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Summary: What TOOK them so long?
Review: This is my favorite version of Dickens's classic story "A Christmas Carol" that was ever done. Albert Finney is absolutely BRILLIANT as Ebenezer Scrooge.The music in this is simply gorgeous, and you can't help but want to sing along! The supporting cast -- which includes such people as Alec Guiness and Dame Edith Evans -- is simply marvelous, and the story is just as charming and wonderful as it ever has been. This new DVD edition was a highly anticipated thing in our household, and it certainly did not disappoint. The color is absolutely breath-taking, the picture is so crisp it's almost unbelievable. Those of you who have seen this movie before on video NEED to check it out on DVD, it's amazing! As soon as we started the movie, our whole family just gasped at the clarity and richness of the film quality. It's beautifully done.
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Summary: It would not be Christmas without it!
Review: This is the definitive version of Dicken's A Christmas Carol.
I was thrilled to finally find it on DVD. Watching this movie has become a tradition in my home at Christmas. I cannot recommend this DVD enough!
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Summary: Thank You Very Much...This Treasure is Now On DVD
Review: This version of A Christmas Carol has always been my favorite. Finney is superb as Scrooge. I first saw this as an 8 year old in the movies (1970). As I grew up I looked forward to TV viewings...always to be disappointed in how it was chopped up for time and content. The VHS and DVD versions restore the 'Scrooge in hell' sequence and shot of the Grim Reaper as a skeleton (this scene can be scary for youngsters...I remember I was). These scenes are always missing on commercially televised versions. The music is fine: don't listen to the Amazon reviewer. I particularly like 'December the 25th' (with a jovial Fezziwig played by Laurence Naismith), 'I Hate People' and of course 'Thank You Very Much'. Finney's performance as an old man is truly convincing...and poignant. I still get choked up at the end when he says he's having Christmas dinner with his family. For me, no other version of A Christmas Carol comes close. This film is highly under-rated. It deserved a Special Edition but I'm not complaining; at least we get a 16x9 enhanced presentation.
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Summary: By far the best version of A Christmas Carol!
Review: I too completely disagree with the review posted above. The music inspires memories for me from my very early childhood and I could not imagine a Christmas without it. Here in Salt Lake City, there is a little theater called the Avalon which, although barely able to keep its head above water in the world of mega-theaters, shows this movie every year - it is almost like the owner is giving a gift to the community every year. It has become a tradition with our family and many others who are close to us to go to the Avalon and see it. We will still go every year, but it sure will be nice to have the movie on DVD too! I mean, it's not as if you can get enough of a classic like this, can you?
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Summary: My favorite of all Scrooges
Review: Albert Finney is the consummate Scrooge in this British musical production of Dickens most famous story, A Christmas Carol. Rather than being a distraction, the music enhances the story line, even for those who dislike musicals. The late Sir Alec Guiness plays an amusing but ominous Jacob Marley. It is thoroughly enjoyable and will get you into the Christmas spirit(s)? It is newly available this year on DVD.
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Summary: This movie is a must
Review: This is a musical and is the best version of A Christmas Carol that exists. Albert Finney's unique portrayal of Scrooge is truly remarkable. Every time I watch this film I am more impressed with his talent. The score, by Leslie Bricusse, is filled with memorable songs which all seem to capture the essence of the moment in which they are performed. Sir Alec Guiness is perfect as Jacob Marley, who brings a smirk and a sense of humor to his gloomy prophecy. This is a film which I believe has been largely glossed over but which, if watched more than once will really grow on you. It has become our number one Christmas classic to watch each year.
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Summary: The BEST Version
Review: Albert Finney's reading of the classic Dicken's character is by far the best. Ebenezer's character is more fleshed out. We learn that he was neglected as a child and gave up his pretty bride for the love of gold. We even feel sorry for the old (...). Unlike Oliver (1968), the music of Scrooge (1970) fits perfectly. Not being a fan of musicals as a rule, I found the songs in Scrooge to be very catchy and they help move the plot. Get this great holiday movie now. It is the BEST version. [DW]
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Summary: 33 years later we still watch it
Review: Without a doubt, the most seen movie by my husband and I. We saw it first in 1970 and we still talk about how we walked out of the theatre in such a happy, holdiay frame of mind. We weren't married at that time and took my father that same year to see. My children have been treated to a wonderful Xmas tradition of ours, they have grown up, each Christmas with the family viewing of Scrooge. Now it has become their tradition. They are 21 and 23 now. We can recite almost word for word the dialog and the words to the music we sing all the time. I wish they had a CD for the music. This movie is a family MUST. Albert Finney was superb in this role. As was all the other actors. Please don't wait for this movie to become a holiday favorite of your families too. We have catch phrases like"your and old potata" and so on, gotta see this just trust me.
Rating:
Summary: Our favorite!
Review: Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Albert Finney) is a lonely, bitter old man. Scarred by life, and the choices he has made, he locks out all love and human companionship, and derides Christmas and its attendant calls to brotherly love as "humbug." But, his seven-year-deceased partner Jacob Marley (Alec Guinness) visits him with a warning, three ghosts will visit him, three visits that mark his last hope for salvation. When the clock strike midnight, Scrooge begins his journey through Christmases past, present and future, and on to an understanding of what Christmas is all about. [Color, released in 1970, with a running time of 1:54.] I remember going to see this movie in the theatre in 1970, at the age of seven, and thinking that it was great. And now, watching it again with my children, I still think that it's great! One might think that making a musical version of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol would trivialize the story, but on the contrary, the songs and music are excellent and add a lot to the story. What I enjoyed about this VHS version is that it includes scenes which, for some reason, are never shown on television, including a horrifying scene with the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, where the ghost is revealed as a skeleton, and Scrooge is pushed through his grave straight to Hell! Even as a child, I did not find this scene too scary, and neither did my children. (Scrooge's Hell is quite an irony!) My children and I both love this movie, and we highly recommend it to you. Watch it, and it may become your favorite movie version of A Christmas Carol as well!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: Fantastic!
I just found out today that this title is finally available on DVD. Year after year I have scoured various sites in the hope of finding it available and to my total surprise it's finally been released. I cannot believe that the author of this editorial review gave it such a bad rating. For me this is the best version of this Christmas classic. I don't think it should be compared to any of the other non musical versions. It is in it's own right an original take on the story unlike the versions with George C. Scott and Patrick" Packard". Stewart. These 2 versions in particular fail to capture the atmosphere of the time and the tortured angst of scrooge as portrayed by Alistair Sim in the 1951 production. I feel that every non musical version should be compared to Sim's scrooge as should every musical version be compared to this fantastic Finney version. Finney is just fantastic as the miserly Scrooge with excellent support by Kenneth Moore as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Alec Guinness as Jacob Marley. However the highlight is the ending when scrooge repents his miserly ways and have to admit that it brings tears to my eyes every time. Having said all that I just can't wait to receive my DVD widescreen version as it will make Christmas more festive than ever!
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