Drosselmeyer: [from teaser trailer] It's Christmas Eve. A time of mystery, expectations, who knows what might happen?
Drosselmeyer: [to Clara; from trailer] Your mother was the cleverest inventor I ever knew.
Mr. Stahlbaum: [from trailer] This time has been difficult for all of us, but when Christmas comes, we must do our best to enjoy it.
Mother Ginger: [from trailer] I've been expecting you.

[laughs insanely]
Sugar Plum: [to Clara] Mother Ginger wants to rule the Realms!
Drosselmeyer: [to his party guests] Ladies and gentlemen, my favorite part of Christmas. My favorite part of this evening. I present to you: your gifts!
Philip: [sees Clara looking at the bridge to the Fourth Realm] Halt!

[points his sword at her]

Philip: Who goes there?

Clara: [startled] It's just me!

Philip: [misunderstands] State your purpose, Just Me.

Clara: No, my name's Clara. And I must cross this bridge.

Philip: Impossible. Nobody crosses the bridge to the Fourth Realm without a direct order from the regents.

Clara: [confused] Fourth Realm? Where am I?

Philip: [puts away his sword] You're in the Christmas Tree Forest. But THAT is the Fourth Realm, which is currently at war with the other three realms.

Clara: [alarmed] WAR?

Philip: That is correct, Miss Clara Just Me.

Clara: [frustrated] No, my name isn't 'Clara Just Me'. It's Stahlbaum. Clara Stahlbaum.

Philip: [surprised] Stahlbaum? Are you a relation to Marie Stahlbaum?

Clara: [nods] She's my mother.

Philip: [kneels] Forgive me, Your Majesty! I didn't recognize you, Princess Clara.

Clara: [surprised and amused] Princess?

Philip: [gets back up] Captain Philip Hoffman. At your service, Your Majesty.
Shiver: [shows Clara Marie's old throne room] This is your mother's throne, Your Grace.

Sugar Plum: Have you come to save us, Clara?

Clara: No.

[the regents look disappointed]

Clara: I'm sorry. I didn't even know this place existed before today. You see, I was looking for a Christmas present from my godfather.

Hawthorne: [delighted] Oh, I love Christmas!

[to Sugar Plum and Shiver; lost]

Hawthorne: What's Christmas?

Clara: Then I ran into this homeless mouse.

Shiver: [concerned] Mouse?

Clara: And that's when I met the captain.

Philip: [enters the throne room] We barely escaped Mother Ginger. And the Mouse King.

Sugar Plum: [gasps] You met Mother Ginger? Oh my dear Clara, you're lucky to be alive!

Hawthorne: You must promise never to go back to the Land of Amusements, Clara.

Sugar Plum: [frustrated] Hawthorne!

Shiver: [also frustrated] Its title has been restricted.

Hawthorne: Oh, of course. I meant the Fourth Realm.

[to Sugar Plum and Shiver]

Hawthorne: Apologies. I'm just so upset.

[to Clara]

Hawthorne: Forget I ever mentioned the Land of Amusements.

[Sugar Plum and Shiver silence him]
Sugar Plum: [to Clara] The ballet tells the story of the Four Realms. How your mother discovered our world.
Shiver: [to Clara, as she's attempting to escape the tower] My dear, that doesn't look very secure.

Hawthorne: [worried] You can't!

[to Shiver]

Hawthorne: It's not gonna work.

Clara: It's just the laws of physics.

Philip: Do those laws ALWAYS work?

Clara: Always.

[under her breath]

Clara: As far as I know.
Sugar Plum: [to Clara, after she's dressed for the ballet about the four realms] You look like the daughter of a queen.

[a march-like fanfare plays]

Shiver: [addressing the residents of the three realms] Ladies and gentlemen, on this momentous day, in the history of the Four Realms...

Hawthorne: We are proud and *privileged* to present before you, Clara Stahlbaum, daughter of Queen Marie.

[all applaud]
Sugar Plum: Boys in uniforms with weapons! Sends a quiver right through me.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Quotes

Extended Reading

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms short comments

Madelyn 2022-03-26 09:01:11

Well, it feels like the Oscar for Best Costume Award is solid.
Bo 2022-03-18 09:01:06

Apart from the big scene and the beautiful heroine, there is nothing to say. For the sake of political correctness, the Yankee always forced black characters into traditional European fairy tales, and was also drunk. 3 stars are given to the scene, costume and heroine.