classicsoncall As a traditionalist, I didn't think I'd go for this musical version of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", but my low expectations were surpassed by this fine film. And almost fifty years after the fact I might add, since my viewing the other day was the first time I've seen it. The ghostly transitions were well done, with some having more of a horror element to them than prior treatments. Scrooge himself had a face that would stop a clock, which was all the more startling after seeing Albert Finney in the 'Christmas Past' portion of the story as a younger man. That was quite the makeup job! Surprisingly, the Christmas Present apparition (Kenneth More) might actually be the grandest of all the movie versions I've seen, which now total six by my best reckoning, including this one. The character exudes a marvelous appreciation for life that's infectious and really propels Ebenezer Scrooge in the right direction for reaffirming his humanity.As far as the musical numbers go, I thought they were well placed and supportive of the story's message. My initial assumption was that they had no place in an interpretation of the Dickens classic, but I've been converted otherwise. In that respect, I felt a little bit like Scrooge himself after his transformation, who came around to like life as much as I liked this picture.

Hitchcoc I was fairly impressed with Albert Finny. He has made a career out of playing sort of gruff guys (Daddy Warbucks in Annie) and so Scrooge fits him well. I was a little apprehensive because often the original songs in these films don't work very well. There is that godawful thing that was done by Kelsey Grammar, maybe the worst of all time. But these songs are catchy and they fit in well with the plot line. Of course, everyone knows the story of reclamation by the old buzzard who dotes on money, while the population suffers in the streets. I love the song "Thank You Very Much" which shows how vilified the old man is to the people he meets each day. By dying, they say, he will make the world a better place. Can you imagine that? Anyway, I have my favorites and I do love the Alaister Sim above all else followed closely by George C. Scott. But this will stand the test of time.

cdmail This rendition of Scrooge, played by Albert Finney is the best ever! He does a masterful job of capturing this old curmudgeon turned effervescent philanthropist. I love it. I'm not a huge fan of musicals but this is so well done. It's not overdone to where they break out in song every 5 or 10 minutes. There are probably 5-7 songs throughout, and they are well timed and fitting. "Thank you very much" is an often quoted classic in our household. I really love the way Finney transforms the Scrooge character at the end of the movie. I find that watching it provokes much reflection on how I'm living my life. That's one of the great messages of the movie. What are you doing with the time that's been giving you? Are you living life like you wish you would have once you find yourself at the end of the road? Well Scrooge was certainly near the end, and it was not too late to make life worth living. I try to watch this every year around Christmas time.

knight072 While they did stick, for the most part, with the original language and story. There were one or too things that were changed that annoyed me a little. a) The ghost of Christmas present was supposed to be a giant robust man with a bare chest. b) Completely missed the line 'Come in and know me better man'. c) The ghost of Christmas present was supposed to age and wither towards the end of his visit. There were other things but those were the most annoying to me.I found the singing very Oliver like and and, in my opinion, completely pointless and annoying.Overall, I did enjoy the film but being a massive fan of the book maybe I'm a little over-critical I just can not see why people feel the need to alter/embellish what is one of the finest Christmas stories ever written.