Product Description

COLD-SOULED EBENEZER SCROOGE HAS A CHANGE OF HEART AFTER SPIRIT VISITATIONS ON CHRISTMAS EVE. FOLKS MIGHT NOT HAVE HAD MUCH TO SING ABOUT IN 1840'S ENGLAND, BUT THIS MUSICAL WILL MAKE YOU BELIEVE OTHERWISE. KENNETH MORE'S MUSICAL NUMBER AS THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT IS ESPECIALLY ENTERTAINING.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8251 in DVD
• Brand: PARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO
• 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
• 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

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.

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!

A Christmas Tradition Forever..."Thank You Very Much!"
Albert Finneys "Scrooge" is by far the best Holiday Classic. There will never be another one like it. For the past 17 years this movie has been a traditon of mine and now my own families. Albert Finney is wonderful and no one has been able to play the part of Scrooge as he did. I will watch it 2-3 times during the holidays. Despite what the critics have said, i think the music is wonderful. My wife and I will even listen to the music playing from the tape while putting up our decorations. This leads me to ask is there a soundtrack available? If so, could someone please let me know how to get a hold of it. I've had no luck locating one. This is a movie that is very special to me and will be passed down and enjoyed with my new born son. The joy that this film brings is one that all should take in during the holidays. Merry Christmas and from the words of Tiny Tim..."God Bless Us Everyone".