Excellent version!


I didn't think anyone other than Alistair Sim could hold my belief in the role of Scrooge, much less an American, but George C. Scott proved me wrong. His performance as Eb is nothing short of marvelous, with the only shortcoming being that he's not Sim, which he couldn't help. Not once did I think of him as George Patton or Buck Turgidson. Frank Finlay matches Michael Hordern as Marley. In most Christmas Carol adaptations there is new material added onto the Dickens story, and the add-ons in this one are brilliant and witty, if not as inventive as the ones in the Sim version. For once, Tiny Tim really does look small and in jeopardy of health, in contrast to the too-healthy Tims of 1938 and 1951. The only weakness is the casting of the strong and regal David Warner as the meek and maltreated Bob Cratchit. Were it not for that, this would match the 1951 version.

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Oh, God, though, when Warner talks about passing Tim's grave and gathered with the family, I just tear up. I think he still does well as the put-upon Cratchet. It is hard to beat Johns from the '51 version, but I think what makes Bob so worthwhile is his tolerance for mistreatment and his ability to withstand much because of his love for family.

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By far my favorite version. Saw it when it aired back in the 80's and (back in the days when you bought 'TV Guide' to know what was on) I always kept my eyes open for it airing at this time. When they finally released it back in the 90's on VHS bought it as soon as I saw it.

I thought Warner did a great Bob myself, though 'Time After Time' was my favorite performance for him. He was more versitile than people give him credit for. Even in voice acting he stood out from the other VAs.

And just watched it again. Still my favorite.

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Very good - 8.5

"She let me go."
~White Oleander

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David Warner did kind of throw things off. But that was only because you don't expect an Alpha Personality like him to be in that position. But I think he did a decent job.

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I have no problems with any of the casting.

It's a very good adaptation overall and probably in my Top 3.

1951
1984
1999

That's probably how I'd go.

I wonder when we'll get another major adaptation. Seems a new one comes along every 10 to 20 years.

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I take it you're not counting Ice Cube's upcoming adaptation?

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Correct. I'm speaking of a traditional telling of the story.

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This is my favorite live action adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Scott delivers a flawless incredible performance and the supporting cast is uniformly excellent.
I just watched the Patrick Stewart 1999 film and he is very good, though the film overall is a little disappointing.
I have not seen the Sim live action version, though I have seen the excellent 1971 animated short, where he reprises the role as Scrooge.
I also want to see the Finney version and I have heard the animated Mr Magoo is worth watching, too.

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Scott killed it as Ebenezer Scrooge. I actually love all versions of A Christmas Carol. The 1984 version is my favorite though.

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Me too! I love them all. This is my current favorite but I also really love the Patrick Stewart version and The Muppets. Scrooge with Albert Finney is also wonderful and has the best scenes of Fezziwig’s Christmas party.

I must also cop to loving the Mickey Mouse version. 🙃

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This was the one I grew up watching during Christmas in the 80s-early 90s. It's a fine version of Dicken's story, though I haven't seen the earlier ones.

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