The Nutcracker Story

The children of Counselor Stahlbaum, Marie and Fritz, ask their father to buy them the wonderful dolls displayed in the window of a toy shop. He does not agree but secretly negotiates with his friend Drosselmeyer to send dolls to the children for Christmas. The Master sends the gifts and prepares a surprise to send along as well – a small doll for cracking nuts – the Nutcracker.

On Christmas Eve, guests gather in the Counselor’s house. Children can’t wait to see the Christmas tree and holiday gifts. The long-anticipated moment comes when the Master of Dolls arrives, dressed in a wizard’s costume, and surprises everyone with his art. Clockwork dolls dance for all guests. Drosselmeyer gives Marie a funny Nutcracker, but Fritz accidentally breaks it. Marie gently comforts her new favorite toy; her brother and his friends, wearing masks of mice, tease sad Marie. Everyone dances once again and leaves, the party over and Christmas Day almost upon us.

Marie falls asleep in her bedroom. But even in her sleep, she keeps worrying about the broken Nutcracker. The clock beats midnight. By the wave of Drosselmeyer’s hand, everything changes: room walls move apart, the Christmas tree begins to grow, and all toys come to life. Tin soldiers under the command of the Nutcracker march around the room. Suddenly, mice come out of the underground, led by the Mice King. The dolls are terrified and confused. Only the courage of the Nutcracker saves them. A seemingly unequal battle is tied up, and the Nutcracker is left alone with the King of Mice and his retinue. Marie, seeing the danger threatening her toy, takes off her slipper and throws it at the King of Mice. Mice scatter scared. And then a miracle happens …. There is no more funny ugly doll – a handsome prince stands in front of Marie. He thanks her for his salvation and invites her to follow him. The waltz of the snowflakes accompanies our heroes in their dance.

Marie and the Prince’s amazing journey continues. They sail along the sea to the City of Sweets in Confitureurburg, a beautiful place ruled by the Nutcracker Prince. Suddenly, the mice are back and attacking again. The Nutcracker Prince swiftly defeats his enemies and the people of the city gladly greet Marie and their Prince. The good puppet Mater appears and turns the Kingdom of Sweets into a rose garden. Marie and the prince are happy! But all of this is just a dream. It was Christmas Eve, and dreams disappeared with the dawn and the sun. Christmas Day arrives, and Marie sits by the Christmas tree with a Nutcracker toy on her lap…