Scrooge

Are you interested in seeing A Christmas Carol as a musical? You've got several options (since the Public Domain makes it easy for budding songwriters to write music without securing any exclusive rights). I've seen at least four musicals, and I recommend the Albert Finney version. Leslie Bricusse's songs are delightful, the production values are surprisingly good, and Albert Finney is the lead! In a wonderful treat (and the only version I can remember that does this), Albert plays both the main Scrooge and the younger version in the past flashbacks. Usually, it's a role sought out in an actor's middle-age, but since Albert was so young in 1970, he merely covered himself up in unrecognizable makeup during the main meat of the movie. For a few minutes, we get to see him in his true handsome glory, and it's a lot of fun. In either case, young or old, he's a great actor believable in hero or villain roles, which makes him a wonderful Ebenezer Scrooge.

And did you know that he could sing? You'll get to hear a variety of original songs in this movie, from the sweet to the sad, the heartwarming to the funny. Alec Guinness, Kenneth More, Laurence Naismith, Suzanne Neve, Richard Beaumont, and David Collings join in on the musical fun; and Anton Rodgers leads the chorus in the most memorable "Thank You Very Much." It's a very sad scene (the entire town is thanking Scrooge for dying), but the song itself is adorable and will keep you singing it for years to come.

This version might not be the one you watch every year on Christmas Eve, but if it's been a while since you saw it, rent it again this December. There are many little touches that will continue to impress you whenever you do watch it. Details remind you that the writers clearly studied the original text, the production design and costumes make you feel as though you're experiencing the bitter cold alongside them, and Albert Finney makes you want to wrap him up in a hug. No, not because of his twinkling eyes and sparkling smile. Just as he completely transformed himself as Hercule Poirot, you'll forget there's a young, handsome man underneath the makeup of Ebenezer Scrooge. He's a lonely, crotchety old man you'll feel sorry for, and when you see the Ghost of Christmas Past flashbacks, you'll practically forget it's the same actor!

In 1860, the stingy and cranky Ebenezer Scrooge (Albert Finney) that hates Christmas; loathes people and defends the decrease of the surplus of poor population runs his bank exploiting his employee Bob Cratchit (David Collings) and clients, giving a bitter treatment to his own nephew and acquaintances. However, in the Christmas Eve, he is visited by the doomed ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley that tells him that three spirits would visit him that night. The first one, the spirit of past Christmas, recalls his miserable youth when he lost his only love due to his greed; the spirit of the present Christmas shows him the poor situation of Bob's family and how joyful life may be; and the spirit of future Christmas shows his fate. Scrooge finds that life is good and time is too short and suddenly you are not there anymore, changing his behavior toward Christmas, Bob, his nephew and people in general.

This musical adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens to the screen is one of those optimistic films that follows the style of Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life". The redemption of the mean Ebenezer Scrooge in a Christmas Eve is one of the most known worldwide novels and in this version, Albert Finney one of his finest performances surprisingly not nominated to the Oscar. In Brazil, this enjoyable family entertainment was released on DVD by Paramount Distributor. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Adorável Avarento" ("Adorable Stingy")

Makes me cry and also laugh.Heartwarming and uplifting. Great music. Lovely, atmospheric sets.

This film is an underrated classic family musical. In the spirit and tradition of Oliver! and My Fair Lady, with an energetic memorable score and an eclectic cast all on top form. Sir Alec Guinness, Dame Edith Evans and the wonderful Kenneth Moore support magnificently. Moore in one of the last roles before his untimely death, clearly enjoying hamming it up as the ghost of Christmas present carrying the miserable scrooge along for the ride of his life whilst singing `I like life!' is a joy to see.

But Finney's performance is the standout. At a time when he was making films like Charlie Bubbles and Gumshoe, and with a reputation of being one of Britain's foremost angry young men this role was as unexpected as it was wonderful.

As a side note I was lucky enough to be able to see Anthony Newley as the miser in Bricusse's early nineties theatrical revival, and although good was no where near as cutting or humorous as Finney.

A must see at Christmas time, you too will be singing `I like life' and `thank you very much' for days afterwards!

Scrooge is one of the best A Christmas Carol adaptations ever made. It puts you in a mood unlike any other adaptation, and-most uniquely- it's a musical version.

Most people reading this is probably familiar with the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, his hate for Christmas, and his transformation due to the visit of 3 spirits. While this is one of the most known and most re-told stories, Scrooge, this 49 year old re-telling, makes it fresh and exciting.

The soundtrack is great, with 2 stand out songs I would like to mention- Thank You Very Much and I Like Life.

The former is first sung when Scrooge sees his future if he doesn't change. Every one in town is celebrating Scrooge for a deed he has done, and invisible Scrooge thinks it's his change.

However, after he celebrates with them with the words "Thank you very much, thank you very much, that's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me!", he soon finds out the nice deed is that HE DIED. Luckily for Scrooge, his transformation leads to the town singing the song for a much better reason.

The latter song is sung with Scrooge and The Ghost for Christmas Present, who teaches the miser that you're foolish to think life is something to despise-it's really something to celebrate. And THIS song is reprises when Scrooge changes as well.

The acting is done well also, Albert Finney is a convincing Scrooge, and I really thought he was elderly, then I realized that he is younger looking in Annie, which came out 12 years LATER. Point being-make up was amazing even in 1970!

If you say "Bah, Humbug" to so many versions of the Dickens tale, I suggest trying this one. I've seen it about half a dozen times, and it makes me feel good every time. Even if musicals aren't your cup of tea, you'd be a Scrooge yourself to hate this movie!