An American Christmas Carol
by Eric Till
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Cec Linder, Dorian Harewood, Henry Winkler, R.H. Thomson, Susan HoganDirector: Eric Till
Brand: Image Entertainment
Cinematographer: Richard Ciupka
Producer: Edgar J. Scherick
Producer: Gary Smith
Producer: Jon Slan
Producer: Stanley Chase
Writer: Charles Dickens
Writer: Jerome Coopersmith
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: DVD, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 98 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1999-11-23
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Image Entertainment
Movie Reviews of An American Christmas Carol
Movie Review: Original, Amrerican, Thought Provoking and Unique
Summary: 5 Stars
93 Snazzes on the 100 Point Snazz-O-Scale! An excellent and original adaption.
An American Christmas Carol is a superb and original adaption of the Dickens Christmas classic. Henry Wrinkler stars as the Scrooge character, Benedict Slade. He does a great job as a hardnosed old man, and he does look convincing in aged make up. The story takes place in New England America, during the Great Depression.
-An American Christmas Carol is unique in many ways. Slade doesn't believe he's evil or even a miser; he's just a practical businessman. On Christmas Eve he and his employee, Thatcher, go out in their truck to repossess items - to take back what is rightly his, Slade says. When carolers show up at Slade's door, he doesn't chase them away with a stick like Scrooge did, he congratulates them on their wonderful singing and offers them a present: A small book he printed up at his own expense on how to save money and make yourself a future.
-Slade's deceased business partner Jack Latham appears and he offers some stunning quotes.
"Hell isn't what you think it is, devils with pitchforks, fire and brimstone."
"Thank God," Slade responds.
"It's worse," Latham says.
A short while later Slade says "But you were a man of business, Latham. You drove a hard bargain but you never did anything evil!"
"Evil isn't just what you do," Latham replies, "It's also what you DON'T do."
A wonderful sentiment. The whole movie is full of incredible quotes and comments on generosity, history, a man's life, and a man's effect on the people and world around him.
-As a unique feature I've never seen in any other adaption, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future are played by Slade's customers, the very people he just repossessed items from. Slade actually believes them to be the same people, having broken into his warehouse. Until they provide a sample of their supernatural powers. The spirits are heralded by Slade's old radio broadcasting music and news from either the past or the future, even when it's unplugged.
-Another unique thing is once Slade has seen the light and transformed into a better man, he is still a bit of a grump. As if the transformation isn't instantaneous and is still a work in progress. He is more generous, more concerned with the welfare of others, including the town, the unemployed, his employee Thatcher and his sick son, the orphanage where he once stayed at, but he has a very nice and realistic bite to him yet.
-The movie comments on the Dickens work frequently. "Did you read that book, Mister Slade?" a bookseller asks, after Slade has reformed.
"The ghost of hell? The ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future? Complete and utter ... what was the word he used?"
"Humbug?"
Summary of An American Christmas Carol
Studio: Image Entertainment Release Date: 10/26/1999 Run time: 98 minutes Rating: NrSimilar DVD Movies
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