This is one of my favorite movies!
There are so many aspects of this holiday season that are wonderful to me: getting together with loved ones, friends and family alike; the spirit of giving that I hope continues to grow; celebrations; the holiday music; and the memories of happy times. Among the favorite memories I have are a few specific Christmas movies.
The movie I will talk about today is Scrooge with Albert Finney as the star; he does a magnificent job in his performance as the miserly and misanthropic loan-shark. This musical version of A Christmas Carol is one of the finest filmic adaptations of the classic Christmas Eve ghost story and morality tale. This film follows the story closely with Scrooge being visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, of Christmas Present, and of Christmas Future. Among the movies best songs are Scrooge singing “I Hate People” which clearly shows his despicable and greedy nature, “Thank You Very Much” in which a tap dance is done on Scrooge’s coffin in the future, and “I Like Life” in which the ghost of Christmas Present teaches Scrooge about experiencing life as well as having empathy for others.
https://christmascarolindoha.wikispaces.com
This movie does an excellent job of showing Dickens’ critique of a greed based society and one that did little or nothing to help alleviate the enormous difficulties of the poor. When first confronted by the ghost of his dead partner Marley, Scrooge tells him that he was always a good man of business. Marley’s ghost responds, “Mankind should be our business.” This is a sentiment that stands today. We should be putting the good of humanity above the pursuit of greed.
I was a teenager when this movie was first released in 1970, and I loved seeing it with two of my closest friends. We were captivated by the music and the story, and it remains as powerful to me as when I first saw it. If you have never had the opportunity to see this particular film, I give it my highest recommendation.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/
I also remind all of us, in paraphrasing the Master Charles Dickens, that we must always remember to make the good of others our business. That matters more than accumulation of wealth.
My favorite adaptation of A Christmas Carol is the 1984 version starring George C. Scott.
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That one is excellent.
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I like that one too.
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A timeless story for sure.
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Yes, it is.
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My late father gifted us with one or two volumes by Charles Dickens, your lovely review is a sweet reminder and very timely!
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Thank you very much!
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It’s a pleasure (always!)! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and wish you all the best in 2020…
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Thank you, and Happy New Year!
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I like this version, but I’d have to say my favorite version is the one with George C. Scott. Just something about that craggy face of his was perfect for Ebenezer Scrooge. I also loved the opulence of the Ghost of Christmas Present.
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I agree that the George C. Scott version is also excellent.
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Thank you for recommending this fabulous movie, Charles Always a pleasure to watch. Michael
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You are welcome, Michael.
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Somehow I missed this one. I need to see it!
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It is wonderful!
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While I liked this movie, and I love musicals, I was never a fan of this movie being a musical. My favorite was the George C. Scott version, and the original 1938 version. Scrooge was as genuine as a grumpy old scrooge and also as a laughing man who found the way. Our son adored Mickey’s Christmas, the Disney version. He even watched it in August! To this day, it brings fond family memories, and that movie is now a favorite with his children. As a mother and a teacher, it helped to give him values and kindness.
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Yes, it is a wonderful version.
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🙂
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I’d never heard of this version. Will seek it out.
Saturnalian salutations.
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Thank you!
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Excellent rendition. ‘Thank You Very Much’ is one of my fav songs and I find myself singing it at different times of the year. Merry Christmas to you, Charles French.
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Thank you! And Merry Christmas!
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