Nutcracker (1982)

A Russian ballet dancer defects from the U.S.S.R., emigrates to England, and joins a ballet company run by a powerful, wealthy lady (Dame Joan Collins).

Director:

Anwar Kawadri

Writers:

Raymond Christodoulou, Max Roman (story)

Stars:

Joan Collins, Carol White, Paul Nicholas

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joan Collins	...	Mme. Laura Carrere
Carol White	...	Margaux Lasselle
Paul Nicholas	...	Mike McCann
Finola Hughes	...	Nadia Gargarin
William Franklyn	...	Sir Arthur Cartwright
Leslie Ash	...	Sharon
Murray Melvin	...	Leopold
Vernon Dobtcheff	...	Markovitch
Geraldine Gardner	...	Markova
Cherry Gillespie	...	Mireille
Jane Wellman	...	Grace
Ed Bishop	...	Sam Dozier
Jo Warne	...	Madame Olga
Martin Burrows	...	Tom
Fran Fullenwider	...	Vi

Storyline

A Russian ballet dancer defects from the U.S.S.R., emigrates to England, and joins a ballet company run by a powerful, wealthy lady (Dame Joan Collins).

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Plot Keywords:

ballerina | violence | russian | ballet school | ballet company | 

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final theatrical movie of Carol White (Margaux Lassalle).

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Connections

Referenced in The Golden Gong (1985)

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Soundtracks

Swan Lake
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Arranged by Simon Park (uncredited)

User Reviews

Joanie dances to a different beat

Disco was on its deathbed even as Joan Collins boogied in her mules during her 70s comeback (The Stud, The Bitch). So, what new moves could she try as the 80s dawned? Rejecting the idea of leading a troupe of bodypoppers, she simply remade her previous disco films in the ballet milieu. All the crucial elements are there: Joanie playing a tough cookie, lithe young things taking their clothes off, and once-respected character actors (hello, William Franklyn) standing around looking embarrassed.

Kitsch fans will particularly relish the performance of Cherry Gillespie (ex-Pans People, and "Disco Girl" in The Bitch. Or was it the Stud?)

Paul Nicholas is in it, some time after he got his kit off in "Hair", and before his glory days advertising Farah slacks and Rougemont Castle British wine.

Do not watch when sober, it's quite dull in such circumstances.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

November 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nutcracker Sweet

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jershaw

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)