Of the literally hundreds of versions, variations and rip-offs of this classic book, none have ever captured the unique flavor or charm that is this version that originally aired on CBS in 1984.
You know the story: miser Ebeneezer Scrooge is shown the errors of his ways one Christmas night by three spirits who represent the past, present and future.
George C. Scott was simply destined to play Scrooge and he does a marvelous job. The cast makes for great support as well, with a cargo of famed British actors including Roger Rees, David Warner, Michael Gough and Michael Carter. They all provide fine support for Scott.
The design and dialog is truly Dickens. In fact, the lines are verbatim to the book. The film looks gorgeous and you actually feel as if the characters are really inhabiting this world.
The visual tricks with the three ghosts are unsettling and eerie but never go to far over the top. They struck the right balance in making them scary but still benevolent. The music is also really good, being both uplifting and tragic.
What else can I say? When it comes to "A Christmas Carol," George did it and he did it the best.
You know the story: miser Ebeneezer Scrooge is shown the errors of his ways one Christmas night by three spirits who represent the past, present and future.
George C. Scott was simply destined to play Scrooge and he does a marvelous job. The cast makes for great support as well, with a cargo of famed British actors including Roger Rees, David Warner, Michael Gough and Michael Carter. They all provide fine support for Scott.
The design and dialog is truly Dickens. In fact, the lines are verbatim to the book. The film looks gorgeous and you actually feel as if the characters are really inhabiting this world.
The visual tricks with the three ghosts are unsettling and eerie but never go to far over the top. They struck the right balance in making them scary but still benevolent. The music is also really good, being both uplifting and tragic.
What else can I say? When it comes to "A Christmas Carol," George did it and he did it the best.