A Christmas Carol
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Movie Reviews of A Christmas Carol
Movie Review: A Christmas Carol Is A Gift For the Whole Family
Summary: 5 Stars
Originally released as a presentation of Hallmark in the mid-80's, this edition of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" is perhaps the most elegantly portrayed, highly detailed production to date, and though its depiction of the central characters vary slightly from the original story, it nonetheless captures the essence and spirit of the century old novella.George C. Scott masterfully plays Ebenezer Scrooge. Set in 19th century England, Scrooge is a miserly, greedy businessman who has set about to build his fortune, despite the adverse effect his life has had on everyone around him. As Christmas approaches, he is visited by the spirit of his recently deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, who admonishes that Scrooge will be visited by three spirits of Christmas who will help him to see the errors of his life. Through each of their visits, Scrooge is given glimpses of Christmas past, present and future through a series of vignette experiences that reflect parts of his life, and where his life will ultimately lead him should his own spirit go unchanged.
The movie serves up a very poignant and important reminder about the true meaning and spirit of Christmas, and it is a great and entertaining film for the whole family. "A Christmas Carol" features first rate performances by the entire cast; especially endearing is the relationship between Bob Cratchit (David Warner) and his son, "Tiny" Tim Chatchit (Anthony Walters). Additional noteworthy performances include Edward Woodward as the boisterous and prophetic Ghost of Christmas Present, and the delightful Roger Rees as Fred Holywell, Ebenezer Scrooge's nephew.
Capturing the essence of Christmas, this film is an emotional, insightful and completely engrossing adaptation of Dicken's original story. With all the other adaptations of the story that are out there, make sure to make this one a part of your Christmas tradition. It is a film the whole family is sure to enjoy.
Movie Review: A true literary adaptation
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes, there are a few liberties taken with Dickens' original text, but this version of Christmas Carol is quite true to the message which Dickens conveyed. Powerful images, and George C Scott's very natural (as opposed to "cartoonish") portrayal of Scrooge, rescue the work from the "children's story" genre into which other adaptations often fall. If someone is interested in a film that is "entertainment for the whole family," s/he may not find this version to be a favourite, because it is not pure entertainment. The poor are shown in their genuine state, not as the exceedingly happy crowd in a fictional London! For example, one extremely powerful sequence is when Scrooge, during his travels with the Ghost of Christmas Present, sees families huddled over makeshift fires, seeking shelter under a bridge. Scrooge learns, from what he hears, that families indeed would rather die than go to the workhouse - the poor laws would separate them one from the other.
Though there are various fine adaptations of Christmas Carol, this one is probably singular in that there is no exagerration in the depiction of any character. Fred is a reserved, rather shy young man - Bob Cratchitt's family enjoy each other's company but are not excessively joyous. Scott's Scrooge is the ultimate laissez faire capitalist, proud of his financial success for all that, as he comes to learn during the ghosts' visits, pursuing this has made him isolated from human warmth and totally indifferent towards anyone else. Scrooge is not a caricature, nor a monster - but one who placed all of his trust in business gain. The scene where he spies his former beloved, Belle, with her spouse and children, and realises that this life could have been his, is very moving. (Though Belle appears to have no less material wealth than Ebenezer.)
This is an outstanding production, capturing the essence of Dickens' brilliant work.
Movie Review: Santa delivers George C. Scott in a magnificant production
Summary: 5 Stars
The given wisdom is that Sim's 1951 version of Scrooge is the definitive.
Now isn't it time for you to decide for yourself?
This version was made in 1984 at the height of the greed-driven 80's where everyone thought the most important thing to be was a Wall Street power broker selling junk bonds and Reagan's economic policies gave us the start of the homeless problem which persists today. Considering Scrooge was a money lender, it's hard not to have a bit of poignancy of the issues of charity and kindness to others seep through the production. Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol", like all his works, as a social commentary - so it's not surprising to see real touches of political commentary in the drama.
As originally written, the tragedy of Ebenezer is that he was highly successful, highly powerful, and highly intelligent and yet cut-off from his fellow man. George C. Scott infuses a deep intelligence in Ebenezer that Dickens intended. The subtle humor of this version, often relayed in the form of sarcasm, gives a richer characterization (not recognizing Tiny Tim, who is waiting for his father to finish work, Scrooge tells the cripple: "Don't beg on this corner, boy").
The script is spectacular. It is highly faithful to the spirit of the original Dickens. Even added dialogue regarding the use of coal in the office highlights the interaction between Scrooge and Cratchit and characterizes Scrooge, including his intimidating use of logic, immediately. If you hadn't read the original, you wouldn't even know it was added to the story.
Besides, no one but Scott could deliver the line "Misterrrrrrrrr Cratchit!" so powerfully.
Give yourself a real Christmas treat and see what one of the best American actors of the last century can do with such a familiar tale.
Movie Review: Nearly perfect in every aspect!
Summary: 5 Stars
George C. Scott gives a superb and frighteningly convincing performance of the character that brought "humbug" to common usage. By far, his is the finest Scrooge to be filmed, easily believable and "hate-able" and equally sympathetic and likable after his redemption. David Warner, easily one of the most underrated and overlooked actors of the screen, is the perfect Bob Cratchit. Anyone not touched by his performance in the Tiny Tim death timeline has a heart of pure stone. His interaction with the rest of his "family" is thoroughly convincing and heartwarming. Roger Rees is magnificent as Ebenezer's nephew, Fred. It's easy to feel he really wishes to connect with his uncle and genuinely rejoices when it finally happens in the conclusion. Edward Woodward and the Ghost of Christmas Present seems to have been lifted from the pages of the very Dickens manuscript. He is the duplicate of the John Leech illustration in the 1843 original. The only flaw with this production are the wooden performances of the two younger Cratchit children in some scenes. Unfortunately, the youngest is, of course, Tiny Tim. Even so, the young actor portraying him does an admirable and mostly convincing job. (Blooper alert, though: Look over Scrooge's shoulder as he is standing at Fred's door - unmistakable aluminium drainspouts across the street. Minor, but distracting to the scene.) I watch this DVD many times between Thanksgiving and Christmas (and even a couple of times after), and never tire of it. It's simply too good to watch only at Christmastime!!Movie Review: My favorite version
Summary: 5 Stars
It would be an understatement to say that there have been many filmed versions of "A Christmas Carol." They run the gamut from somewhat scary to lighthearted, from straight drama to musical, and everything in between.
Myself, I tend to dislike the musical versions and prefer the story to be straight drama, with a touch of scariness. As such, this version is my favorite. While it is not a completely faithful adaptation of the book, it is true to the spirit of the book and to Dickens's firm sense of social justice.
George C. Scott as Scrooge is one of those rare examples of absolutely perfect casting. With his jowly, scowly face and gravelly voice, he is completely believable as the miserly, miserable Scrooge, yet at the same time, he shows the humanity that is buried beneath, especially when the Ghost of Christmas Past is showing him the path he took that led to his lonely, bitter existence.
The Ghost of Christmas Present is a harsher, more judgemental spirit. As played by Edward Woodward, he laughs a lot, but at the same time is oddly humorless. There are times when he is actually rather frightening, which of course sets the stage for the terrifying Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
The supporting cast is extremely good (save for maybe Susannah York as Mrs. Cratchit), and the production values are much higher than one would expect from a TV movie. In fact, one could easily mistake it for a theatrical release; I was surprised to learn that it wasn't.