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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Paramount
Salesrank: 207
Released: September 23, 2003 |
| Our Price: $8.69 |
| Used Price: $9.44 |
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MPAA Rating: G (General Audience)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
A Christmas Carol, by Dickens is transformed into a singing and dancing spectacular.
Genre: Christmas
Rating: G
Release Date: 23-SEP-2003
Media Type: DVD
Description of Scrooge:
A mixed bag as variations on A Christmas Carol go, this 1970 British musical tells the usual story of Scrooge (Albert Finney) and his spirits on Christmas Eve, although the whole thing is set to music by Leslie Bricusse. Except for Finney's feisty and involved performance, however, there isn't much to recommend this. The songs, which absorb so much of the evolving story line and emotions, are not all that good. Plenty of support, however, from the likes of Roy Kinnear (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory) and Dame Edith Evans (Tom Jones), the handsome production is directed by veteran Ronald Neame (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie). --Tom Keogh
Scrooge Reviews:
Absolutely Wonderful 
2009-12-10 - This is a beautiful movie. Beautifully filmed with great acting and sumptuous sets. The movie has a warm glow throughout. Albert Finney is terrific as Scrooge, second only to Alister Sim's portayal in "A Chistmas Carol". The supporting cast is excellent with Kenneth More giving a bravo performance as the ghost of Christmas present. The music is also very good, capturing the feeling of each scene as well as the personalities of the characters. I find myself singing "December the 25th" and Happiness Is". Most importantly, this movie is true to Dickens story. As a long time student of Charles Dickens this is primary for me. I have to say that the editorial review by Tom Keogh is way, way off base. Buy this movie and watch it with your family. It will make you laugh and cry. This movie is a must in anyone's Christmas collection.
Simply the best --renews your resolve for life BUT scary for kids!!
2009-12-10 - I remember seeing this for the first time when I was about 9 years old and was scared to death -- especially when he falls into "Heck".
However, the music is just so good that you can't help loving this movie. Even my kids love listening to the soundtrack in the car.
And the message of the songs is so uplifting too. I've had a very stressful week...er, year...,er decade and even listening to the song "I'll Begin Again" leaves me with hope and happiness for the future.
"I'll begin again
I will build my life
I will live to know
I fulfilled my life
I'll begin today
Throw away the past
And the future I build
Will be something that will last
I will take the time
That I have left to live
And I'll give it all
That I have left to give
I will live my days
For my fellow men
And I'll live in praise
Of that moment when
I was able to begin again
I'll begin again
I will change my fate
I will show the world
That it is not too late
I will never stop
While I still have time
'Till I stand at the top
Of the mountain I must climb
I will start anew
I will make amends
And I will make quite certain
That the story ends
On a note of hope
On a strong amen
And I'll thank the world
And remember when
I was able to begin again
I'll begin again! "
It is simply impossible to come away from watching this movie or listening to the soundtrack and not be in a better mood than when you started.
And with the world such as it is -- anything that can make you feel more hopeful for the future should be considered a "must see" in my humble opinion.
Thank you very much!!!
[NCJAR]
Editorial Review?
2009-12-05 - Who's the idiot who wrote the editorial review? "There isn't much to recommend this film" get a life dope!
Mandatory viewing for the holidays!
2009-12-05 - I debated on writing a review for this movie, thinking it would be a bit redundant, since the average shopper can tell very easily from the collective reviews of this film the level of quality that it is at, but what the heck.
This is the version of "A Christmas Carol" that I was introduced to and was raised on. My father is a huge Dickens aficionado, and I remember listening to the record with Lionel Barrymore playing Scrooge when I was very little. It was years before this movie was even released on VHS, so you had to be lucky to catch it on cable television or the rare time it was aired on network television in the late 70's and early 80's. My dad has and always will insist that the Alastair Sim version is the definitive telling of this great story, and it probably is, but again, it took years for it to even arrive on VHS, let alone DVD.
