Nutcracker (film)

Nutcracker
Directed by	Anwar Kawadri
Written by	Raymond Christodoulou
Story by	Max Roman Yvonne Roman
Produced by	Panos Nicolaou
Starring	Joan Collins Carol White Paul Nicholas
Cinematography	Peter Jessop
Edited by	Max Benedict
Music by	Simon Park
Production company	Jershaw
Distributed by	J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors
Release dates	17 December 1982 November 1984 (1984-11)(U.S.)
Running time	101 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Nutcracker is a 1982 British drama film directed by Anwar Kawadri and starring Joan Collins, Carol White and Paul Nicholas. ^{[1] [2]}

Premise

Set during the Cold War, the story concerns a Soviet ballerina who attempts to defect to the West and settle in London.

Cast

• Joan Collins as Laura Carrere
• Carol White as Margaux Lasselle
• Paul Nicholas as Mike McCann
• Finola Hughes as Nadia Gargarin
• William Franklyn as Sir Arthur Cartwright
• Leslie Ash as Sharon
• Murray Melvin as Leopold
• Vernon Dobtcheff as Markovitch
• Geraldine Gardner as Markova
• Cherry Gillespie as Mireille
• Jane Wellman as Grace
• Ed Bishop as Sam Dozier
• Jo Warne as Madame Olga
• Martin Burrows as Tom
• Fran Fullenwider as Vi
• Anna Bergman as Tashi
• Nicola Austin as Sylvie
• Olivier Pierre as Alex Lasalle
• Steve Kelly as Boris
• Richard Marner as Popov
• Morgan Sheppard as George Peacock

Production

Collins had appeared in two popular vehicles, The Stud and The Bitch which led to her casting on Dynasty. ^[3] She made Nutcracker over six weeks during early 1982 in between season one and two of Dynasty. The director had only made short films. ^[4]

Carol White stormed out of a screening after seeing she had been shown topless, contrary to previous assurances. ^[5]

Reception

The Guardian called the film "living testament to the propensity of the British happily to survive the dollops of soft porn with Joan Collins at its gooey centre." ^[6]

References

1. Upton p.14
2. "Nutcracker (1983)". Archived from the original on 20 June 2007.
3. Vagg, Stephen (11 September 2025). "Forgotten British Film Studios: The Rank Organisation 1982-1997". Filmink. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
4. Wastell, David (3 June 1982). "The bitch and the ballet". Daily Record. p. 19.
5. "Naked protest". Manchester Evening News. 13 November 1982. p. 24.
6. Malcolm, Derek (4 November 1982). "Movies". The Guardian. p. 13.

Bibliography

• Upton, Julian. Fallen Stars: Tragic Lives and Lost Careers. Headpress/Critical Vision, 2004.

External links

• Nutcracker at IMDb