Rating: 
Summary: Stewart gives the classic tale new life.
Review: This, the latest version of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" is superb. All of the actors put in a fine performance, the special effects are extremely well done, and the film makers did a fantastic job of re-creating the look of the era. But even with all this, the film would have been just another "pretty good" version were it not for Patrick Stewart. Absolutely fantastic performance that elevates the film to the level of greatness. When it comes to acting, Patrick Stewart can do no wrong. I mean you could have two hours of him eating a salami sandwich and it would be oscar worthy. His portrayal of Scrooge is more complicated than just a cartoonish villian who sees the light. The opening scene with Marley's death shows he's got SOME good in him even before the spirits arrive. Trust me folks, this man has the range to play the captain of the Starship Enterprise to a role like this perfectly. Watch this one today.
Rating: 
Summary: The best film adaptation
Review: Of the available film versions, the TNT production most accurately follows the plot of Dickens' timeless classic tale, powerfully capturing its mood and message. Tastefully applied special effects and a beautiful score add nice touches to the outstanding performances of Patrick Stewart and his all-star supporting cast. Dickens would approve.
Rating:
Summary: The Finest of the Christmas Carol Films by Far
Review: I've seen all of them at least twice and, much to my surprise, this one stands out as the best rendition of Dickens classic. Stewart is spellbinding and convincing in the lead role, bringing nuance to what in some other versions was more a caricature of Scrooge. Although he dominates the film, Stewart's portrayal is matched by hard-edged performances by minor characters, including Cratchett's wife and the little boy who goes to buy the big turkey. The setting is also convincing and enhances the atmosphere of this film considerably. You do feel you are in the environs of mid-19th century London. Moreover, the language is mostly that of Dickens himself, used without awkwardness. I especially enjoyed the countenance and demeanor of the Spirit of Christmas Past whose performance captured the bittersweet memories of Scrooge's youth adroitly. I especially liked the fact that this version of the story gives much more time to what happens after Scrooge's moral transformation. This video would be a wonderful conclusion to a middle school curriculum unit on Dickens and/or European/world history. It is also a fitting family film (rated G) accessible to all. Even the young ones, while missing some of the dialogue, will not miss out on the plot in this film. Bravo to all envolved in this classic depiction of a timeless story. So heat some apple cider with cinnamon and spice or, for adults eggnog and nutmeg--or even a brandy old-fashioned sweet.
Rating:
Summary: True to the Book
Review: This a very nice tribute to the Charles Dickens book. It follows the book closer than previous versions. Patrick Stewart does a fine job of being a serious Scrooge and a lighthearted Scrooge after his transformation.
The rest of the cast also does a good job. Richard Grant as Bob Cratchit is wonderful. The sets and costumes are superb with a real feel of being in London during Dickens time. The ghosts are well done as well. I especially liked Joel Grey as the ghost of Christmas Past and Desmond Barrit as the ghost of Christmas Present. The TNT Hallmark DVD picture quality is exceptionally clear and sharp and the sound is excellent. It includes a trailer and language choices. I enjoy all the versions so I added this to my library as well since each has something unique they offer.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Miss This One!
Review: I've seen many of the renditions of the holiday classic, "A Christmas Carol." I liked the two black and white films, one with Alistair Syms and the other with an actor whose name escapes me. I've also watched the musical, "Scrooge," and Bill Murray's, "Scrooged." Recently, I saw "Christmas Carol" done with George C. Scott. All of the above interpretations of Dicken's classic had their good points; the two earliest films, especially the one with Alistair Syms being the best--that is until I saw Patrick Stewart on TNT last night. Stewart's interpretation of Ebaneezer Scrooge is the best! Stewart, I believe, best captures Dickens' true belief about sharing, love, giving, friendship, and mercy in the person of Ebaneezer Scrooge who comes to know the true meaning of Christmas. The supporting characters of Bob Cratchit, Fred (Scrooge's nephew) all the other Cratchit's including Tiny Tim are evocative. The London locales, British accents, and humor are impeccable. I urge all people who love the Christmas classics to give this underrated version of "Carol" a try. You will be pleasantly surprised.
Rating:
Summary: Very close to the novel....
Review: Having just finished reading A Christmas Carol (a yearly tradition for me), I can tell you that this is probably the most faithful of the book's many film adaptations. Complaints about the script puzzle me, since the lines are lifted almost verbatim from Dickens's novel (a sample exception: Near the beginning of the movie, Scrooge compares the relative deadness of coffin vs. door nails, which readers will remember was Dicken's own words as an author. Although verbalized by a different person, the words are Dickens's own). Note that the lines a slightly modernized (very slightly), so if you have many of them memorized (as I do) you may flinch a wee bit. But not nearly as much as some of the more artsy versions. Stewart's performance is wonderful. Most adaptations attempt to downplay the force and overwhelming emotion of the character of Scrooge, but Stewart knows his character (He demonstrates he's familiar with the original in his portrayal). If he seems over the top, it could very well be because Dickens's original character WAS over the top. WAY over. From losing his temper at a lad singing carols to rejoicing over his redemption, Dickens's character wore his emotions prominently on his sleeve. So does Stewart. After all, would you act normal if ghosts were visiting you? Dickens made virtually ALL of his characters overtly passionate, and Scrooge is perhaps the most passionate of all. In short, if you want a faithful adaptation of the book, get this movie. Those who made it obviously were trying to be absolutely faithful to the source. If you want a film that portrays a more modern interpretation of the source, get one of the versions so prominently and frequently praised in these reviews.
Rating:
Summary: Great Presentation of This Story
Review: This is a great version of A Christmas Carol. It is unfortunate it is not available in a Widescreen format.
Rating: 
Summary: Worst adaptation ever
Review: Steer clear of this miserable version. Don't be fooled by the fact that Patrick Stewart is in it. He gives a terrible performance in a terrible version. This version probably has Dickens rolling in his grave. If you want to watch a Christmas Carol, get the fantastic 1984 version with George C. Scott, or the 1951 version with Alastair Sims. It's a shame, because Stewart is a fine actor. I would have expected better of him, and certainly, would have expected him to demand a better script.
Rating:
Summary: The best adaptation of A Christmas Carol I've ever seen
Review: Patrick Stewart truly brings Scrooge to life. The movie remains true to the book almost word for word. Included are scenes often cut from most versions, such as the scene at Fezziwigs and the Ghost of Christmas Present showing Scrooge Ignorance and Want. A truly wonderful movie and one I watch all year around.
Rating:
Summary: A FINE VERSION
Review: A bald Scrooge? Ok. That may be the only thing I have a problem with in this fine adaption of the Dickens story. With an all British cast headed by Patrick Stewart, this movie is very good but still a notch below the 1951 version. What I like most is that the filmmakers did a great job of capturing the look and feel of Dicken's England. For example, Bob Cratchit and his family really look like poor people. Their clothes are ill-fitting and old, their hair is somewhat unkept, their teeth are not pearly white. Nice touch there. Scrooge's office is small, and claustrophobic...off the beaten trail of other businesses. Again...nice touch. As much as I like Stewart, he seems perhaps a bit too young and too vigorous for the role of Scrooge. Still, the director does a good job of sticking to the book and it's a darn good version.
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