We all know the classic Christmas ballet, Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker."

But did you know about the enchanting 1990 animated film "The Nutcracker Prince" loosely based on E.T.A. Hoffman's story, "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King"? It uses music from the Tchaikovsky ballet and features the vocal talents of Keifer Sutherland and Megan Follows.

"The Nutcracker Prince" 
I grew up watching this movie every holiday season, and it's still a favorite for me and my sisters.

I have always strongly identified with the protagonist, a young dreamer named Clara (Megan Follows). Her "uncle" Drosselmeyer is an inventor and magician of sorts, and he brings stories and other realms to life for Clara when he gives her a nutcracker shaped like a soldier and fills her in on the gift's history.

This clip from the movie is the prelude to one of my favorite scenes. Clara can't sleep, so she comes downstairs on Christmas Eve and dances with the nutcracker, singing him a song set to Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers":




"Clara's Song"


If you could hear me now 
If I could only get through 
I'd open my heart, whisper my dreams 
Share all my secrets with you 

If you could see me now 
Waiting for someone to hold 
Someone so brave who's never afraid 
Someone who's strong like the knights of old 

I save this dance for you 
I hope it lasts forever 
So let one star shine through 
And make my wish come true 

If you could hear this song 
This dance would last forever 
I'd carry us along 
To a place where we belong

If you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend it. The animation is ... well ... 1990 animation, but that aside, it's a beautiful, imaginative story with lots of color, humor and joy. 

Read more posts in the Groovy Tuesday series here.