At any rate, this movie is a complete masterstroke, and is a must-own for every family for viewing during the holidays. It is just as important as White Christmas, It's A Wonderful Life, Miracle On 34th Street, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Charlie Brown Christmas, and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. Some people have been critical of this film due to the fact that it is a musical, but that is just part of the charm, and only adds to the quality of the production as a whole. Albert Finney won a Golden Globe for his performance here, and it's easy to tell why - one thing I love about this movie, compared to most of the other versions, is that Finney played Scrooge as a young man, and as an old man - this is one of the main reasons the film is so good. It is a very authentic, true, "British" film...the authenticity of the setpieces, the cinematography, the casting, the acting...it's all top notch. And the special effects, while sparse, are phenomenal for when it was made. Check out how awesome the scene is where Marley's face appears at Scrooge's outer door and the subsequent fadeaway. The score was also brilliantly written, and the songs make you feel good and help to engage you in the story even further. I feel that this is the last, true, great adaptation of this story, be it film, television, or stage...all the George Lucas magic in hollywood these days is never going to produce a piece of art that will surpass the quality of this film. I have watched it every year on Christmas Eve for the past 20 years, and I still get choked up a half a dozen times throughout this movie, especially during some of the songs. Again, this movie is a must-own and a complete masterpiece of filmmaking.
An Indispensable Seasonal Favourite...
2009-12-02 - Statistically speaking, "A Christmas Carol" appears to be my favourite story of all time, as I own no less than four different film interpretations of it on DVD, and it must be said that I adore each and every one of them (whether they star the likes of Alastair Sim, Michael Caine, Bill Murray, or the star of this version, Albert Finney).
It must be said though, the interpretation that I reach for most regularly is this version, directed by veteran British stalwart, Ronald Neame (who also directed the British screen classics, "Blithe Spirit", "In Which We Serve" and "Great Expectations") and featuring songs and music by Leslie Briscusse (who penned classics such as "The Candy Man" from "Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory" and "Talk To The Animals" from "Doctor Dolittle") and I think this can be ascribed not only to the stellar cast (which features the likes of Sir Alec Guinness, Dame Edith Evans, Kenneth More, David Collings, Anton Rodgers, Gordon Jackson, Roy Kinnear and Geoffrey Bayldon) but to the truly spooky atmosphere of bleakness that pervades the film. Neame, in the best traditions of the festive Ghost story, really doesn't pull any punches in putting the supernatural at the front and centre of his interpretation and goes to some very dark places in the course of this film (including a brief - and very literal - excursion to hell) - a stylistic decision which may alarm some younger viewers, but which ultimately makes the miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge's redemption all the more joyous and important.
That said, let me assure any prospective viewers who I may have inadvertently put off, that this film is a joyous celebration of redemption, forgiveness and charity and features a brilliant central performance from a virtually unrecognisable Finney who completely envelops himself in the role of the world's most famous miser.
Likewise the songs are superbly memorable: "I Hate People" is a perfect (and hilariously funny) misanthropic ballad; "See The Phantoms" is a brief but gloriously spooky sliver of supernatural menace; "December The 25th" is a roistering encapsulation of the gregarious Fezziwig's philosophy; "You...You" is one of the most hauntingly sad odes to regret, lost love and roads not taken ever written; "I Like Life" is a fiercely caustic affirmation of just that sentiment in the hands of Kenneth More, and "I'll Begin Again" is a breathlessly joyous hymn to the possibility of second chances.
It must be said though, my all time favourite song from this film is Anton Rodger's epic coffin borne performance of "Thank You Very Much" - largely because it was my late paternal grandfather's favourite song and tears are still want to prick my eyes whenever I hear it (but in a good way).
If you've never seen this version of "A Christmas Carol", I recommend it unreservedly. It really is one of the finest ever made and, as has been previously mentioned, is certainly in my top four. ;)
