Rating: 
Summary: Short Review of A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott.
Review: It was like being transported in time back to 18th. Century England. I find absolutely no fault with this movie and would rate it as the best rendition that I have ever seen. Geo. C. Scott is outstanding as "Scrooge" as is David Warner as "Bob Cratchit." The special effects and cinematography are excellent. My children do not feel like it is Christmas without watching this movie. It is or will be a classic.
Rating:
Summary: The definitive retelling of Dickens' classic novel.
Review: A wondrous spectacle of the famed holiday classic that may have done better as a theatrical release, Clive Donner's television rendition of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" is perhaps the most successful version of the oft-told story. Featuring a handsome production design that outshines many other television movies, a delightful and poignant performance from George C. Scott, and a trio of ghosts that supply real fright, this is one adaptation that captures the heart of the novel with impressive results. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge is made much more emotionally pliable under Scott's acting, who brings out of the very cruelest qualities in Scrooge. Most importantly, he convinces us that Scrooge's miserly ways stem from a lack of love in life rather than from sheer hatred for much of mankind and their celebration of Christmas. His despicable treatment of his secretary, Bob Cratchit, and his refusal to lend charitable assistance have made him an icon of his town, much to the dismissal of Cratchit as well as his own nephew, Fred Holywell, who believes there must be some good in his miserable uncle. One fateful Christmas Eve, Ebenezer is visited by his deceased partner, Jacob Marley, set up superbly through a series of bump-in-the-night chills throughout his cold, empty mansion, and ghostly apparitions and voices that are truly frightening. Warned of his fate, he is later visited by three spirits at the strokes of one and two o'clock, with a third that will appear in due time. The visitations of these spirits provide us the sometimes gleeful, but always uneasy life of Ebenezer, whose childhood centered around the disdain of his father, and whose adolescence began his growing obsession with financial security over all else. With each visit comes a window into the past, the present, and the future, at which point he must decide whether or not he wishes to continue in his unfriendly ways and die alone and unloved. The challenge of retelling such a well-known story, especially one that has been committed to film numerous times, is giving is a fresh feel. Donner has achieved this through his elegant production design, his great cast, and his reliance on the original source material. This version above all others is able to capture Scrooge's life in convincing detail, emotionally and physically. The fact that his father had an influence on his adult ways furthers our understanding of his attitude towards others; throughout the course of the night, each spirit's revelation deepens our sympathy for him, and our hope for his repentance. Casting Scott in the main role lends much to that success: his versatility as an actor provides the character a unique and magnificent portrayal unmatched by all others to date. As Bob Cratchit, David Warner beautifully relates his character's attention to what is most important to him rather than his hardships; Frank Finlay is eerily frightening as Marley, while Angela Pleasence and Edward Woodward mix warmth with chills as the Spirits of Christmas Past and Present, respectively. For a television movie, this one has lofty ambitions, evident in its glorious appearance. Filmed entirely in Shrewsbury, England, Donner captures the period and history of the novel, bringing authenticity to life before our very eyes. His biggest success rests with his envisioning of the third Spirit, that which is the most frightening of the three. Each filmed version portrays the apparition in a different manner, but I have yet to see one as completely terrifying as this. Draped in black and surrounded by fog, with a mere screech as its communication, this Spirit is guaranteed to send chills up and down your spine, and is a master portrayal of Dickens' character. Destined to be one of the great Christmas classics, this rendition of "A Christmas Carol" mixes terror and glee in equal measure for a film that captures the Dickens novel beautifully and successfully. Scott's performance remains one of the best of his career, and outshines many other portrayals of the famed miser. Donner has outdone himself with this most vivid achievement: any other version of "A Christmas Carol?" Bah, humbug!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely the best ever
Review: This telling of Scrooge's transformation never ceases to bring a tear to the eye when Scrooge regrets the time he has lost. George C. Scott, with his gravelly pitch, is the PERFECT Scrooge! His "Mr. Cratchett!" the day after Christmas is a classic! If you're only going to buy one Christmas Carol movie, this is it. Who cares if George C. has a believable english accent?! That has NO bearing on the plot, whatsoever! This is a tale for all people of all time. I find it MORE appealing in that he does not try to effect one and works on his craft and emotions rather than voices. To deride such a tale over voices is like complaining about the hero's wardrobe while missing the acting that is taking place within the wardrobe! This movie will touch the hardest hearts. God Bless us, everyone!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful
Review: While living just outside of the city of Shrewsbury, I had the opportunity to watch as the filming was being done. It was amazing at the transformations the city went through for this movie. It was even more amazing to actually see the entire movie a year later once I was back in my homeland of Canada. The entire cast and crew did a terrific job with this story. I thoroughly enjoy seeing this movie every year. It has become a tradition to sit and watch this show which warms your heart through its message and lets us recall so many wonderful memories of our time in England.
