I am something of a Christmas Carol junkie, and this is one of the best adaptations I've ever seen. It reminds me quite a bit of the George C. Scott version (and even has a couple of the same cast members in very small roles), but Patrick Stewart and Richard Grant are wonderful here. I was initially suspicious of this adaptation; it was a made-for-TNT movie, but it surpassed all of my expectations. Great movie!
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I love love love most of the Christmas Carols!
This is my favorite one, but I do have a very tender spot in my heart for the 1970 version with Albert Finney!
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I think it's the closest to the actual book.
(Palpatine Holds up a femur bone) Lord Vader...this is Padme.
VADER: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
It's the most like the book, but I'm not sure that it is the very best. don't get me wrong, I loved it. I just felt that it was missing something that the George C. Scott version got right. I chalk it up to it being a made for TNT movie that has to follow comercial pacing and television budgets (not so many dramatic moves with the camera, a shooting schedule that didn't let them shoot a scene until it was beyond perfect)
The High Point for me was the Ghost of Christmas Present. it really was about perfect.
I found this recent Patrick Stewart version surprisingly good, although it isn't my favourite. In our household we watch four film adaptations every Christmas season, and since last year I've added a couple of others to my collection but am trying to hold off watching them until Christmas! Here are my brief comments on the four:
1938 Reginald Owen - entertaining and well intended but takes far too many liberties with Dickens' novel, and Scrooge repents way too early.
1951 Alastair Sim - the classic and overall best, despite embellishments and deviations from the novel. Sim is Ebeneezer Scrooge, his repentance rings true.
1984 George C. Scott - great festive atmosphere and musical score. Scott cuts a fine figure with his sideburns but is enjoying himself a wee bit too much in the role! Nephew Fred is a little too quiet, not jolly enough. Best Tiny Tim, endearing and sickly looking with dark circles under his eyes.
1999 Patrick Stewart - most faithful to the novel. It's a little darker than the others and Stewart is the meanest Scrooge. My favourite Fred, he's just so hearty! Best depiction of the Cratchits' poverty, poor Bob looks absolutely haggard.
I think the scene that sold me on this version was at the very end when Scrooge is outside Fred's house. He's trying to work up the courage to go up and knock on the door and be let in, and he paces back and forth. That to me really showed the depth of the character, that he'd repented and realized how much of an idiot he'd been and the consequences to mending the relationships.
Jack
When men come to like a sea-life, they are not fit to live on land...
–Dr. Samuel Johnson, 1776
Echoing this post from over 10 years ago, this is also my favorite adaptation and I am always pleased to be able to watch it.
sharePretty good - 7.5
"She let me go."
~White Oleander