Rating: 
Summary: "Scrooge In Tune"
Review: In this delightful musical adaptation of The Charles Dickens' classic, Albert Finney is cast as Ebenezer in "Scrooge," directed by Ronald Neame, who successfully manages to put a fresh face on the familiar tale. Original music and songs (by Leslie Bricusse), from the jaunty to the poignant, add to this uplifting and appealing version, skillfully crafted and delivered by Neame, and beautifully acted by one and all. At 7:00 on Christmas Eve, Scrooge finally tears himself away from his counting house and makes his way home, commenting along the way (in song) that "I Hate People," only to be greeted at his front door by the apparition of his late partner, Jacob Marley (Alec Guinness). And of course for Scrooge, it's only the beginning of a night that will change his life forever. First, the visit from Marley's ghost, followed, in succession, by the spirits of Christmas Past (Edith Evans), Christmas Present (Kenneth Moore) and Christmas Yet To Come (Paddy Stone). Though not, perhaps, the definitive portrayal of Scrooge, Finney is outstanding and does lend some distinction to the character of the curmudgeonly miser, from the stoop-shouldered walk he affects to his twisted mouth. But, more importantly, he gets beyond the mere physical aspects to capture the personality and singular perspectives of the man as well, and in doing so makes his Scrooge unique; no small accomplishment considering how many times on stage and screen this character has been done, and by how many different actors. Also turning in notable performances are Edith Evans, who makes her spirit of the past warm and accessibly intimate, and Kenneth Moore, whose spirit of the present is as big and engaging as the life he represents. But the real highlight of the film is the portrayal of Marley's ghost by Alec Guinness. What a magnificent actor, and what a magnificent performance! When Marley first enters Scrooge's room he fairly glides, disjointedly across the room, encumbered by the chains he forged in life and which he now must carry around for eternity. There is a fluid rhythm to his every movement, to every step he takes, that lends a sense of the ethereal to him, without-- it must be noted-- the help of any special effects whatsoever. With nuance and precision, with care given to every minute detail, Guinness truly makes him an otherworldly presence. There has never before been, nor will there ever be in the future, an interpretation of Marley any better than this. It IS the definitive portrayal, and a tribute to talents and abilities of one of the great actors of all time. In addition to the music and songs, there are a couple of scenes that consign this presentation of "A Christmas Carol" the stamp of uniqueness. The first involves the visit from Marley's ghost, wherein Scrooge is taken in flight by Marley, and once aloft they encounter lost souls and phantoms, doomed to wander aimlessly for all eternity. The second is courtesy of the Ghost of the Future, who gives Scrooge a glimpse of the nether world, where he is greeted by Marley, who shows him to the "office" he will occupy for eternity, as well as the massive chain Scrooge has forged for himself during his lifetime. The supporting cast includes Anton Rodgers (Tom Jenkins), who delivers one of the most memorable songs, "Thank you very much;" Mary Peach (Fred's wife), Kay Walsh (Mrs. Fezziwig), Laurence Naismith (Mr. Fezziwig), David Collings (Bob Cratchit), Frances Cuka (Mrs. Cratchit), Richard Beaumont (Tiny Tim) and Suzanne Neve (Isabel). Heartwarming and thoroughly entertaining, "Scrooge" is a welcome addition to the annual holiday festivities. It's always fun to see a new spin on a familiar story, especially when it's as well crafted as this; moreover, this one will leave you whistling a tune and humming for the rest of the day, maybe even for the rest of the year. And that's a deal that's just too hard to pass up.
Rating: 
Summary: Albert Finney Makes Scrooge Nasty, Fun and Believable!
Review: Diretor Ronald Neame (The Posiden Adventure, First Monday in October, Hopscotch) takes a very fanciful and theatrical romp with this musical based on the play written originally by Leslie Bricusse (Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, Jekle & Hyde).The lead miserly English Banker is played by the great Albert Finney (Big Fish, Traffic, Erin Brochovich) and his personal performance really makes Charles Dickens classic character come to life. He is really good at being mean. WHo knew he could sing too? The music is fanciful and moves the story along and explains a lot of the characters motivations. I wonder what Dicken's himself would have said about this version? My favorite songs are I HATE PEOPLE, FATHER CHRISTMAS and who doesn't come out humming THANK YOU VERY MUCH everytime you see it! The costumes are wonderful and the sets are real 18th century England. Great production design. Now being that it was made in the 70's - the special effects were good for their time. But you can see some of the wires. Some of the other standout performances include Sir. Alec Guiness (A Bridge To Far, Star Wars, Dr. Zchivago) as Scrooge's parnter Jacob Marley. David Collings as Bob Cratchet, Kenneth More as the Ghost of Christams Present and Edith Evens as the Ghost of Christmas Past give some great performances. A good family filma nd true to the traditions of Dicken's original story - except with music. Fun for the whole family and great to play every Holiday Season! (12-10-03)
Rating:
Summary: musical Scrooge - Finney rules
Review: Scrooge is a wonderful musical version of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol." It is my favorite version, with the 1951 Alistair Sim (black and white, non-musical) version a close second. I saw this in the theater, and loved it so much I bought a $90 rental market-priced VHS copy as soon as it was available. The DVD is far superior to the VHS tape, particularly since the letterbox lets one see the whole picture instead of the panned and cropped stuff on tape. Albert Finney is, of course, fantastic as Scrooge, and the supporting cast is excellent as well. My favorite has to be Kenneth More as the Ghost of Christmas Present. He is one of my favorite British actors anyway, and he sets the high mark for that role, IMHO. The scene in the future with the song "Thank You Very Much" and the Hell scene are on the DVD in their full length (or nearly so). They are usually edited out partially or completely when the movie is aired on TV, because apparently they offend some people. This ruins the film and essentially makes nonsense of the scene back in his room with the sheet knottted around his neck. While not identical to the book, these scenes are well integrated into the movement of the plot, and the reprise of the song after Scrooge's transformation underscores that change beautifully. The blending of this song