That was an excellent one.

Don't Believe the Hype

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

This movie has become a Christmas tradition in our household. George C. Scott is amazing as Scrooge and every British actor in the movie is spot-on for The Victorian English tale. My favorite smaller role would have to be the ghost of Christmas present who is hilarious in his wit and retorts to Scrooge's dourness. It is as realistic as this story can get and does not downplay the seriousness of Scrooge's situation as well as not over indulging in the sweetness when Scrooge has his revelation. By far my favorite Christmas story!

a well known story. and its impeccable adaptation. this is all. George C. Scott does the perfect Scrooge because he has the gift to impose to you to ignore the expected story of Dickens. all begins in the moment of the first scene. and this change everything. because Elbenezer Scrooge is...different. its story is not exactly a metamorphose but result of evolution. George C. Scott explores in the right manner the frustrations and the meet with the spirits and the new day who impose a new perspective about life. and this does this version special. because it is a film of details more than the film of a classic book. the atmosphere of London, the small gestures, the humanity of each character are admirable. and, after the final credits, you discover a significant truth who is out of aesthetic rank or moral lessons- it is the expected story from the period of childhood.

This is the best version of A Christmas Carol. While the Patrick Stewart version is more faithful to the book, this has a better supporting cast by far. Edward Woodward is GREAT as the ghost of Christmas past (none better), and David Warner makes a rare appearance as a Good Guy in the role of Bob Crachit and is GREAT(none better), and Susanna York as Mrs Crachit is excellent, Frank Finlay as Marley was Very Good (none better), but Roger Rees (Cheers fame)as nephew Fred is Fantastic (none better). The Tiny Tim (often a sticking point) is Very Good in appearance and saying his lines, and doesn't disappoint. The rest are very good, and GC Scott was born to play Scrooge, as NO other actor makes you believe they are a nasty, stingy miser like Scott does. The moment of Transformation to good is done well, and the scenes afterward are excellent. The payoff is very satisfying in this version - above or equal to all others. So this one gets the 10 based the number of Great Actors & performances, and Top Scrooge.

This TV movie of "A Christmas Carol" is one of only three films of the Dickens classic to receive major award nominations. George C. Scott was nominated for an Emmy award for his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge. The 1999 TV movie starring Patrick Stewart received an Emmy nomination for cinematography. The other film, the 1970 musical version "Scrooge," received four Academy Award nominations. This 100-minute production has a good rendition of the Charles Dickens story. While Scott's Scrooge is very good, he gives a nuance to the character that doesn't seem quite right. He smiles at times when making a put down or derisive comment. That becomes more striking, in retrospect, with his late conversion, which then seems much less convincing. One can understand why fine actors (of which Scott is one) would want to play Scrooge and remake the story on film in succeeding decades. It's a true testimonial to the brilliant and timeless book by Dickens. And, it is also evidence of the love great actors have for the theater, and of the challenge they have to tackle stories and roles that already have achieved excellence. The rest of the cast are OK, for the most part, but no other performances are notable. Some things that take away from the film. The most bothersome is the musical score. At times, it is much too loud and heavy, and at other times it just doesn't suit the scene. The setting doesn't seem quite real. Scrooge's home is very neat and tidy. The street sets, especially of the town, seem too clean and unreal – sort of a feel one gets from CGI. Still, this is a decent portrayal and film, and one worth watching. It's the best movie of "A Christmas Carol" made for TV. But it's not one to keep in place of the 1938, 1951 or 1970 films.