Scrooge

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!

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!

Special . This, I suppose, is the fair term about this adaptation , offering to Albert Finney the privilege to craft a great Scrooge , to Sir John Gielgud to impress as Marley and to viewer to feel a great state of spirit.

All is seductive in this musical . Maybe because it represents more than a real inspired adaptation but a pure energetic dialogue with viewer. The huge goblets, the Santa costume, the dances in spirit of old fashion musicals - just few admirable good points, provocative in same measure.

Sure, some innovations, so smart made than are more than good reflection of book spirit.

Delightful sounds reasonable for a film admirable for honesty and clever remind of the heart of Christmas.

So, spectacular in same measure.

And, no doubts, one of films fair to see time by time.

Christmas films, like Christmas songs, are a hugely personal choice, and depend so much on childhood experience. But this is one film which does not lose it's charm, no matter how often I see it. The songs, sets and costumes are fantastic, the acting is inspired, and the musical scenes are beautifully choreographed. In fact, there is no other Christmas film, which has contributed so many songs to my Christmas repertoire! The fact that this version is an English production also helps considerably in the credibility department - the accents are authentic.

Aside from the scene in "hell", this film is admirably true to the spirit and content of Dicken's text, with some inevitable cuts which frankly, I didn't miss. More importantly, I have seen no other version which manages to combine the miserable qualities of Scrooge with the touches of wit and humour which Dickens so skillfully wrote with. Other versions of the film so often succeed at being dour, while failing to capture the joyous aspects of the story, and the humour Scrooge himself sometimes provides. Happily, this version Succeeds at both.

The 1951 version of the film, with Alastair Sim as Scrooge, is often touted as being the best. This may be where my age betrays me, but when I saw it recently, it left me feeling rather flat. Sim did a good job of appearing afraid of the ghosts, but where was his bitterness, skepticism and sarcastic wit? By contrast, Albert Finney's portrayal is a joy to watch - you cannot help but both love and hate the miserable old creature, which makes his transformation at the end all the more joyous.

Highlights...

The clever use of songs like "Father Christmas" and "Thank You Very Much" to convey very different sentiments at the end of the film than they do when first introduced in eaarlier scenes - marvelous!

Albert Finney, as the hilariously miserable Scrooge, singing "I hate People"

Alec Guinness as a truly original ghost of Jacob Marley - fantastic!

Kenneth More's Ghost of Christmas Present - what presence, what a costume!

Laurence Naismith as the exuberant Fezziwig - exactly as he should be, and a good dancer too!

Edith Evans (Elderly Ghost of Christmas Past), in response to Scrooge's "You don't look like a ghost", primly replying "Thank You!".

Mrs. Cratchhit's scream of shock when she realises who is delivering the enormous turkey to her door! I could watch it a hundred times!

...and too many others to mention. This movie was released on DVD this year - by all means see it!