Rating:
Summary: The best version ever
Review: This is the absolute best version ever made of this great and timeless story. I think Dickens himself would be pleased. Dickens was one of the first reformers, a great humanitarian who spoke out on the injustices of England's class system and the horrible plight of the poor. This film captures, without overdramatizing it, the society of Victorian England and the dire condition of the poor. George C. Scott is excellent, as is all of the supporting cast. Most notable is that Tiny Tim actually looks like he is ill, and quite likely to die. You really get the feel of 19th century England when you watch this version, and although I can almost recite the script line for line, I still get tears in my eyes at the end. The 1951 version with Alastair Sim is also very good, but I strongly suggest that you skip the dreadful version with Patrick Stewart. It amazed me at how such a beautiful story could be so botched, and how such a great actor like Stewart could give such an awful performance--or why he'd consent to be in such a bad film.
Rating:
Summary: A Handsome retelling
Review: George C. Scott brings his formidable acting ability fully to bear on the characterization of Ebenezer Scrooge, the world's most ill-regarded miser. When Scrooge says "Bah humbug!"
there's no smirking from the sidelines.This is a businessman who would try to get "blood out of rock" for profit.Even on Christmas Day. The 1984 version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is stellar and the supporting cast(David Warner; Susannah York; Frank Finley)work to make this ghost story one of the greatest morality tales ever penned, while combining its Tiny Tim heart-string-pulling ambience to make most viewers, indeed, want to carol "JOY TO THE WORLD!" at the end.
The Christmas Ghosts who come to serve Scrooge his moral warrant are played straight without self-deprecating irony or pseudo-hipness. When Scooge climactically faces the grim Wraith of Christmas Future to peer at the damning judgment to be rendered on his selfish, emotionally barren life, most viewers will breathe an empathetic sigh of relief when he's granted a SECOND CHANCE. This is a handsome, high production values version of Dicken's classic. It is brought to the screen again with enough class and verve to drive-out the bad Scrooge, and bring-out the good Scrooge in us all.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Rating: 
Summary: ok
Review: It was ok but in all honesty I can't say it's my favorite that would have to be the classic black & white version from 1951 though this holds up too.
Rating:
Summary: George C. Scott brings Scrooge to life
Review: My problem with other versions of Christmas Carol has always been the same: Scrooge just wasn't believable. They always over-dramatize him. They make him too miserly and too crotchety. That wasn't the point Dickens was trying to make with Scrooge; Dickens wanted him to be a bitter man who felt betrayed by the world, so escaped into $ for sanctuary. Enter George C. Scott with his masterful acting, and finally you have a good Scrooge. George C. Scott's Scrooge didn't speak in an irritating, grating voice that many other movie's did. His was cold and distant, but purposefully nasty. His attitude was leave me alone and I'll leave you alone, unless you owe me money. George C. Scott always did have ways of making his characters believable, and Ebenezer Scrooge is no exception.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Version Yet
Review: I have seen this version so many times that I can almost recite it line for line. The best version of Dickens timeless classic, with strong performances by the entire cast. I also like the 1951 version with Alastair Sims, but overall, the George C. Scott version is my favorite. Do yourself a favor and forget the 1999 version with Patrick Stewart--my goodness, how did such a good actor make such a terrible film? Stick with George C. Scott and you will not regret it.
Rating:
Summary: A good version
Review: This version with George C. Scott seems to have taken some liberties with the script, making some of the language more contemporary. But the end result is excellent. I also like the Patrick Stewart version (1999), and the animated version (1970-ish) with Alastair Sim doing the voice of Scrooge.
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