(4 out of 5 stars) Of all the recordings of the Nutcracker that I ve heard, this is my favorite (and not just because its from a movie that featured my home town troupe - the PNB). Everything is perfect tempo wise - from the overture to the cute little opera excerpt at the end. No dragging waltzes to tick me off. The loud cannons during the fighting scenes can get annoying after awhile - but the way Mackerras delivers this classic makes up for this and for a movie that sports a lot of elbow and ankle shots. The Sendak cover is great too!