Product Description

Kelsey Grammer ("Frasier") brings Ebenezer Scrooge to life in this musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale. During a Christmas Eve dream that evolves into nightmarish proportions, embittered and miserly Scrooge is visited by three Christmas ghosts: Past Present and Future, who show him the life he has lived and the future consequences of that life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1265 in DVD
• Brand: Lions Gate
• Released on: 2005-10-18
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 97 minutes

Amazon.com
A musical setting for Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is a natural, and this holiday TV-movie (based on the Broadway version) generously crams music into its quick spin through the venerable story. Kelsey Grammer uses his musical pipes (and some of his "master thespian" style of acting) as Ebenezer Scrooge, the man whose miserliness needs no introduction here. There's some experienced musical-comedy talent in the cast, from small roles to large, with expert stuff from Jesse L. Martin (who was in Rent, the Broadway musical, before he joined the Law & Order team) as the ghost of Christmas Present and Jane Krakowski as the ghost of Christmas Past. Jason Alexander, another TV person with a background in stage musicals, does deftly as the chain-rattling Jacob Marley's ghost (and his number is one of the most tuneful of the mixed bag of songs). Alan Menken, the veteran tunesmith of Beauty and the Beast fame, contributes the music, with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime); the bigger numbers are spirited but a little rote. (The Styne-Merrill songs from a wackier version of the story, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, are a more memorable bunch.) This version moves so quickly across the main points of the story that Scrooge's redemption feels a tad rushed, but maybe the songs are supposed to be the point. Still, the razzle-berry dressing is missed. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews

Great New Version!!!
I couldn't believe my eyes, that anyone would knock this excellent version of the famous old tale, but to each their own I suppose. but to the one star rating which only slanders this marvelous production I can only say take it as a Bah Humbug and didmiss it. I am a collector of antique Christmas of many diverse avenues so of course I had to have every issue of this ever filmed, mainly because I love the old Carol, not just because I collect Christmas mind you, it's just a lovely story that I really love because what's better than seeing someone go from a hard hearted grump to a tender hearted Christmas lover!! God Bless old Scrooge, and I'm sure He did, in every person who ever was born anew in Him from any wretched past. You know, I even have this old classic on a series of 78 records I play on my wind up record player, the one with Basil Rathbone as Scrooge. I even have the 1910 version from Thomas Edison's Studios. Well, when I found this one I'd overlooked it for a couple years and then didnt get to watch it at Christmas the year I bought it due to watching so many other Christmas Movies I have, 86 total. So during the Christmas season of 2007 I made a point to watch it. Glad I did too! It's wonderful, the scene where Marley's Ghost comes to Scrooge,, well, I dont like to blow anything so I'll just say it was very imaginative the way they added a new flair to that sequence, very good indeed!!! So glad I bought a new plasma 50 inch HDTV last summer, movies like this are so perfect on the new HDTV's. In my humble opinion, you cannot compare this musical to the 1970 musical with Albert Finney, Apples and Oranges, my God we're talking about 34 years difference for Pete sake. Because I love them all for their own merits I don't compare them anyway. but I can assure you this is a great DVD to own, not at all a flop as another viewer claims. He/she probably doesnt believe in Santa Claus either, lol, enough said. the bottom line is simply this; If you love watching different versions of "A Christmas Carol" then by all means add this great one to your collection and I promise you you'll be glad you did. I'm a 53 year old Christmas lover who knows a good thing when I see it, I even gave copies of this on DVD to friends last Christmas if that says anything. If you are considerng buying this on DVD, rest easy knowing its a good buy.

It grows on you...
This version of 'A Christmas Carol' will grow on you. I have to agree with one other reviewer, the music is the best part of this movie. As for Jason Alexander as Marley: he has one of the best musical numbers in the movie. "Link-by-Link" is absolutely delightful. I also agree with the thoughts on Kelsey Grammer, that he did a great job as Scrooge.

When Christmas rolls around, our family loves to pull out these three DVDs: the Muppets 'A Christmas Carol', George C. Scott's 'A Christmas Carol', and now 'A Christmas Carol: The Musical'. It makes for a great time between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day!

The Best Christmas Carol Ever
Our favorite Christmas Carol has always been "Scrooge", the Albert Finney classic, until we viewed "A Christmas Carol The Musical" starring Kelsey Grammer. This movie is well directed, the performers are outstanding and the special effects are great. This is a must see for anyone who loves musicals. This movie is the closest to a live theatre production that you will ever experience.