This is going to sound weird coming from a young man, but I wish A CHRISTMAS CAROL had been longer, because the plot was too rushed. Script writer Hugo Butler added a new unnecessary subplot that wastes time. Luckily, Reginal Owen's performance is very good.
This is my very favorite version of all of the versions. I will agree that I could do with more and more of this movie but I still gave it 10/10! I watch it every year.
shareSame here, I've seen it a million times! It was just on and I always love it, it always makes me cry. The movie has it's flaws but it still makes it's point about Christmas.
shareAs much as I love this version, (although the Albert Finney version is my fave) the major gripe I have is that the Cratchits appeared far too well off for the meager salary Bob Cratchit was making. Their home was well-kept and nicely furnished, and the family members were well-dressed and apparently well fed (Bob). Just seems to be more effective in other versions when the Cratchit seem in much more desperate straits.
shareA lively version fairly accurate to the book. The special effects were good for the time and the first two ghosts were well done. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come made the same mistake as in a few other versions, of having perfectly normal healthy hands showing so you know it's just some dude in a robe. In the Ghost of Christmas Past segment I thought I saw an insect fly by, unsuited to winter. In the same segment, I wonder if this was the first version to change Scrooge's sister from Fan to Fran. How early did Fanny take on a dirty meaning in England and Ireland? In the Ghost of Christmas Present segment, Bob Cratchit's wife happily toasts Scrooge, a change from the book and most other versions. Like a few other versions, this followed the book in having Scrooge put on his dressing-gown over his clothes, but you can't really tell till he takes it off as he removed his coat before putting on the dressing-gown. This explains how he dressed so fast to be ready to receive the turkey. In the versions where he's wearing a nightgown I always wondered how he dressed so fast. The lad playing Tiny Tim was very animated and played the role well, but he was just too old and/or tall for the part. Overall a good version.
shareI just finished watching it and I loved it. It does diverge from the novella in several places, seems rushed at times, and Tiny Tim sure didn't look so tiny but overall I'd say it's an excellent film. One of my favorite adaptations of A Christmas Carol. 9/10
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