My Christmas annual


My favorite holiday film, the one to revisit & cherish every year. Plug for the blood bank: at two hours it's the perfect length for a platelet donation.

Beautiful craftsmanship throughout, lots to look for in repeat viewings. A couple examples: (1) Roy Kinnear & Derek Francis receding in the background as SCROOGE launches into "I Hate People." (2) the bustling festive detail of "Christmas Children." The songs are variable but beautifully orchestrated, the lesser ones improve with familarity. I have the soundtrack on record, 8-track & reel-to-reel, but will we ever see a CD version?

Most critics, particularly Pauline Kael, doled out quick dismissives, tho' there were one or two dissenting voices of reason, and the film itself has gained in stature over the years (witness it's high average rating here.) Among it's other virtues, SCROOGE is a treasure-trove time capsule of British acting talent, much as the HARRY POTTER films will be decades from now.

SCROOGE has many terrific actors I know mostly from this movie, not all by name (without checking the credits.) Bob Collings as Bob Cratchit hits the perfect note of pragmatic deference without surrendering his dignity or good nature (he's my Alternate Universe Best Supporting Actor for 1970); Scrooge's nephew, an imperturbable sunbeam of optimism; Suzanne Neve's too-brief scenes as Isabel. The "Happiness" pleasure-outing sequence (bookended by slow-motion dancing) always hits me in a tender spot, as affecting as "Feed the Birds" in MARY POPPINS. "Thank You Very Much" is staged for exhilirating impact. Could go on & on, but want to be up early for the Rose Parade. Hope everyone's Christmas was merry.










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Yes, this along with A Christmas Story are the only 2 films we watch EVERY single year at the holidays. It never gets old, in fact I love how details pop out even after 30+ viewings over the years.

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My favorite version of ''CAROL'', and there are a few actors from another of my favorite musicals (''THE SLIPPER AND THE ROSE'') in it!.

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This is the movie we watch every year on Christmas Eve. Didn't know it was loved by so many others. Merry Christmas everyone!

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I look for it every year. It's not scheduled so far at least on Time Warner where I am. Albert Finney is splendid in every way and the score is so brilliant and distinguished.

Click edit to improve spelling, grammar, content.

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I'm wondering when it will air this year also. The local paper prints a holiday TV schedule in the Thanksgiving paper, but Scrooge isn't listed anywhere.
I've already watched George C. Scott version Christmas Carol (my favorite) 5 times this week, but it's just not Christmas until I see this version too.

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I totally agree! One of the BEST!

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My first Christmas in a long time without Albert Finney & Company. I hate people!!!


New Year's Resolution: Proofread Our Posts

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perhaps people are not that fond of you either, just sayin'

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I truly thought when I came here that I would end up seeing people bash this version. It really stands out on it's own. Doing a musical, especially one about one of the most famous and well loved stories in history is not easy!

It just isn't the holidays with out this version for me as well. I am so glad to see that others enjoy it too. I love Albert, he is amazing doing Scrooge. I am either laughing at him or tearing up.

The only part I loath is his wife's singing portion. I hit the FFW on it. I can't stand the song, I can't stand the way they dressed this woman. Her hat even bugs me. It's just something about it all and I FFW right past it. Even my family does this at their home. It nags on something in our heads.

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I watch this and It's a Wonderful Life every year at Chritmas time!


Open the door for Mr. Muckle!!

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Just got the Blu Ray yesterday-It looks even better than the DVD (which was fine)and includes the original trailer. At $7.99, it's an absolute STEAL.

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I never listen to critics, what does their opinion have to do with yourself watching a movie and deciding if you like it or not? It's just not Christmas for me until I watch this. I love everything about it and consider it the best Christmas movie of all time.

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Exactly. What makes a ''critic's'' opinion better than your own?.

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It's almost like critics are there for people who can't or don't want to think for themselves.

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Beautiful movie, beautiful acting. Some minor changes to the story but not too bad. Only thing I don't like is the current use of the Christmas Yet to Come ghost as death. He is really just supposed to be mysterious, unknown. Not a skeleton!

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Well the future for Scrooge IS death so I suppose its just to add to the scary factor - for those who get scared by a coathanger covered in black on a trolley.

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Got my fix, 3 viewings this year - see you next year

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That's what we like to see - a real fan !

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I'm so glad I'm in good company. I have this on VHS. It is a holiday tradition in my household to watch this movie. Not only that, but we make references to the lines and songs throughout the year. ("I hate people", "Thank you very much", "You, You" [a BEAUTIFUL song]) Although it was nominated for 4 Oscars, I feel it just doesn't get the recognition it deserves, compared to other holiday movies.

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No, it DOESN'T get the recognition it deserves! Why is that? I stream and can find lots of other versions, but not this one. So irritating.

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