowall	...	Franz / Fritz (voice)
Mitchel Gardner	...	The Indian Wiseman / The Viking Wiseman (voice)
Jack Angel	...	The Chinese Wiseman / The Executioner / Gar (voice)
Gene Moss	...	Otto Von'Atra / The French Wiseman / Clovis (voice)
Eva Gabor	...	Queen of Time (voice)
Joan Gerber	...	Mice Voices (voice)
Maxine Fisher	...	Mice Voices (voice)
Robin Haffner	...	Princess Mary (voice)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

based on short story | children turned into mice | foreign language adaptation | independent film

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Taglines:

Let Yourself Believe that Once Upon A Time Good Prevailed Where Evil Existed and Puppets Walked Without Strings [us]

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Genres:

Animation | Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 July 1979 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Tokyo, Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sanrio Communications

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Playhouse 90: The Nutcracker (1958)

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Soundtracks

"Empty Heart"
Lyrics by Randy Bishop and Marty Gwinn
Sung by Randy Bishop (as Bishop) and Marty Gwinn (as Gwinn)

User Reviews

Magical, Mystical Puppet-Animation Fantasy

"The Nutcracker Fantasy" is unlike any animated film I have ever seen. The puppet-animation, which looks remarkably similar to the later puppet-animation of Rankin/Bass, is exquisitely detailed and beautiful. The story is told in such a fantastic and mystical way that it leaves the viewer feeling a bit dreamy, confused and even disoriented. To tell you the truth, I have seen this film several times and still cannot describe it completely. But it's basically about a girl named Clara who receives a nutcracker doll from her Uncle Drosselmeyer and falls in and out of a fever-induced hallucinogenic state. Here she dreams of the nutcracker being attacked by an army of wild rats who are led by an evil 2-headed rat. The rest of the story goes beyond explanation but glimpses include the nutcracker doll coming to life and a kingdom where a princess, who exactly resembles Clara, has been kidnapped. It is a wonderful special that I enjoy watching every year on the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. "The Nutcracker Fantasy" features an all-star cast including Christopher Lee, Melissa Gilbert, Eva Gabor, Michele Lee, Roddy McDowall, Dick Van Patten and others providing voices for the puppets. If you can find a copy of this film, I highly recommend watching it.