Platicsco
Good story, Not enough for a whole film
KnotStronger
This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.
Mischa Redfern
I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.
sddavis63
I knew that there had been a version of "A Christmas Carol" made that starred George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge, but as far as I can recall I had never seen it until now. The basic story is well known. It might be the most famous story in English literature and I can't think of a piece of literature that has been adapted so many times and in so many different ways. This version was what I would call a "straight" adaptation. It stayed more or less true to Charles Dickens' work. Everyone knows the plot: Scrooge is a hard-hearted miser who hates Christmas and who ends up being transformed as a result of ghostly encounters into a jovial, kind and compassionate philanthropist. It's a story of redemption in a way. The story being so well know, then, what really counts about this adaptation is George C. Scott. How did he do?I went into this movie as a dedicated fan of the famous 1951 version of the story that starred Alastair Sim as the miserly old Scrooge, and I had some doubts about Scott in the role. I have to say that having now seen this, my doubts have disappeared. Scott was absolutely superb! He took on a very difficult role (because it's so famous, and because Sim's take on the character is iconic) and he mastered it. His own take on Scrooge differs from that iconic take. Sim offered almost a whimsical, comedic portrayal at times, but at his nastiest Sim's Scrooge was very cold and hard-hearted. I thought Scott's performance was much more "even-keel" you might say - and perhaps in that sense even more believable and more in keeping with Charles Dickens' story. Scott managed to become Scrooge for me, and given how ingrained Alastair Sim is in the role in my head, that was a difficult task. He once again showed that he is a very fine actor.The supporting cast in this was good, and the movie was as interesting as a movie can be when you know from the start how it all ends. To be honest it has not replaced the 1951 version in my heart - but it certainly is a worthy adaptation of the story. (8/10)
lemaster_K6466
This is my favorite version of this story. George C. Scott is so good as an actor.I watch this every year. His conversion as he went through the Ghosts, it was very touching. He really was quite the actor.Note: The following is only because IMDb requires a 10-line minimum review, When he was walking with that tall ghost, it was really cool.And the Ghost of Christmas future was creepy.I really like Bob Cratchet's family. I wish that I had such a family.My family was quite dysfunctional. I wish for such love and happiness.Wow, still not enough to post How much more is required?
Byrdz
George C. Scott could BE Scrooge. He seems so mean and angry even when he isn't playing Scrooge that he really inhabits the role. I think it's his voice. Whatever it is, it sure works here.This version is in living color rather than the usual black and white. It's nice ! As are the many familiar actors getting into the Victorian Spirit required for the telling of the tale in a non-adaptation way.This version doesn't really show the regret and sadness Scrooge feels as he realizes he has wasted his life ... it's more a sudden change at the end of the story. I like the more atmospheric fear and determination to be a better man that is shown in the 1935 version. Scott, Hicks and Sim tied for BEST Scrooge (so far).
jimbo-53-186511
Ebenezer Scrooge (George C. Scott) is an old miser who hates Christmas, is generally uncaring and unfeeling toward both his own family and his employee Bob Cratchit (David Warner). Scrooge receives a visit from the ghost of his friend and former business partner Jacob Marley who warns Scrooge that he will receive a visit from 3 ghosts (past, present, and yet to come). Initially, Scrooge is sceptical, but in each subsequent visit from the ghosts he starts to see the effect that his behaviour has on everyone around him and starts to realise that he needs to change his ways....We all know that in this day and age that Christmas is far too commercialised... I mean don't they start advertising for Christmas now before we've even got Halloween out of the way?? A Christmas Carol works so well because it does help to remind us of what Christmas is really about and the 'commercialism' of Christmas that we see is given a positive spin which is great to see.The story arc here sees Scrooge being visited by 3 ghosts (past, present, and yet to come) and at every stage in the story Scrooge is shown little insights into what could have happened by him not changing his ways and what will happen if he doesn't change his ways - clearly the latter hits home with him more than the former. As a piece of escapism, it is enjoyable enough, but I really liked the narrative arc and in some ways found it to be a sort of voyage of self-discovery for Scrooge.There was one really powerful scene where Scrooge is abandoned by one of the ghosts in an area that he doesn't know and he quite literally becomes isolated. Prior to this moment, Scrooge had always been calm and assured whilst he figuratively walks round wearing his rose-tinted spectacles. The scene where he is abandoned gives him a general idea of how the people he condemns must feel; alone, frightened and vulnerable. It's a strong moment in the film made great by a fine performance by George C. Scott. This is just one example of excellence from Scott, but across the whole film he is brilliant - hard-faced and miserly at the start, he's able to bring a sort of humility to Scrooge in the later stages and seemingly does the impossible by allowing the audience to be able to identify with this man. His wealth is treated as a negative at the start, but again this is given a positive spin at the end which is another strength with this film.A Christmas Carol is clearly a morality tale that highlights that Christmas is a time for giving, a time for sharing and a time for caring and in all fairness the film does a wonderful job of conveying this message to the audience (without being preachy, sentiment or heavy-handed) which is a feat in itself.A Christmas Carol is very much worth checking out as it does remind us of the true meaning of Christmas whilst simultaneously providing an enjoyable piece of escapism and as mentioned George C Scott was also terrific.
