Scrooge

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Summary: Wonderful movie
Review: It is absolutely Wonderful. When will it be of DVD????

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Summary: Christmas film fanatic
Review: This is by far one of the most delightful films ever with real fine performances by all, so what's taking so long to get it out on widescreen DVD?

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Summary: A musical Christmas treat to cherish always
Review: What a joyous idea it was to put music to one of the most beloved stories to grace Christmas or in fact any time of the year. "Scrooge", the 1970 musical version of Charles Dicken's immortal "A Christmas Carol" is a film which sadly doesn't get enough attention and is in fact rarely screened nowadays. Purists may object to this variation of a classic story but it is one of my favourite Christmas movies and it is a total delight every festive season to revisit this film full of grand atmosphere, great performances and wonderful music so very appropriate for this special time of the year.

Following in the wake of the hugely successful musical version of Charles Dickens's "Oliver!" this film is not as well remembered but I feel that it stands on its own merit. Albert Finney, an actor of such diverse talents who was equally at home in films as different as "Two for the Road", and "Murder on the Orient Express", here excels in his classic portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge the mean old miser who learns the true meaning of Christmas when he is visited by three ghostly figures during Christmas Eve. This classic story is so well known that its details need not be repeated other than that it is a story which blends beautifully with its created musical score which I'm sure even Charles Dickens would approve of! And what songs!! They might not be classic hits like the beautiful tunes from "Oliver!" however they are very memorably incorporated into the story and fill it with a joyous feeling of rebirth and happiness that the festive season is upon us. "I Hate People", "Thankyou Very Much" and "I Like Life" are just some of the great tunes performed and the staging of these numbers is superb. Directed with a sure hand of the material by talented Ronald Neame for sheer atmosphere this production cannot be faulted with its terrific recreation of Victorian London, superb costumes, beautiful colour, and great Christmas atmosphere.

Apart from Albert Finney's towering portrayal of Scrooge the film is supplied with a number of very talented British performers in the supporting roles. Supremely memorable are the performances by gifted talents Dame Edith Evans, Kenneth More and Paddy Stone as the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and future respectively. It is a novel idea here to have the Ghost of Christmas Past portrayed by a female character and Dame Edith Evans brings her formidable talent to the part to create a memorable and original ghost full of warmth and understanding. Sir Alec Guiness makes a memorable and painfully realistic Bob Marley, Scrooge's former co worker who died on this night 15 years previously. Always a wonderful performer of diverse roles , here Guiness is both frightening and tragic in his tortured playing of the greedy man who has to carry the chains he made for himself in life for all eternity. His visit to Scrooge displays absolutely breathtaking special effects of him flying through the air and out windows. These alone are one of the many marvels to enjoy in this film. David Collings, memorable in the acclaimed BBC series "Elizabeth R", here has the all important role of Bob Crachit, Scrooge's downtrodden assistant and young Richard Beaumont is a memorable Tiny Tim, the character largely responsible for Scrooge's salvation.

If you enjoy plenty of music at Christmas and like films that provide a feel good series of seasonal tunes then the Albert Finney version of "Scrooge", is just the thing to enjoy during the festive season. Many fine versions of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol", have been created over the years but this would have to be one of the most pleasing with lovely music and interesting original elements that still respect the original material it is based on. For a total festive treat to treasure year after year you can't go past "Scrooge". Enjoy!

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Summary: A Wonderful Christmas story!!!
Review: This little movie is one of my favorites even in other times of the year. I enjoy watching the haunting parts of Jacob Marley floating around Scrooge's room and the part where he says "it is for pity sake that I came here, Scrooge", I love that one!! and the hand when he waves goodbye saying "remember what has passed between us" ...its wonderful, I cant leave it alone. Tiny Tim always makes me cry and I love the ghost of the future too. They could of left out the trip to hell, I thought it was kind of unneccessary for such a classic tale but the whole movie is just beautiful from start to finish for young and old. If you dont have this one, get it and Merry Christmas in February, mine played out in December so now Im looking for a new one!!!

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Summary: Great Dickensian Atmosphere...
Review: scary ghosts, singable songs, wonderful Finney as Scrooge and Alec Guinness (!) as Marley...a musical even I can stomach!!

I first saw this as a kid and loved it. When I finally found it on video, probably 30 years later, it hadn't lost it's charm. The London scenes are obviously shot on a movie lot somewhere but it doesn't matter. Dickens' story is brought to life!

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Summary: scrooge albert finney
Review: best scrooge i have ever seen. albert finney is great singing and acting. the whole cast was very good.i have seen many scrooges and this the best one.

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Summary: Meg Webb USA/UK...
Review: I bought this movie about three years ago and have played it every xmas since. It is fantastic, Albert Finney is outstanding as Scrooge and all the other actors/actresses are first class. The music is wonderful, infact I have just bought a cd of the stage play of this wonderful film, just so I can hear the music. I wish I knew why they never issued the soundtrack of this film, I am sure it would have sold, I am now just waiting for the DVD to come out and I shall buy that. BUT I highly recommend this film to young and old, once you have seen it you will want to see it again and again. ...

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Summary: Scrooge has changed my life
Review: Every year for the last 10 years my husband and I have watched this movie on Christmas Eve. The music is wonderful and I consider it one of my top three favorite movies. Each time I watch it, I renew my conviction to put people first in my life, especially my family and friends. I feel this movie has made a major impact in my life about what my priorities should be. Lose yourself in this movie and feel renewed.

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Summary: Tom Keogh is off the mark
Review: The amazon editorial review does this movie a great disservice. More people should see this version. It is quite entertaining and the tunes are very catchy.

This is one of the more enjoyable versions of a Christmas Carol, with humor and song, yet true to the spirit of the story. It is not a solemn interpretation like the interminable Patrick Stewart Chrismas Carol.

I wish this movie was on DVD. I have looked for this all Xmas season and do not understand why it is not more widely distributed.

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Summary: "Scrooge"---Albert Finney's Version
Review: This particular movie is wonderful----Albert Finney is the best Scrooge I can remember. It is difficult to think that he was quite young when he made this picture! The other cast members also deliver good performances---depicting a Christmas from long ago........... My family and I totally enjoy this movie---we watch it every year at Christmas---part of our holiday ritual! (We bought it at least 8 yrs. ago!!!)

The songs are also enjoyable. I heartily recommend this movie, even though very young children might be bored at the very beginning, or a little scared by some of the ghost scenes after Marley's visit. Otherwise, it's very enjoyable!!!