"A Christmas Carol"

Normally, this George C. Scott version of "A Christmas Carol" is not a film we would typically watch this time of year, as we tend to save our Christmas movies for the season of, well, Christmas. But I found myself looking forward to watching this movie once again, and was struck by how deeply impacting Charles Dickens's story is, especially this version. George C. Scott plays Ebenezer Scrooge brilliantly. He delivers each line with such conviction that you find yourself shaking your head and wondering, does he really believe that? Is he really that callous and un-caring? Yet you also see how he came to be the scrooge that he is, through isolation, rejection, and loss. You do see some happier times, in Scrooge's past, such as at Fessivick's Christmas party, where Scrooge dances with his Belle. However, he is consumed by greed, which leads him to the old man he is as the film begins.

The transformation Scrooge goes through, as a result of the visit from the three spirits of Christmas past, present, and yet to come, is simply brilliant. The acting is superb as you watch George C. Scott laugh with unbridled joy, and jump, yes jump up and down on his bed. In addition to George C. Scott, the acting by all the characters, especially Tiny Tim, is so well done that you find yourself deeply drawn into the ever familiar story. And, as music appropriate to the time period accompanies various scenes, you find yourself saying, along with Tiny Tim, "God bless us, everyone." A beautiful message indeed.

-Bethany

Not having seen any other versions of this film, I cannot readily or fairly compare, but I find it hard to believe that there is another version of Dickens "A Christmas Carol" that has this much life, passion, and true Christmas Spirit.  The acting is of course brilliant, and George C. Scott portrays Scrooge wonderfully, and there is not a supporting character that disappoints.  I especially enjoy the jovial Ghost of Christmas present.  It is also nice to hear the actors speaking parts of the text of the story as movie dialogue and it adds a whole new layer of realism to the movie.  The film itself feels so real.  The score, the old English carols performed by street musicians that are woven into the film, the costumes the gritty 1800's London.  It truly transports you to that time and place and I forget that it is September 2nd, 2010 main street USA.  I find myself in that other time and place experiencing a life changing journey with Ebeneezer Scrooge. 

The message of this film is one we have heard over and over.  It is a warning against greed...but it is also much more than that.  In Scrooge we see a man who has replaced everything that should matter with the one thing that truly is fleeting.  We see the consequences of such a life in the ghost of Jacob Marley, and we witness the unhappiness of a life wrought with your possessions as your only family and friends.  This is Greed in a nutshell.  Now we know that Scrooge through a series of spectral visits has a change of heart and by the end of the film comes to hold Christmas in his heart, and celebrate his wealth by sharing both his money and his good humor.  Yet I think one of the most astounding things about this story, is the way that Scrooge is portrayed as a youth and as a young man.  His time with the first spirit shows us a man who still has life, vigor and even love.  Then...those feelings are tossed aside, and he replaces love with another idol "a golden one."  This change is something that everyone should take notice of.  Because it is so easy to allow the superficial things in our life to get in the way of what truly matters....relationship.  With God, with family, with friends, and even with strangers.

-David