Original subtitles

Oh, my lady!

You're not asleep yet?

Stay up too late and the Ragman will come for you.

Who's the Ragman?

Oh, you don't know about the Ragman?

There. Can't you hear him?

Whispering, "Rags... Rags..."

The Ragman is a fiend with a terrible magic staff

and if he sees any children who aren't sleeping late at night,

he steals into their room and turns them into rats.

Oh! Is it true?

It is indeed.

Nutcracker Fantasy

Executive Producer Shintaro Tsuji

Director of Photography Takeo Nakamura

Come, Miss Clara.

You'd better get in bed.

Otherwise, the Ragman really will come.

I can't help it, Nursie.

Cousin Fritz is finally coming home tomorrow.

I haven't seen him in three years.

I can barely contain myself!

Nursie, what do you think he's going to bring me?

I can't rightly say.

Come to think of it, I believe I heard Master Fritz graduated

from Nuremberg University with outstanding grades.

Oh, but enough about that.

If you don't get to sleep soon, my lady...

Nursie, I bet Fritz bought me a music box doll.

One that plays "Rock-a-bye Baby."

Oh, I wish tomorrow would come quickly!

My beloved cousin...

Nursie!

How do I compare to three years ago?

Do you think I've become a little more ladylike?

I wonder if Cousin Fritz will be as kind to me as he was back then.

That's quite enough, young lady.

Don't blame me if the Ragman comes.

Well, well...

Uncle Drosselmeyer!

Don't scare me like that.

I thought perhaps the Ragman really had come.

You certainly did startle me.

But why were you out this late?

I thought you'd returned hours ago.

As this moves,

time ticks by...

and dreams are devoured.

Oh, then I suspect you were out repairing that grandfather clock.

All this time?

Well, battling against the weight of 200 years is painstaking work.

Yes, it is a family heirloom,

presented to your ancestor two generations ago from His Majesty.

And did you manage to fix it then?

What? When I get my hands on some difficult old clock...

Although I did have some trouble this time around...

Is that so?

At any rate, what was the problem?

Look.

A demon had been nesting in the spring.

But it's all right.

I exchanged it with a new one.

Whoa!

Huh?

How cute!

What is it? Yours, Uncle?

That's cute?

Yes, very much so!

Say, Uncle! Let me have this doll!

Oh, no, no, no. I can't let you have that.

Listen. Take a good look at it.

It's got buck teeth like this

and bulging eyes like this...

On top of that, its body is all hard corners, like a square.

What's to like about that doll?

Look at how handsome it is!

It makes me happy to hear you say so.

But that doll isn't finished yet.

How so?

You know, Clara,

I've made all kinds of dolls,

but all everyone wants is a beautiful face and form.

But I really want to create a doll

that is beautiful even on the inside.

Well, that's what I attempted to do with this one,

but no matter how much I tinker with it,

it looks like a monstrosity, the exact opposite of its kind heart.

That's why I want to start from scratch.

All right, Clara?

So please.

Give it back to me.

Okay, now! Isn't that enough for tonight?

Dolls aside, Master Fritz is coming home tomorrow, remember?

And I can't seem to make this young lady go to sleep.

But I tell you, if you don't nod off soon,

the Ragman really will come.

Uncle, please!

You will let me keep this doll, won't you?

I promise to take good care of it.

Go on now, off with you, Mr. Drosselmeyer!

Whoa, whoa, wait. But...

Okay? It's all right, isn't it?

Don't come crying to me if you're turned into a rat!

Okay, okay. You win.

♪ A cradle full of flowers... ♪

♪ Moonlight knocks on the door... ♪

♪ The dolls awaken ♪

♪ on the night of the shadow play. ♪

♪ A jar filled with water... ♪

♪ Sleeping eyes view a dream mansion... ♪

♪ The dolls appear ♪

♪ and begin dancing with Clara. ♪

♪ The dolls in the house at night, ♪

♪ and take Clara to a delicious ball in her dream. ♪

♪ The dolls invite her ♪

♪ to a dance just for her. ♪

♪ Bathed in moonlight, ♪

♪ Clara begins to dance alone. ♪

My nutcracker!

Where are you taking my nutcracker?

Stop! Give me back my nutcracker!

Oh! Look what they've done to you!

Poor nutcracker.

Let's have Uncle Drosselmeyer fix you up tomorrow.

Well, what a nice doll you have there.

Can I get a better look at it?

What's wrong?

Bring it over here.

What are you dawdling for?

Give me the nutcracker now!

Nutcracker!

My lady!

Miss Clara!

What's wrong?

You cried out...

