A Christmas Carol

The Spirit Of The Novel

As other reviewers note, this is the best cinematic rendering of Dickens' novella, head and shoulders above every other film version. While Scott and the rest of the cast are wonderful, the signature achievement of this version is that it captures the real flavor of CC and expresses the real theme - that, in the words of Jacob Marley's Ghost, "Mankind was my business! The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!" And Frank Finlay's Marley is the theme-setting key to this movie - genuinely and awfully frightening, the very picture of the damnation of the acquisitive and insensitive. There is nothing "cute" in Dickens' published story, and little humorous; it is replete, however, with bitter ironies that this film highlights. Other Scrooges in other films are curmudgeonly; Scott is the embodiment of a moral monster, an economic Nazi whose worship of the "golden idol" of riches has transformed him into a man damned but unaware of it. The "ghastly children" of Ignorance and Want and the clearly dying Tiny Tim (fetching, yes, but horrifyingly ill, with sunken eyes and missing teeth, a victim of the Scrooge-induced poverty of the family) take all of the "cute" and most of the sentiment out of the story - and leave the viewer with something much more like what Dickens conceived than any other film version so far.

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An Astounding Cinematic Achievement!

No disrespect to the classic Alastair Sims version of this Dickens story, but this version featuring the incredible George C. Scott is by far the definitive version. The casting director is to be commended--the actors and actresses chosen are perfect for all the roles and perform as an ensemble with outstanding passion and conviction. And of course, Scott embodies the role of Scrooge as if he was born to play the part. The Blu-ray version features crisp sound and picture and is well worth the money. Get it. What are you waiting for?

A great movie

Great performance by George C. Scott. This is the best version of "A Christmas Carol" movie.

Can A Miser Change?

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens
A miserable miser named Ebenezer Scrooge who despises everything, but money. Scrooge has an exhalent business, but he is mean to his one and only employee. His mate Marley who is a ghost comes to warn him. Three ghosts visit Scrooge during the night. To show the miser to change his ways. This is a great book! Its filled with the joy of Christmas, and stories about Scrooges (young and old) life. This story will make you say," Can Scrooge change." This book is exhalant to read at Christmas and now. It's filled with joy. Can Ebenezer Scrooge change his ways. You should buy this book.

One of the Best

For readers who love Dickens "A Christmas Carol", this remains one of best film interpretations. Certainly little Tiny Tim captures perfectly the sweet personality of the suffering child. My only criticism of this film version is that the spirits display a bit of meaness not in the original story. Otherwise, it is a perfect Christmas film for all time.

Makes the Season

This version of Dickens' Christmas story is nothing short of superb. George C. Scott and the supporting cast put their hearts and souls into the characters to bring them to life. The location shooting makes the fiction seem real. Once heard the theme music becomes a seasonal favorite. Everything is right on this DVD. Frank Finlay's portrayal of Marley's ghost is one of several special highlights. Highly recommended.

Loved It!

This is the best adaptation of the A Christmas Carol. I have owned this for years on VHS. I was happy to finally find the DVD. If you like the book you will love this DVD. A real Christmas treat!

Very Good!

I read the Christmas Carol book by Charles Dickens and I thought it was very good and I have seen several of the movie adaptations and the George C. Scott version is one of my favorites. Yes, it's true that he wasn't good at doing British accents which is why some people probably didn't find him convincing but he is a superb actor and played the part well even though he sounded very American and this movie really shows why he is thought of by many as one of the greatest actors of all time and I highly recommend this DVD!

One of the less authentic performances

Compared to Albert Finney in SCROOGE, George C. Scott plays an unconvincing role as do the supporting actors in this version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Although neither version is completely true to Dickens, SCROOGE, the musical, came closer to the spirit of the original novel and is a much better, more enjoyable film.

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The Best Version of 'A Christmas Carol' ever!

I absolutely love this movie. This is one of my most favorite movies of all time. This is definitely one you have to watch every Christmas, like I do. George C. Scott takes the role of Ebenezer Scrooge and literally makes it his own. The script for this movie goes by the book 100%. The actors and actresses in this, are fantastic. This is the best version of the story ever made. Sorry Patrick Stewart, but you can't ever top George C. Scott in this role. If you love the novel, watch this. This is the novel in the flesh!

Simply Outstanding

This movie is simply outstanding! I have seen many renditions of the Charles Dickens holiday classic, but this one is by far the best one I have ever seen! The true spirit of christmas is exemplified through this movie. Very touching and very enjoyable! I think I shall watch it now!

The definitive adaptation

I had grown up with this version of Dickens' story, yet continue to prefer it over others which shy away from the author's story.

Masterful

George Scott gives a powerful performance that brings this story to life. The presentation is at times a bit gritty, but Dickens afterall was a reformer and this movie is true to that part of his intent. If you have never seen a presentation of A Christmas Carol that you have liked, this one you will. I have...year after year.

A Christmas Carol comes alive

George C. Scott ''is'' Ebenezer Scrooge just as Jeremy Brett became ''the'' Sherlock Holmes in PBS's adaptation of that classic. We watch this movie every Christmas Eve with our children and look forward to yet another viewing. Charles Dickens himself would give this film five stars. A must see.

A Christmas Carol - I finally ''get it''

I am 58 years old, and have seen this Dickens classic for many years by other actors as well. However since purchasing this version (which is now my favorite) I have listened intently to the words and ''fully'' realized the implacations.I believe that Scrooge had a Narcissistic personality, and that's why he was ''healed'' of his former attitude and beliefs....He, finally ''got it'' Dicken's did a marvelous job of portraying the 'hardend heart' and the possibility of altering ones current lifestyle to what it should be, which seemingly all the other characters exhude during the movie. (Now if only my son-in-law would ''get it'', before it's too late)George C Scott-to me, this was your ''best''

The best I've seen so far!

I remember seeing this the year it came out on TV. I had just read Dickens' book and was amazed at how the lines are word for word! I also believe that George C Scott completely filled out the character of Scrooge. He is better then the book in some ways in how he adds subtle expression which shows Scrooge is human and has a heart. For example watch his performance while talking to the ghost of Jacob Marley. Scott shows that Scrooge had emotion for his friend, even Dickens didn't give Scrooge that much character before his ''salvation''. This is an excellent movie. If you think you are tired of the story, then you haven't seen it done right. This one you will buy and watch year after year! Not sappy, even a little scary. It is a ghost story after all! But alas, Tiny Tim is as usual soooo good that you yearn to see him do something wrong, anything! Never did like that character.

The Best Christmas Carol of All Time!

I have seen many of the adaptations of Charles Dicken's classic tale of the true meaning of Christmas and this one tops them all. George C. Scott presents a masterful and realistic portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge, along with an excellent screenplay and special effects which enhance the story to its fullest.

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