A Christmas Carol

Rating:
Summary: The best version yet!
Review: Finally, someone has taken the time to actually read Charles Dickens Christmas book and bring it to the film industry in a faithful manner. This year I took the time to watch all the versions available. Some are fun, some are creative, some have very famous people in them. But this is the only one that is true to the book, scene by scene. Patrick Stewart does a fine job of portraying Ebenezer Scrooge, without being over dramatic or sappy. The supporting cast is fantastic and very believable. The loud streets of London are heard from the inside of Scrooge's counting house; not just the carolers, but the coaches and children, the venders selling their wares. Each ghost is portrayed faithfully to the book, from the Ghost of Christmas Past with his cap under hand, to the travels of Ghost of Christmas Present all the way to the sea and beyond. For those who think the ghost of Christmas Future looks like a Jawa; read the description in the book. "Tall and stately...shrouded in black, draped and hooded, coming, like a mist along the ground." Along with being true to the book, the soundtrack is absolutely haunting...and wonderful! I encourage all people who love this classic to please read the book and then watch the various versions. I believe you will enjoy this one the most, because it is the most accurate and enjoyable! Merry Christmas!

Rating:
Summary: Stewart carries decent version of Dicken's classic
Review: There are many versions of Charles Dickens' classic tale of the miserly Scrooge and his redemption at the hands of 3 Christmas ghosts. This most recent version, first shown on TNT and starring Patrick Stewart is a fine version of this classic. Stewart, who had plenty of practice with this story due to his one-man show on Broadway, does a fine job as the skinflint, Scrooge. Joel Grey adds an appropriate moment of gravity as the Ghost of Christmas Past. The rest of the cast does solid work in their various roles. There is some great imagery in this film ranging from the ghosts floating on the London night, to the lonely lighthouse that Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present visit. However, this film is not perfect. There are 1 or 2 cheesy moments that pull us out of the story and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come with his glowing eyes, seems more like a giant Jawa out of STAR WARS then a fearsome spectre. Overall, though, this is a solid version of an all-time classic. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: It's not Merchant/Ivory
Review: I'm a bit surprized at the rave reviews this adaptation is receiving. The audio version w/ Patrick Stewart is a gem, but the video was comparatively disappointing. Victorian England was rather desparate for the masses (the exposure of which was really Dicken's literary misson in life). The video starts out in the grandest style of a Merchant/Ivory period piece. The church vestible looks and is cold. After that, one never gets a real sense of that time in history. Scrooge's breath never shows again in Dicken's tale of "biting, piercing cold." The studio sets are obvious for what they are. The beggers and Cratchit's children all look well-fed and warm (remember, Tiny Tim is supposed to have a wasting disease). Grant does a wonderful job as the cringing Bob Cratchit, dirty teeth and all, but it's not enough to counteract the inauthentic surroundings. The language of Dicken's original is repeatedly softened and simplified to sound less stilted perhaps, but less of the period as well. And perhaps most distressing are the cheesy special effects. The spirit of Christmas future looks like a Stephen Spielberg reject! The spirit of Christmas past goes in and out of focus so often, you have to wonder who edited. Stewart is capable of so much more than this production asks of him. When compared with the audiotape, Stewart downplays the Victoriana in favor of a less intense, made-for-tv approach. In my view there is only one reason to get this video: Patrick Stewart. While I would never give up my Scrooge audiotape, I'm giving away this video.

Rating:
Summary: Very Close to George C. Scott's
Review: I agree very much with the other reviews, but two important things should be added: 1. the fact that they actually show a part of the book that, to my knowledge, has not been put on film yet-when Scrooge and the "Present" spirit go out to a ship at sea and to a lighthouse showing how everyone, no matter where they are, celebrates Christmas. 2. The Cratchit family is finally portrayed as a lower middle class Victorian London family not only by how they would have looked, but, being pretty much uneducated-except for Bob-how their lower class London accent would have sounded-just above cockney. I'm a stickler for these little things, but that's what really brings this particular version to life-the smaller details!

Rating:
Summary: A CHRISTMAS CAROL Starring Mr. PATRICK STEWART
Review: Mr. Patrick Stewart is extremely talented actor and plays Mr. Scrooge in this version of A Christmas Carol. He maintains the original Spirit of Mr. Charles Dickens in humankind learning compassion, kindness and cared sharing with others in life. This is truely a wonderful story for all to view at this Yuletide Season of Celebrating Universal Love and Peace on Earth. The DVD version is the best quality format for viewing this Magnificent story.

Rating:
Summary: With Patrick Stewart in Christmas Carol, you can't go wrong!
Review: Stewart's role as Scrooge is just absolutely perfect for him! He plays his part perfectly to the letter! This is definitely the best "Made-for-TV-Movie" I have ever seen! Truly a fine work of art and the best adaption of the classic story to be seen ever in a movie form. Add this one to your collection! You'll be glad you did!

Rating:
Summary: Patrick Stewart IS Scrooge
Review: For years Patrick Stewart has done a one person stage version of "Christmas Carol" playing all the parts. Twice he has taken it to New York where he received rave reviews. Those of us who could not get to New York had to be satisfied with an audio tape version. Then someone had the brilliant idea of doing the video. Naturally it was expanded to have a full cast and sets. Because of his years of doing the stage version Mr. Stewart fits so easily into the role that he is not playing a part, he IS Scrooge. There are other fine versions of the story, notably the wonderful George C. Scott production, but none can compare with Mr. Stewart. The adaptation of the story to film is so true to Dickens, he must have sat on the script writers shoulder as it was written. I taped it from the TV broadcast and now can not wait for the DVD to be released. Anyone who makes "Christmas Carol" part of their holiday or just loves magnificent acting should definitely add this version to their library.

Rating:
Summary: sweet
Review: patrick's role as ebanezer is a unique role for him. his acting from one scene to another is great and ajusting the attitude between the diffrent plots with the ghost is an unusuall side of patrick. the efects are great with todays copmuters and the graphics are amazing this show is a one of a kind and a must for any fan of patrick stewart and a great movie for the holidays and the best part of all is all kids to adults will love this timeless masterpiece to there collection

Rating:
Summary: The best version ever
Review: I really loved this movie when I saw it as a TV special. I was very happy to find it at amazon. As soon as it is in stock I am adding it to my Christmas video collection. Patrick Stewart does an excellent job as Scrooge. This version of A Christmas Carol was my favorite ever. It is hard to explain why I liked it so much. Maybe because it was realistic and not too sappy. You end up caring about Scrooge and all of the other characters.

Rating:
Summary: Christmas, Bah! Humbug!
Review: Where would Christmas be without the most lovable miser in literature? A Christmas Carol, one of the most popular holiday tale of all times returns with a bang in this delightful presentation starring Patrick. Mr. Stewart's portrayal of Ebeneezer Scrooge is one of the best ever! Even if you've seen this story presented in one of its many incarnations this is still a "must see" for anyone who needs a little Christmas Spirit (or three). I would highly recommend this video for the whole family. It is probably the best video version of Charles Dickens' Christmas ghost story ever made.