MovieChat Forums > A Christmas Carol (1984) Discussion > Was Scrooge really sorry?

Was Scrooge really sorry?

posted 8 years ago by fleurfairy
6 replies | jump to latest

In several other versions of this story, and even in the book itself, we see scenes of Scrooge in the Past and even more so in the Present exhibiting sorrow and shame. But not really in this film. Scrooge is especially argumentative to the Spirit of Christmas Present when in the actual Dickens story, he was chastened by him. I just felt like Scrooge's transformation wasn't genuine or sincere in this. The only time he felt remorse is when he saw his own grave. How convenient.

[–] angmc43 8 years ago

George C. Scott is a tough nut to crack. His transformation is more subtle, showing a little weakness here and there before retreating back to his tough facade. His regret over Fan before first defending his choice, and then exploding in denial over that regret. The compassion to Tim (noting his siblings carrying him, saying "Amen"). His confrontation with Ignorance and Want. His look at Tim's death. All show his human side.
The film begins with him sure and unyielding in his pride and beliefs, but with each Ghostly visit his pride weakens. With Past he is usually cool and able to parry her truthful comments, until it becomes too much and he loses his cool. With Christmas Present, he may argue with him, but he is in the losing side of that battle. It gets worse with the Yet to Come, as most of Scrooge's defensive protests crumble before the Ghost's insistence, forcing his submission to his/its wishes. Seeing his grave was the final straw in smashing away his pride.

[–] JR541 7 years ago

I agree. It's very subtle but it's there. I believed he was sorry.

He's taking the knife out of the Cheese!
Do you think he wants some cheese?

[–] sommert-507-32566 7 years ago

Same here. I actually like the way he did it, because he'd take a step forward (like talking about he and Fen when he left school with genuine emotion and affection) but would then take 9/10 of a step back afterward. Which made it more believeable for lack of a better term. He's been determined in his ways for so long, making him change had to be done in steps. Remembering who he was when he actually enjoyed life in youth, seeing how people are alive in the present in a way he used to be, but is not any longer for contrast, then of course the inevitability of what happens after he dies.

He was never 'evil' in the classic sense, he simply set out on a path that made him lose touch with everything else until nothing touched him any longer and thus, he cared about nothing else. Once the ground on his old feelings were broken, and the soil tilled so to speak, out grew the 'reborn' Scrooge.

[–] Scarecrow-88 7 years ago

Right on!

I noticed and appreciated the nuances of his performance this early Christmas morning. The way Scott shows him contemplating and debating what he sees in his mind when taken to different parts of his life, addressing things he has kept buried away and entombed. When you have gradually, voluntarily said no to positive, happy situations which would have made life better due to how the past at first treated you and you see what is missing, it brings about a lot of conflicting emotions and thoughts. But like you said, he's hardened his heart to such a degree it takes much to eventually break down the strongholds.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (47421091) 8 years ago

Scott is my second favorite Scrooge after Sim, but it's a distant second for the reasons you stated. I don't know if it was direction or Scott's interpretation, but he didn't show nearly the fear that he should have, at least according to the novella.

Sim had all the gravitas when dealing with Marley, but this strong facade was clearly covering up the fear bubbling below the surface, something Sim portrayed brilliantly. It wasn't so clear with Scott.

To be fair to Scott, improving his performance would have meant coming close to duplicating Sim's.

[–] boll-weavil 7 years ago

I absolutely agree with this. I believe the fault lies always with the scriptwriter.The transformation of Scrooge is central to the books success and in it, as Scrooge is shown the error of his ways, he gradually comes to realise how previous mistakes have led to present unhappiness.This is the beauty and art of the book as his character is gradually unpicked and the damage recognised and, as far is possible, undone. For cinematic purposes this subtlety just doesn't give the thrill of sudden climactic change so let's forget it and just portray him as someone who is really bad and needs shocking transformation.So many versions have done this ! Scott is probably the most evident and we seem him maliciously responding to everyone in his path. Sim has the same representation but his characterization attracts more sympathy even if he is still arguing 'I'm too old to change' at the end. The result of this though is that we see a Scrooge suddenly transformed by his own death scene and that, for me, is ultimately unconvincing and even slightly selfish.Scrooge isn't 'born bad', he is the result of wrong decisions and fear which we see in the visitation of the first ghost.For us to feel sympathy with him we need to feel we could have also made those wrong decisions and therefore delight with him to see there actually is a way back from them.