This masterpiece of classical dance was filmed at the Bolshoi Theatre. Choreographer Yuri Grigorovich immerses himself in Hoffmann's fantastic imagery, and takes his cues from the traditional staging of Marius Petipa' scenario : Battle of the Mice, Snowflake flurries, and character dances performed by the dolls who have come to life. The greatest talent of the Bolshoi Ballet appears in this production - Nina Kaptsova (Marie) and Artem Ovcharenko (the Nutcracker Prince) and Denis Savin (Drosselmeyer).