I bet you had a bad dream. Was that it?

Oh no, Nursie! My nutcracker!

You must still be half-asleep.

Come now, rise and shine.

I'm not dreaming, Nursie!

The rats made off with my nutcracker!

Nutcracker?

Uncle Drosselmeyer gave it to me last night, remember?

I don't know what you're referring to.

What? You saw it yourself, Nursie!

It must have been a dream.

When your uncle and I went downstairs together,

you were already fast asleep.

I was not!

I'm sure the nutcracker fought off the rats to protect me.

He was so courageous.

Not even that terrifying two-headed white rat scared him.

A two-headed white rat?

Oh my.

Apparently, my talk about the Ragman last night worked too well.

Now, please come to your senses.

Master Fritz arrives today.

Nursie...

I have a little headache.

There, you see?

It's because you stayed up late last night.

Oh my goodness!

You're burning up!

Listen, my lady.

I'm going to fetch the doctor.

In the meantime, you lie down and rest quietly.

Was it a dream?

No. It happened after all.

Where did my nutcracker go?!

Nutcracker?

Uncle!

Uncle Drosselmeyer!

What are you doing in there?

Uncle, wait!

♪ Hide your eyes from the moon. ♪

♪ Turn the clock hands back a little. ♪

♪ The rats are behind the mystery. ♪

♪ Try knocking on the door of the dancing clock. ♪

♪ Inside is the land of poetry and the city of dreams. ♪

Where are you going?

Say, Uncle!

Uncle Drosselmeyer!

Wow! A kingdom of dolls!

Uncle Drosselmeyer!

Uncle Drosselmeyer!

Who are you?

P-P-P-Princess Mary!

Princess!

I'm Clara! I'm not...

You're the princess!

No, I'm not a princess!

My dear Mary!

Thank heavens!

Oh, thank heavens!

You've finally returned to your true form!

You're wrong! You've got it wrong!

My name is Clara, not Princess Mary!

How...?

Lord Chamberlain! What is the meaning of this?

Your Majesty! Please, get a hold of yourself!

Your Majesty!

You said your name was Clara?

As you can see,

you could be the identical twin of my daughter, Princess Mary.

We really do look exactly alike.

But what happened to her?

It's a long story, isn't it

- Lord Chamberlain? - Yes, Your Majesty.

The evil deed was done by that despicable two-headed rat!

Two-headed rat?

Do you know of the Rat Clan?

Those scoundrels!

You probably already know this,

but there are many more female dolls than male dolls.

So when it comes to a show of force, we're just no match for them.

They took advantage of that

and, knowing no fear, plundered the kingdom.

They put us through no end of suffering.

Oh dear!

Last year,

finally unable to bear any more, we went to war.

But our soldiers were all clockwork men, undependable in battle.

It was all one guardsman, Franz,

could do to just protect Mary and me.

It was a lost cause, from beginning to end.

Making matters worse, the triumphant Madam Mauslynx

presented me with a terrible condition of surrender.

She demanded that my beloved Mary marry her eldest rat son, Shunururu.

Of course I refused,

but then...

she put a fearsome spell on my daughter.

The poor girl.

Ever since then, she's been asleep in that form.

How cruel!

Your Majesty!

Oh, Franz.

- Are the preparations coming along? - Yes, Your Majesty!

In order to break Princess Mary's spell,

illustrious personages from all over the land have already arrived

and everything is prepared for tomorrow's international conference.

Very good.

Then I am confident the princess's curse will be broken tomorrow.

Therefore, to break the spell that has befallen the princess,

you only need to adopt my opinion.

By using a snake charmer!

At first, he blows gently.

It makes me want to dance the twist.

That's scary.

Yes, there it is! There!

Snakes are no good!

W-what happened?!

To break a rat's spell...

You need a cat.

I made this cat myself.

It shall catch the rat in no time.

Go get it!

And thus Princess Mary's curse...

will be broken immediately!

I hear calls for an encore, so once more.

Huh?

That's strange.

But my method is still the best!

That didn't work.

Don't you agree, everyone?

If I had to sum it up in one word, that would be "nonsense."

Now, lend me your ear if you would.

Though I haven't practiced for a week...

You know, I say songs change with the times and the times change with songs.

I also believe that music can solve every mystery.

So I'll play a collection of sweet, nostalgic nursery rhymes...

and a stirring march.

Now, the key is alternating with them.

I believe this union of darkness and light, light and darkness,

is the precious key that will unlock the princess's spell.

Balderdash!

Everyone!

Aren't you embarrassed at wasting all this time when the answer is so simple?

