I missed the beginning few minutes of this movie, so I spent quite some time thinking that the part of Scrooge was played by Tim Robbins. Otherwise, I just stayed for the ride.
As an adaptation of Dickens' moral story, it follows the general thread pretty closely but tends to play fast and loose with many of the details. And with Dickens, the devil's all too often IN the detail.
Otherwise, it's the first musical version of Christmas Carol (so far as I recollect) which is surprising, really. If ever any stories lend themselves to musical filmography, those of Dickens do because they're so brimming with humour. Lionel Bart's outstanding production of 'Oliver' showed just what can be done way back in - what - 1969? And it was such a success that I've always been amazed that more productions didn't jump on the bandwagon. But there you go.
Still, There's plenty of songs, of a rather unmemorable kind. And there's a cast who give really vigorous - if uninvolving - returns for their paycheques. Some detailed, comparatively seamless, recreations of Victorian London provide a nice sense of place. Many entail expansive camera pans. In fact camera-work is probably its best feature. Costumes also measure-up, so to speak. It's obvious that plenty of people put a lot of thought and hard work into realising this movie.
But somehow, it just didn't gel for me. I'm an ardent Dickens fan, but I'm not a purist, and Bart's 'Oliver' still remains one of my favourite movies, as well as a favourite recreation of The Master's work. Of all criticisms, I suspect the songs were a bit too bland. No melodies were lodged in my head at the end, unlike 'Oliver'. I mean - let's be honest - Ron Moody's rendition of 'You've Got To Pick A Pocket Or two' is alone worth the price of a DVD. The ghosts could certainly have been more imaginative too, for 2004. And Ebenezer himself might have given more expression. In the end, I was left disappointed.
However, as I say; the movie has plenty of good points to recommend it. There's an astonishing number of extras wandering about for a TV movie. I just don't think you'll be investing in the soundtrack.
Consider yourself - shortchanged.
As an adaptation of Dickens' moral story, it follows the general thread pretty closely but tends to play fast and loose with many of the details. And with Dickens, the devil's all too often IN the detail.
Otherwise, it's the first musical version of Christmas Carol (so far as I recollect) which is surprising, really. If ever any stories lend themselves to musical filmography, those of Dickens do because they're so brimming with humour. Lionel Bart's outstanding production of 'Oliver' showed just what can be done way back in - what - 1969? And it was such a success that I've always been amazed that more productions didn't jump on the bandwagon. But there you go.
Still, There's plenty of songs, of a rather unmemorable kind. And there's a cast who give really vigorous - if uninvolving - returns for their paycheques. Some detailed, comparatively seamless, recreations of Victorian London provide a nice sense of place. Many entail expansive camera pans. In fact camera-work is probably its best feature. Costumes also measure-up, so to speak. It's obvious that plenty of people put a lot of thought and hard work into realising this movie.
But somehow, it just didn't gel for me. I'm an ardent Dickens fan, but I'm not a purist, and Bart's 'Oliver' still remains one of my favourite movies, as well as a favourite recreation of The Master's work. Of all criticisms, I suspect the songs were a bit too bland. No melodies were lodged in my head at the end, unlike 'Oliver'. I mean - let's be honest - Ron Moody's rendition of 'You've Got To Pick A Pocket Or two' is alone worth the price of a DVD. The ghosts could certainly have been more imaginative too, for 2004. And Ebenezer himself might have given more expression. In the end, I was left disappointed.
However, as I say; the movie has plenty of good points to recommend it. There's an astonishing number of extras wandering about for a TV movie. I just don't think you'll be investing in the soundtrack.
Consider yourself - shortchanged.