Product Description

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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #334 in DVD
• Brand: FINNEY,ALBERT
• Released on: 2003-09-23
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 113 minutes

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

Heartfelt and Moving
While this version of the classic Dickens' tale did not receive critical acclaim, it remains one of my favorites and richly deserves this DVD release.

Albert Finney is magical in his portrayal of Scrooge, transforming his physical appearance through the art of makeup and fine acting from a robust youth to an aged man during the course of the story.

The supporting cast is also remarkable, and the songs add flavor to the overall atmosphere of Dickens' era London, as well as great and unexpected depth to the core theme of the story: the precarious reclamation of a person's soul.

Dickens' brilliant story manages to convey religious themes without preaching, and provides an accessible character in Scrooge that we can understand, root for, and ultimately, rejoice with and learn from when his heart is turned outward to his fellow man.

Vastly entertaining and remarkably fresh, this life-affirming version of "A Christmas Carol," along with many of its songs, will stay with viewers long after the final credits have rolled. For me, "Scrooge" has become a treasured Christmas tradition alongside so many other beloved yule time favorites. I applaud its long overdue DVD release!

SCROOGE: "Thank You Very Much"
SCROOGE has been a guilty pleasure of mine for many years. As a kid (before cable came along) I hoped that one of the local stations would play the film around Christmas time. I probably haven't seen SCROOGE since I was 11 or 12 years old.

The newly released DVD looks fantastic. The film is 33 years old, and its production design and colors are rendered well on the DVD. The overture is included.

Here's some quick impressions after seeing the film again:

- Alec Guinness is a genius! As Marley's ghost, Guiness has some very funny moments. Watch his performance closely: Guiness achieves "ghostliness" without the aid of digital effects. Watch him "float" parts of his body, especially his hands when he sits down. The walk, the voice, the "floating". Simply brilliant.
- There are several very good songs. My favorites: "I Like Life", "Thank You Very Much", and "Happiness".
- I actually like the flashbacks when Scrooge is young and in love. Very touching. And pretty.
- They really edited this film for TV! There's scenes in SCROOGE that I've *never* seen before; specifically, the scene in hell at the end. Funny!

So, even though SCROOGE brought Christmas into my house in September, it was a welcomed, early celebration.

A delightful, tuneful, Christmas treasure
Albert Finney is simply brilliant in this wonderful adaptation of
Dicken's timeless story.
The production values are scrumptious. The scenes of the streets and inhabitants of London are brought to vivid life.
You'll feel as if you are walking right along with Scrooge as he collects from those who owe him. Right down to wanting to partake of the hot soup a vendor gives him.
Scrooge's home, cold-cold grey and unloved and unlived in. A
haunting metaphor for his life as he lives it.
The songs tell the story almost better than Dicken's prose.
Alec Guinness is perfect as Marley's ghost.
All the visitations are splendidly moody and spooky.
Kenneth Moore as the ghost of Christmas Present is big and brassy and wonderful.
Dame Edith Evans is an effective Christmas Past with her distinctive voice and elegant bearing.
All the supporting characters are wonderful.
Bob Crachitt and family singing in their small flat is
heartwarming.
Considering that Albert Finney was a very young man portraying an old curmudgeon, his performance was STELLAR.
The flashbacks of Scrooge as a young man in love and his burgeoning love of work and money, then to Scrooge, an old and isolated old man is a chance to watch a brilliant actor at work.
I watch this film each and every year. Watching Scrooge be redeemed and find his way is what it is all about.
I couldn't possibly choose a favorite song. They are all wonderful.
I Love this film.