Scrooge

Rating:
Summary: A Must See Christmas Classic!
Review: The critics obviously weren't watching the same film I was. This version of "A Christmas Carol" is a pure delight and will have you singing "I Like Life" and "Thank You Very Much" for days afterword. Finney's performance is magnificent and more than makes up for his mediocre singing ability. It's a big, bold musical that delivers and will become a yearly tradition in your home as it is in mine. Be prepared for laughter, tears and loads of frolicking fun!

Rating:
Summary: I need to see this every year before Christmas.
Review: I have watched this movie every year around Christmas time. I look in the T.V. guide every weekend so I can plan to veiw it. Last year I watched it and the channel that was showing it chopped the movie up so that they could show other things. Now I don't have to worry about that any more because I am getting my own copy. Thank the LORD for VHS.

Rating:
Summary: my favorite holiday movie and a must for Albert Finney fans!
Review: This film was one of the defining elements of my childhood holidays, and at thirty-four I am still singing its songs. The best film version of the story ever done and a great movie all around. The acting, sets, and music are splendid. I'm not usually one for musicals, but this one is great. When I was a kid, we bought the album and used to dance around the house singing the parts. Enthusiastic recommendation! Also, for Albert Finney fans, this is a gem.

Rating:
Summary: Forget the "expert's" opinion - See this film!
Review: This is one of the best Christmas films you will ever see. The music is great, the acting terrific and leaves you with a wonderful glow.

Rating:
Summary: classic!
Review: This movie has been a classic in my family since I was very young. My sister and I have been known to watch it over and over again as Christmas nears. Albert Finney is great, the songs are wonderful and memorable. Although it doesn't follow the book to a T, I find it more enjoyable than a lot of the other adaptations of "A Christmas Carol."

Rating:
Summary: A Christmas classic for all ages!!!!
Review: Easily the best Christmas movie that I have ever seen. I am only 16 years old and have grown up with this classic. Every year I watch it, and often have viewed it as early as September! The songs are incredible and will move you to tears. Albert Finney is one of the most incredible and admirable actors that the business has ever known. I highly recommend it for any person who really enjoys Christmas.

Rating:
Summary: Sing along with this Christmas classic!
Review: This musical version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol will move you to tears, have you singing along with the memorable songs, and charm you with its exquisite Dickensian sets. Albert Finney's portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge is perfect to a T. From the opening scene in his counting house, Scrooge's poor treatment of his clerk, Bob Cratchit, convinces us that he has not an ounce of good will or love in his miserable old heart. The scene that follows Scrooge home is priceless, beginning with the song "I Hate People", and continuing as Scrooge visits each person who owes him money, and they beg him for more time to pay. When Scrooge gets home, he is visited by his deceased business associate, Joseph Marley, and the special effects are quite good, especially considering this movie was made in 1970.

Of the three ghosts that visit Scrooge that night (The Ghost of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future), the Ghost of Christmas Present is the most fun. You'll find yourself singing along with "I Like Life" and laughing as Scrooge gets into the parlor game The Minister's Cat. One scene I found particularly funny was when Scrooge sits in invisibly on his nephew's Christmas party (unbeknownst to the guests), and someone asks the nephew why he always toasts the health of his Uncle Ebenezer. Scrooge nearly explodes when his nephew calls him a "loathsome old carcass", but relaxes when he wraps it up with "besides, I like the old fellow."

The scene in hell is one of the funniest in the film, especially the surprise awaiting Scrooge in his personal chamber. I won't spoil it for you by saying any more. One note: the TV versions of this movie always cut out this entire hell scene, a big loss. Get the video!

This is one of my favorite Christmas movies, and I try to catch it every year.

END

Rating:
Summary: An OK musical
Review: OK musical version of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Most reviews from critics give a bad light on the songs by Leslie Bricusse. True, in the beginning part of the film, the songs tend to slow the narrative down, and they do somewhat fall into the territory of better-music-than-lyrics (the lyrics tend to be repetitous in each number). But when the ghostly journeys of Scrooge's past, present, and future begin, the songs do generally get better, with "Happiness", "I like life!" and the showstopper "Thank you very much!" among the musical highlights (It must be mentioned that the title number, "Sing a Christmas Carol!" is also very good). Albert Finney hams things up rather well in the title role (although his performance seems strictly a cariacture and can't hold a candle to Alastair Sims' 3-dimensional Scrooge in the 1951 film version), and is helped by a good cast including Alec Guinness as an amusing Jacob Marley (He sings!), Dame Edith Evans as the Ghost of Christmas Past (she doesn't), Robert Morse as the Ghost of Christmas Present (he does), Suzanne Neve as Isabel, and Richard Beaumont as Tiny Tim.

Rating:
Summary: Don't believe the Amazon review it's shameless and WRONG!
Review: Amaon should be ashamed of the review given for this timeless classic. The reviewer would no doubt find "It's Wonderful Life" trite. I can't trust a person with that veiw point. I find it also telling no name was given with their review.

I first saw this movie in 1971. It has held a place in my heart ever since. The following year it was releashed again for Christmas and I pleaded with my husband to see it. He complained but went, "Scrooge" instantly became his favorite Christmas movie. Years later I was able to capture a poor copy on tape from TV. Then finally it was released in VHS. I gave copies to several people. All loved this dear film.

I truly believe of all the versions ever done this is the one Mr. Dickens would choose to introduce the Cratchits, Bob and Tiny Tim. To bring to life the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Christmas Yet to Come. Yet best of all, this version to introduce Ebenezer Scrooge.

My children grew up singing these songs. The music is moving, funny and delightful. It's more than unforgetable -- it's important. Leslie Bricusse wrote poignantly of the moment Scrooge realizes he's wasted his life, "I'll Begin Again." Ebenezer tells, "My life, my life! I have the chance to change and I will not be the man I was..."

He wrote so many wonderful songs, "I like life. Life likes me. Life and I fairly fully agree..." "December the 25th my dears, December the 25th, the dearest day in all the year!" "Happiness is whatever you want it to be." I can't write the words without hearing the music and niether can anyone else who has seen this endearing movie.

To all responisble for bringing back this wonderful film, "Thank You Very Much!" I promise the walk back in time, a little more than a hundred years ago to London at Christmas is worth it. You'll sing "A Christmas Carol of all the joy and beauty this Merry Christmas can bring to you!" I promise.

Rating:
Summary: Humbug
Review: I've seen several version of Dickens' tale of hope and redemption on stage and screen, and this is my favorite! Ignore the Amazon reviewer, who clearly needs a visit from the Ghost of Musicals Past to help clear up his/her thinking. The music is glorious, the songs are fun, the acting is superb. The final section, after Scrooge's night of ghostly visitors, is fabulous - music, dancing, singing, food, toys, happy people everywhere - exactly what Christmas should be!