being sung by the "common folk" of the town with the choir from church singing a more religious-sounding tune could be seen as a symbolic blending of Christian and Pagan Winter holiday celebrations, if one were so inclined as to look for that kind of symbolism. While the film is spiritually oriented, there is not a Christian focus. It is almost a secular spirituality, if there is such a thing. It is well to remember that Christmas is actually a Pagan holiday with a thin veneer of Christianity on top. The dialog is witty and well done, even if it is not exactly verbatim from Dicken's text. The staging, scenery and production values all show up very well in the DVD transfer. I found myself pointing out all sorts of detail in the sets that I hadn't seen in the other versions, to the point of annoying others watching the film with me. The story is a classic one of redemption, and this version is energetic, uplifting, and fun. It is one of those films that leaves you singing the songs and dancing around the dinner table. (And I don't even like musicals! My attitude toward most musicals is summed up beautifully by MAD magazine's spoof of Sound of Music; which opens with the Julie Andrews character singing "How come I'm alone, and there's so much music?") (And yes, I do realize I just revealed how old I am.) The only exception to liking the music is that I always fast forward through the Tiny Tim song. (Sorry, dude. Just not my cup of tea.) This is a great Christmas movie, of course. I use it and a few others, (It's a Wonderful Life, The Bishop's Wife - Cary Grant version, White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, etc.) to build up a bit of extra holiday cheer. I heartily recommend this movie to those who like good musicals, uplifting movies, and well produced films in general. As far as which film version is better, most of the major ones, including "Scrooged" with Bill Murray, have something interesting to offer. I enjoy having the variety of different versions to explore the different ways the story can be told, and see the different intrepretations of the characters.
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Summary: A Christmas Tradition Forever...."Thank You Very Much!"
Review: Albert Finneys "Scrooge"is by far the best Holiday Classic. There will never be another one like it. For the past 17 years this movie has been a traditon of mine and now my own families. Albert Finney is wonderful and no one has been able to play the part of Scrooge as he did. I will watch it 2-3 times during the holidays. Despite what the critics have said, I think the music is wonderful. My wife and I will even listen to the music playing from the tape while putting up our decorations. This leads me to ask is there a soundtrack available? If so, could someone please let me know how to get a hold of it. I've had no luck locating one. This is a movie that is very special to me and will be passed down and enjoyed with my new born son. The joy that this film brings is one that all should take in during the holidays. Merry Christmas and from the words of Tiny Tim..."God Bless Us Everyone."
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Summary: The most sympathetic Scrooge
Review: This musical adaptation of Dicken's classic is not a musical at all. The songs are actually good and fit into the story nicely. Albert Finney is the most sympathetic Scrooge yet. [DW]
Rating:
Summary: A Favorite Christmas Movie
Review: This Movie is a true family favorite.My entire family really enjoys the great cast(btw,Albert Finney is a GREAT Scrooge!),the comedy,and the incredible musical score.It is one of our family's favorite Christmas movies along with I'ts a Wonderful Life.This should definitly be a Favorite of your family's too!Check it out!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A Favorite Christmas Movie
Review: My entire family thinks this movie is terrific!!!!!!!!! The music, the actors,the comedy all add such depth to this film.I definitly would recommend this film to anyone who wants to buy a REALLY GREAT Christmas movie .I'ts A Wonderful Life is also a favorite christmas movie.Check it out!!!!!
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Summary: finally !!!!!
Review: We are from Holland and looked for this movie in our own country for many years. It is not (yet) released here.This is our favorite christmas movie!!! We ordered it right away!!Thank you Amazon.!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A Musical Christmas Carol
Review: A good film. Albert Finney gave one of the best performances as Scrooge that I've ever seen! It was a good musical version of the Christmas Carol tale and every thing in the film worked very well except the Scrooge in hell scene. It wasn't that it was scary it's just that it didn't add anything to the story and I think they just added it to be different from the other Christmas Carol films but it's a good film anyway and getting rid of my old fullframe tape for the new widescreen DVD was a a decision I have no regrets about at all.
Rating:
Summary: The Absolute best Scrooge, Hands down (in my humble opinion)
Review: Yes, I know the version with Alastair Sim is reputed to be the best, and while it is good, I don't even consider it to be in the same league with this Albert Finney version. First off, I totally bought Him playing an old man, when he was in reality in his early thirties, a tribute to his wonderful acting ability. Seconed, I was never so emotionally involved with any of the Scrooge characters in any of the other versions that I have ever seen. The music and the songs are in large part responsible for this. I feel the keen sense of loss expressed in song by Scrooge at the loss of his fiancee Isabel...and the bitterness of the unfulfilled life of a man whom the world would consider having everything (if you judge everything by wealth). I am 42 years of age, and am unashamed to admit that I weep every year when I sit down to watch this movie. No other representation of A Christmas Carol to me Captures the True meaning of Christmas and Christ's Life, Death and resurrection. He died for our redemption, and he is the Lord of Seconed chances, and when Scrooge awakes for the final time wondering whether or not he Dreamed the whole thing, the raw emotion that he puts into the statement "But I'm Alive"! Coupled with the pure Joy he then derives from becoming a giver instead of a taker, generous instead of greedy, and the joy these simple acts of kindness bring to others, well, I think that that's what Life is all about, Living to give, and as your seed sown multiplies, having just that much more to give! I cannot express How strongly I recommend this film to everyone, especially those with children. Here's hoping it becomes a part of your family tradition as it has mine. God bless us, every one!!!
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