First, you blow up a balloon and then, right by the princess's ear...

Pop! It goes kablooey!

That's what it is.

That'll solve everything, 1-2-3! You got it, baby!

I was struck by inspiration and composed the epic poem

of the century by my beside in the middle of the night.

"Wake up. It's time to eat."

I would like to dedicate it to her.

"At the foot of that great breadfruit tree,

a secret wooden oak table lies in wait.

As the wind blows, a songbird announces,

'Wake up! It's time to eat.'

Morning comes, afternoon passes,

and then the shade of evening falls again.

Here, there and everywhere, rats race up and down,

making it impossible to even turn around.

Eventually, that person will get soaked in a downpour of soft silver rain.

Though those lips won't open ever again,

to that pallid face in profile,

I scream at the top of my lungs,

'Wake up! It's time to eat!'"

Everyone, I am a magician and as such, my specialty is magic tricks,

but I am especially proficient in breaking rat curses.

So I would like to show you something.

You see before you a single handkerchief.

There's nothing up my sleeve.

And now, a pigeon will emerge from...

Well, for some reason, a pig has emerged instead...

Does anyone have any questions about the matter?

Bonjour, mesdames, mesdemoiselles, et monsieurs.

Dear me, not one person thus far has given us any insight.

Due to the very nature of magic,

it ought to be analyzed more scientifically.

And a difficult problem like this

should be entrusted to an intelligent person such as myself.

Now, this is what I've produced.

I'm going to add this chemical to this liquid.

Observe. Huh?

Pardon. Well, as you can see, my enthusiasm for science

comes across clearly to you citizens...

And when it's time for the next election, I hope you...

Does everyone know what a lullaby is?

As long as there are lullabies in this world,

the princess's curse cannot be broken!

I shall execute all of the lullabies in the world! Now!

Um... Do you know of Prince Pon,

who awoke the famous Snow White from her slumber?

Prince Pon's kiss possesses potent power.

- Go, Prince Pon! - Just a kiss?

Deliver your blessed kiss to everyone in this great hall!

Kiss? A kiss, he said!

Execution!

Seize the lullaby!

Set it aflame! Douse it with water!

Bury it in the ground!

Everyone! Everyone, calm down!

You were invited here because you are the luminaries from various fields!

What a mess this is turning out to be. I'm shocked!

Come on, everyone.

Pull yourselves together.

No more monkey business. Everyone just needs to relax.

- Oh yes, why don't we have some tea? - I'd rather have booze.

I believe this refinement is the trick to breaking the princess's curse.

You see? Now then, it's teatime.

Attention, s'il vous plaît! Attention!

Science! Science is everything!

I should receive special compensation for my research!

I, the maharaja, am indisputably correct! I have the answer...

My way is best! I am number one!

All right! I'm the big cheese here!

It's me! I am the leading light here!

Execution! Off with their heads!

Kill them! The guillotine!

Tea?

What I think is...

My poor girl...

I invited this assembly of notables to help you,

but, in the end, they're only thinking of themselves.

♪ Sadness ♪

♪ lives in my shoes. ♪

♪ No matter where I go, ♪

♪ you follow me. ♪

♪ Life is a very long journey... ♪

♪ Serana... Catariana... ♪

A girl shouldn't be out walking alone at this time of night.

It seems you've got something on your mind.

Granny... What can I do to break the princess's curse?

Celebrities have gathered from all over,

but they won't seriously think about her condition.

Is there something that can be done to break the spell?

That is a thorny problem.

Oh, I know.

I'll introduce you to someone.

She's a gypsy fortune teller who's often right on target about everything.

Go straight down this street, then take a right.

You'll see her sign for "gypsy fortune telling."

Go there and say "Queen of Spades."

This crow will lead the way.

Thank you so much, Granny.

Queen of Spades!

Madam...

Um...

Can you tell fortunes about anything?

Yes.

I feel terrible about the princess.

I want to know how she can be brought back to her original, beautiful form.

But...

But I... um...

don't have anything.

There's no need to worry about that.

Nothing beats consideration and kindness towards other people.

Madam, please tell me a way to break the princess's curse.

Well, have a seat.

Now, then...

The key to breaking the princess's spell...

It doesn't matter how many famous people they gather.

Those fools will never break my spell!

But Mama, if my Princess Mary does nothing but sleep,

I'll never be able to marry her.

Oh, my precious prince.

There's nothing to worry about.

As soon as that stubborn King of the Dolls

agrees to have his daughter marry you...

I'll undo the spell and return her to her original, beautiful form!

There is one more way.

