Scrooge (1970)

I enjoyed the film and the songs. I especially liked " Thank You Very Much" and "Happiness", written by Leslie Bricusse. The critics panned the film but I enjoyed it and thought it was different to see a musical version of "A Christmas Carol". Unfortunately, I don't have cable TV so I can't see it anymore on TV. I saw it back in 1970 at the Radio City Music Hall plus I got a live Christmas show,too. It cost about $2.50 then! I thought Albert Finney was very good as Mr. Scrooge. Alec Guiness dis a strange performance of Marley's Ghost. The sets showing Victorian London looked very authentic. I wish they would make musicals like this rather than these silly teenage comedies.

Fmovies: Perhaps one becomes a Scrooge about "A Christmas Carol", a good story that's been done to death. I saw this movie when it first came out (I was nine) and remembered enjoying it but the only thing I remembered was some people dancing on a coffin. This is still the best version of that scene. The writing of the scene is excellent -- in a few words but good images. I have no nostalgia about having seen something as a child. In this version the acting is uniformly good, by some of Britain's finest actors (Finney, Guinness, More, Evans, Collings, and especially the small part with Anton Rogers). The movie's design is beautiful and stylistic, comparable to "Oliver". The songs aren't as good as "Oliver"'s, but they carry the plot, making scenes that are sometimes interminable in other versions brisk. Is it Dickens? Who cares? Too many films of Dickens ignore the author's bouyancy and humour, and this film's a lot of fun, it's scarey at times (for younger folks -- though by today's standards the ghost bits are crude). Anyone who's weary of the myriad redundant versions of this exhausted story and think anyone who suggests the idea of a movie or tv character visited by three ghosts at Christmastime should be boiled in their own pudding, this is the version that will keep you from saying "Bah, Humbug" to the umpteenth version of this otherwise grating story. You may once again believe in "A Christmas Carol".

''Scrooge'' a lavish musical version of Charles Dickens ''A Christmas Carol'' is also one of the best yuletide films ever made. The story, which recounts the strange and wonderful events which cause a miserable miser to reform, lends itself beautifully to a musical format. Though this was not the first ''Carol'' to be set to music, it is easily the best. The acting, by a seasoned British cast, is wonderful.Albert Finney does not ''act'' the part of Ebenezer Scrooge, he IS Scrooge. Ably supported by Dame Edith Evans, Alec Guinnes and Kenneth More, he brings both humanity and pathos to his portrayal. The songs, by Leslie Bricusse (''Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory'') are both haunting and moving, and, when the occasion calls for it, upbeat and jolly as well. The production itself, well directed by Ronald Neame (''Great Expectations'') is handsomely filmed and suitable for all ages. Among the supporting cast, both Laurence Naismith and Kay Walsh (also in Neame's classic ''Oliver Twist') stand out as Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwigg. Making a very auspicious film debut is Suzanne Neve, who makes a lovely Isabel, Scrooge's lost love. The orchestrations present the score to great advantage, and the excellent widescreen photography brings a fairy tale London to life. There are other fine adaptations out there, most notably ''Magoo's Christmas Carol'' (with it's terrific score), and Alastair Sim's ''Scrooge'', a somewhat darker version, but this one can stand with the best of them. Incidentally,the film was a box office failure back when it premiered in 1970, (though it broke records at the Radio City Music Hall) but subsequent television airings have alerted audiences to it's many virtues-and made it a Classic for all time.

Scrooge fmovies. I watched this movie again this year. It has become a tradition in our household as one the family activities of the Christmas season. When it came out of DVD last year, I was thrilled to see it widescreen since I had never seen it in the theaters.

I see so many of the "professional" reviews pan this movie. My advice is to ignore them. Why do we listen to people who wouldn't know how to choreograph the most basic dance scene or perform the visually flawless flying wire shots. I appreciate the movie more and more each time I see it. The skill of the filmmaker is evident. I am very curious about the original 2.5 hour version talked about in several of these posts. I would like to know if this really exist. However, I might be disappointed since I have grown to love this film in this version.

Scrooge is one of those films where you can sit down and let it wash all over you. Finney is the perfect Scrooge: despicable, mean, sarcastic and a lot better than others who have portrayed the miserly character. Scrooge's love and loss of Isabelle is touching as is Tiny Tim's song about his dream of Christmas. The depth of feeling, character and love combines into this absolutely wonderful musical which, while showing the horrific differences between the two classes of society, shows how they can be combined with a little Christmas cheer. By the end of the film, you might just find that there is a little more to Christmas than you thought. I dare you to watch it and sing along to all those catchy numbers!

In response to the other comment posted, I can agree. This version is not suitable for ALL ages. Parents should be advised to monitor their small children and perhaps omit the more dramatic scenes involving the Ghost of Christmas Future. When I share this movie with little friends under 12, I take care to either distract them from those sections, or omit them, thanks to the power of the fast-forward button. (But really, today's kids 8-9 and up see way more violent & scary stuff these days!)

However, having said that, I own a copy and have watched it faithfully every Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for nigh onto 20 years. It renews my spirit and reminds me of my responsibilities as a human being.

At the tender age of 12, my Dad took me to see "Scrooge" in the theater when it was released for Christmas. At only 12 years of age, the scenes of the Ghost of Christmas Future were quite vivid.

However, the movie made such an impression on me that it influenced my entire Life philosophy. "Mankind is our business" says Dickens through the Ghost of Christmas Present. This joyful movie filled with wonderful songs that bring me the Christmas Spirit every year. It also imparts the value of staying connected to matters of the spirit and heart, and illustrates the difficulties that arise when ones focus becomes only the material or the monetary. That is a valuable lesson to us all, not just at Christmas, but the whole year through.

I recommend this movie to everyone. Personally, I find it much more engaging and inspiring, not to mention, colorful, than any other version. The performances of all the actors are very entertaining. If you're the sentimental type, keep a hankie close by when Tiny Tim sings for his family at Christmas. What an angel!

Just my 2 cents worth!