Scrooge

If I had to guess, this is probably the movie I have seen the most often in my life. I have seen it at least once a year for as long as I can remember, thanks to it being a favorite Christmas movie for my Mom and Dad. I thought it was okay as a kid, but I have grown to love it as an adult. The music is catchy, the acting is fine, and it has one of my favorite versions of the Ghost of Christmas Present. All told this might be my favorite telling of "A Christmas Carol".

Great movie

One of my favorite Christmas movies of all time! Albert Finney is fantastic.

Anyone already familiar with the legendary Albert Finney should not be surprised at the deftness with which he plays not just Scrooge the wizened old miser, but also Scrooge a very young man, something no one else has done in the many film adaptations I am aware of for "A Christmas Carol."First, I want to point out to the many of you who have seen this air on your local TV stations over the years that this DVD is definitely worth it, if for no other reason that there are several scenes missing from the broadcast version, which had about fifteen minutes total edited out.The entre' act credit sequence featuring the film's music overplaying multiple London street scene paintings is completely intact, including the final scene with the director credit showing an up close painting of a street lamp that slowly dissolves into an actual street with lamp on the first frame of the actual movie itself.The famous "Thank You Very Much" musical section is also complete, including the parts normally chopped out for TV, where the people dance across the casket on the carriage.The hell scene, which is completely absent from the TV version, is all here, which I find especially pleasing, as it gives greater context to his conversion, and also because it provides one more chance for Alec Guinness to display his great talents.One thing that makes this musical so much better than many others of its type is that the story does not become subordinate to the numbers, instead remaining dominant, with the music actually adding real depth and emotion to it, especially "Thank You Very Much" (sardonic humor), "Happiness" (the joy of young love), "You...You" (regret over a fateful mistake), and "I Like Life" (joy rekindled).The actors who portray Christmas Past (Dame Edith Evans) and Christmas Present (Kenneth Moore) are both spot on in their roles, with Evans having a regal bearing and Moore having a brassy and humorous persona, all the more pronounced when asked by Scrooge "What will happen to the boy?" and responding with a scowl by repeating Scrooge's own words "Let him do it quickly, and decrease the surplus population."The scenes where Scrooge partakes of "The Milk of Human Kindness" are infectious, as he becomes drunk with a sensation he has clearly not felt for decades.Finney's range is amazing, as he goes from somewhat shy young man in love, to adult becoming obsessed with work and money, to aging, spiteful miser.Alec Guinness as the ghost of Jacob Marley is as good as it gets for this role, using no CGI to manage the role of apparition, complete with chain of his life's burdens and the cloth customarily used in that time to tie the mouth shut on the dead.Guinness moves his body almost as if underwater, and his dark humor really strengthens the dread of what awaits an unrepentant Scrooge.The scene with the door knocker will really chill your bones, as well as the ghostly carriage drifting by.The Cratchit family is just as they should be, with Bob (David Collings) standing tall despite their difficulties, and Tiny Tim (Richard Beaumont) being particularly appealing.Scrooge's nephew (Michael Medwin) is also excellent, showing what Scrooge could have been if he had not taken a wrong turn.Finney is probably at his best after he awakens on Christmas morning and makes amends for his old ways, especially his visit with the Cratchits in disguise.If you have already seen the TV version, this DVD is definitely worth it for the missing footage and picture quality.If you have not seen this version of the classic Charles Dickens story, you are in for a real treat, as this is the finest version of the many filmed adaptions out there.One last comment, but what in the world was Amazon's editorial reviewer Tom Keogh thinking when he wrote "The songs, which absorb so much of the evolving story line and emotions, are not all that good?"I suppose some people get it, while others lash out in frustration instead.

Great musical!! But not too much music as some movies have. Loved this version of the Dickenson classic!! Truly shows the difference of the haves & have nots. Also shows that happiness is found in the smallest things or events, not just in monetary gain. I loved this version!! Serious yet with a touch of fun.

There are many different film versions of the ultimate Christmas story A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This movie came out when I was a kid in 1970 and I can still remember the joy and seasonal spirit it instilled in me. I needed to have this blu ray version of SCROOGE and it is superb. It still amazes me how the blu ray treatment can take a film, no matter how old, and work its magic. The video here is superb. It has some grain due to age but it only helps preserve the look the film wants to have. Colors are vibrant and pop. Black/white ratio is excellent. Skin tones are realistic and the present clarity and crispness brings even the smallest detail in each picture frame to new life. The special effects used for the ghosts though from decades ago were so well done that they still work perfectly. And the audio is even better than the video. Dialogue is always strong and present and when the glorious soundtrack plays or the excellent songs burst forward they utilize all the surround speakers to full effect yet never drown the dialogue.Albert Finney was perfectly cast as Scrooge and gives a class and integrity to this musical project as he portrays Scrooge as a young man and an old geezer. The story is not toyed with at all and for those cynics out there who thought a musical SCROOGE would never work this film comes to new depth made as a musical. The songs I HATE PEOPLE and FATHER CHRISTMAS are sublime but out of all the excellent songs THANK YOU VERY MUCH is the magical musical gem here. Every time I watch this superb film this is the song that fills me with joy as I hum, sing and tap along. The production number is sublime as are all the numbers. I simply can't praise the movie enough nor its superb transfer to blu ray. This was the year that I decided I need to add some holiday films to my collection and this film was at the top of the list. For me this film brings out the true spirit of the holiday season and the songs add yet another dimension to an already tried and true story. Albert Finney reigns supreme and this film is a holiday classic deserving a special place in your collection. Highest recommendation especially for the excellent blu ray transfer. Watch the film come to new life before your eyes.

Great movie!It arrived in two weeks from the UK to Canada! Even though Amazon said it would be 4-6 weeks.

For its age it’s a great transfer of a great film. Highly recommend

The best scrooge in the history of scrooge movies! Brilliant! 10/10

J'ai acheté ce film pour les enfants, mais aussi pour me faire plaisir! je l'ai vu 400 fois, mais je ne m'en lasse pas.Pour moi ce conte est un magnifique conte de Noël et les acteurs supers. je préfère cette version à d'autres.Il y a pas mal de chansons et en mettant les sous-titres, on peut chanter en famille ;-)

This movie is a tradition for Christmas in our family and this blu ray did not disappoint. The picture quality was actually amazing for a movie from the 70s, they increased the resolution and crisped up the image and it looks amazing.The movie itself is an incredible musical and one of my favorite renditions of scrooge.Between the quality of the movie itself and the picture quality on this blu ray I would deffinitly recommend this to anyone interested in adding to their Christmas collection.