The only other way to break Princess Mary's spell

is to obtain the guardian deity of the Mauslynx family...

A walnut!

The Walnut of Krakatoke!

The Walnut of Krakatoke?

Crack it!

You must crush it!

But it's hard.

It's harder than any substance I know.

Nobody would be able to crack it!

Krakatoke...

The Walnut of Krakatoke...

And those beautiful pearls...

Out of all the historied items I have here,

only the mystery of this pearl sword has eluded me.

But now, I finally understand.

This sword was created to split open the Walnut of Krakatoke.

- Go on, have a look. - It's beautiful!

This pearl sword is the only thing that can shatter the walnut.

And that will dispel the magic affecting the princess.

However, be very careful so that Madam Mauslynx doesn't discover you.

The Walnut of Krakatoke?

Yes.

If that walnut is cracked, the princess's curse will be broken

and Madam Mauslynx will turn into a normal rat.

But that walnut is tougher than steel.

This sword!

With this pearl sword, it can be split open!

With this sword?

This pearl sword?!

I see.

All right then!

But Madam Mauslynx...

No matter what kind of magic they use,

I'm going to save the princess!

I can't let those rats run rampant in our kingdom anymore.

I'm going to inform the king.

But...

When you crack the walnut,

you mustn't let Madam Mauslynx find you.

Thank you, Clara.

Franz, that's all I ask of you.

Split the Walnut of Krakatoke at all costs!

I'm counting on you!

After you break the curse,

you shall become Mary's husband.

They didn't learn their lesson after last year's defeat,

but are challenging us again?! The impudent dolls!

Everyone! It's guerrilla warfare!

Attack them from all sides! Rip them to pieces!

Use guerrilla warfare!

These wind-up soldiers are no threat!

Fight! Fight them!

That's it! The dolls will all fall down!

Now! Get them!

- Keep it up! - Wait, what are you doing?

- Hey. Don't get the wrong idea. - Pay attention!

I'm your master.

The enemy is over there. Got it?

Whoa, whoa!

Help!

I cast a spell on Franz!

Lose your limbs! Become mute!

Turn into an ugly nutcracker...

Oh, my daughter!

My precious Princess Mary!

Thank heavens, thank heavens!

The curse has finally been broken.

Your Majesty! Let us prepare a celebration!

Good idea.

We will celebrate to our heart's content tonight.

You know, my dear, this is all thanks to the brave Franz.

I have decided that he shall be your husband.

Oh! Marry Franz?

Where is he now, Father?

Franz!

Is Franz here?

Where's Franz?

That's odd.

Where did he go at an important moment like this?

I-indeed!

Why would he miss the princess's celebration?

Franz!

Summon Franz! Hurry!

Franz is right here.

This nutcracker is Franz.

He broke open the Walnut of Krakatoke,

but Madam Mauslynx hit him with her final spell...

- which turned him into this. - Oh!

- This is Franz? - That's right.

This won't do, Father.

I can't marry a doll like this.

Then you...

No, no!

I hate that absurd-looking doll!

But Your Highness!

Franz was turned into this form while saving you. He did it for you.

You can marry him.

I would rather die than marry this thing!

Come, let's dance to lighten the mood!

I want a lively waltz.

A waltz that will awaken anyone who's sleeping in the palace!

Let us all dance merrily 'til the dawn, everyone!

Poor Franz...

My nutcracker...

Gypsy fortune teller?

If only Uncle Drosselmeyer were here at a time like this...

♪ Nutcracker... ♪

♪ Hugging a doll... ♪

♪ No matter how far you go, ♪

♪ the mystery won't be solved. ♪

♪ Even in the dark forest, ♪

♪ all alone... ♪

♪ I am going home. ♪

♪ The lost child of love... ♪

♪ Where could the morning be? ♪

♪ I will fly alone. ♪

♪ Where could the forest be? ♪

♪ The light is coming. ♪

♪ Even in the dark forest, ♪

♪ all alone... ♪

♪ I am going home. ♪

♪ The lost child of love... ♪

Sir...

I would like to ask you for directions.

If I go straight through this forest, where will I come out?

Where does this path lead?

Please tell me, sir.

There's a lot that I don't know.

How can I turn this nutcracker back into Franz?

Just tell me that, sir!

You can talk to dolls, but don't expect a response!

Those dwarves are really marionettes.

Who are you, sir?

I'm the puppeteer of the forest.

I forget my name, though.

What? You forgot your own name?

Everyone in this forest has forgotten their name and address.

It's just not that important.

Oh, what a cute doll.

But someone has cast a magic spell on it.

Can you tell fortunes too, sir?

I could a long time ago, but have completely forgotten.

However...

However?

What is it, sir? If you know something, tell me.

No, I've forgotten.

Everyone's forgotten.

But...

I have a feeling you're the only one

who can break the spell that doll is under, young lady.

Me?

What should I do? Tell me, sir!

Oh, no, I don't know what it is.

But if you go straight that way,

you'll come out at a village in which time does and doesn't exist.

Ask your question to the gentleman with one eye who lives there.

Thank you!

Uncle...

Uncle Drosselmeyer...

I wonder where he went.

That time is off.

That time is correct.

I can't fix the clocks then.

No, exactly.

You're absolutely right.

In the village where time does and does not exist,

no one buys clocks.

Sir...

What's this?

You're not from the village, are you?

Are you here to buy a new clock?

No, sir.

I'd like you to tell me a way to break the spell upon this nutcracker.

Break the spell upon a doll?

Who told you I could do that?

I'm a simple clock merchant.

I'm no wizard.

But...

But please!

If you know anything, tell me, sir!

You're putting me on the spot here.

And your doll has certainly seen better days.

Well, let's have a look.

Uncle Drosselmeyer?

Sir, do you know Uncle Drosselmeyer?

Perhaps you love this doll, young lady?

My nutcracker...

I feel so bad for you, Franz.

The curse upon this doll will be broken...

when it is filled with true love.

True love?

When someone loves it.

But it has to be true love.

I really do!

I really do love him. But...

There are many kinds of "like,"

just as there are many kinds of "love."

People are quick to like, love, hate, and despise various things.

Even though they don't truly love whatever it is...

I wonder...

Do you truly love it?

Love...

True love?

Come on.

Let's go to my Marzipan Palace.

Yes, that's the Marzipan Palace.

From now on, it's going to be our palace.

Welcome home, my lord and my beautiful lady.

Welcome to the Marzipan Palace.

Uncle Drosselmeyer!

My foot!

My foot won't move!

Franz!

I... My foot...

Wait, Franz!

Franz!

Give it to me!

Give it here!

No! This is my precious Franz!

I have business with Franz!

He broke my mother's spell

and destroyed the venerable Mauslynx family!

I will have vengeance!

He can't move.

He can't even speak.

You still won't let him be, even after he was turned into this?

Please! Forgive him...

Shut up!

I'm going to cut it to pieces!

Don't! Please!

Don't do it!

Instead...

Take me!

Cut me to pieces instead!

I really love that nutcracker!

You say you really love it?

I have a feeling you're the only one...

I wonder...

Do you truly love it?

What did you say?

Take you instead?

You would really sacrifice yourself for that doll?

That's astounding.

Silence!

Please! Forgive him!

Take me instead!

I really love that nutcracker!

Uncle Drosselmeyer!

Oh, thank goodness!

You're going to be fine, my lady.

The doctor said sleep would be the best cure.

How do you feel?

Perfectly fine!

But this room seems different from before.

Oh, no, nothing has changed.

It must just feel that way after recovering from your fever.

Master Fritz has been waiting this whole time, worried about you.

He's home already?!

Franz!

Are you all right now?

You've gotten so big...

and so beautiful that I can hardly recognize you.

Clara,

you would make the perfect princess for a marzipan palace.

♪ A cradle full of flowers... ♪

♪ Moonlight knocks on the door. ♪

♪ The dolls awaken ♪

♪ on the night of the shadow play. ♪

♪ Palace of the princess... ♪

♪ Deeply dreaming... ♪

♪ Midnight minuet ♪

♪ as she is sleeping. ♪

♪ Clara, take my hand. ♪

♪ Hear the music, ♪

♪ now that the dance of the dolls has begun. ♪

♪ And in the moonlight minuet... ♪

♪ Dancing alone in your first pirouette... ♪

♪ This is the dance of the dolls. ♪

♪ And it's all for you. ♪

♪ Lilies in the night. ♪

♪ Moonshadow knocking on the door. ♪

♪ Calling, "Clara!" ♪

♪ Clara, take my hand. ♪

♪ Hear the music, ♪

♪ now that the dance of the dolls has begun. ♪

♪ And in the moonlight minuet... ♪

♪ Dancing alone in your first pirouette... ♪

♪ This is the dance of the dolls. ♪

♪ And it's all for you. ♪

♪ Lilies in the night... ♪

♪ Moonshadow ♪

♪ knocking on the door, ♪

♪ Calling, "Clara!" ♪

♪ Clara, take my hand. ♪

♪ Hear the music, ♪

♪ now that the dance of the dolls has begun. ♪

The End