I have seen many different versions of this story and I think that after the 1984 version with George C. Scott they should have stopped making remakes. I am not saying subsequent versions are bad (the Patrick Stewart version is excellent),but that the Scott version is so perfect and well-crafted that there is simply no need to try again! Scot is the best Scrooge--with malevolence and selfishness in spades! In addition, despite this, there is a deeper humanity about his character and the writers were brilliant to focus so much on the societal aspects of the story as well. The hungry masses were only alluded to or shown in a cleaned up way in other versions, but here starvation and desolation are ugly and important to the plot and are just as Dickens had intended. Other stories have tended to focus too much on Scrooge while sometimes ignoring the important allegorical aspects of the tale. Dickens felt it was not so much a Christmas story but a story of the responsibility the rich have to their fellow man.

I was interested in seeing this version of A Christmas Carol for two primary reasons. One is that I am a huge fan of the timeless story and of the 1951 classic Scrooge with Alistair Sim. Two is that I consider George C. Scott a fine actor, having loved him in Dr Strangelove, Anatomy of a Murder and Patton. I will admit I initially worried about Scott being Scrooge, and it has nothing to do with his acting but that I worried he was too American for the role.

No fear of that really, Scott is simply brilliant as Scrooge. As fond as I am of Sim, Scott is on towering form with a perfect balance of being gruff and cantankerous and being honest and sympathetic. And he is splendidly supported by a great supporting cast, with Roger Rees outstanding and Frank Finlay a splendid Jacob Marely. But I say the standouts of the supporting cast are Edward Woodward in robust form as the Ghost of Christmas Present and David Warner perfect as the humble Bob Cratchitt. That said, it is Scott's film all the way. It is not only the cast that impresses though. The story here is beautifully told, and I agree that this is the truest adaptation to the book and I also think this is the version with the most touching Tiny Tim.

Then there is the period detail. I have seen my share of films and TV programmes that do a brilliant job recreating the Victorian atmosphere and this is no exception. The costumes are beautifully tailored, the make up is very nice, the photography is excellent and the sets and scenery are breathtaking. Nick Bicat's music is both beautiful and haunting, and gives real emotional weight to the scenes that need it, especially in the scenes with the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Directing wise, Clive Donner does a much better job directing than he did with his 1982 version of Oliver Twist(also starring Scott as Fagin, surprisingly good he was too seeing as Fagin is not really an easy character to play),though he directed decently then too. Here he seems more at home, and manages to create a realistic yet somewhat homely atmosphere. Plus the script was very good too and sticks to the story remarkably well.

Overall, this is a pretty darn good adaptation of a wonderful story and a wonderful film in general and well worth watching for George C.Scott's superb performance alone. 10/10 Bethany Cox

As the celebration of Christmas has evolved through the years, whether one concentrates on the religious or the secular traditions, it is a time when people are supposed to behave a little better to each other. That has somehow slipped past one Ebenezer Scrooge, merchant and money lender in 19th century London.

As his nephew points out to his uncle, he doesn't keep Christmas in any way because Scrooge feels the whole thing is humbug. The humanity in Scrooge was driven out long ago, he's a hard case, a whole lot like his 20th Century counterpart, Mr. Potter of Bedford Falls, New York.

But as Charles Dickens told this tale, redemption is not too late for any of us and a lonely ghost and three spirits visit Scrooge and show him how.

A Christmas Carol is such a timeless holiday classic that we sometimes forget that it is as much a social commentary of 19th century Great Britain as Oliver Twist was. The characters in this film are middle and lower class. The Cratchits are a couple of rungs above the street people in Oliver Twist, but they are having to struggle to stay up there. Still love and happiness radiate their home, no thanks to the guy Bob Cratchit works for.

Like George Bailey who did a whole lot of good in his life and just had to be reminded how much, Ebenezer Scrooge needed a wake up call as to the potentiality he still had for doing some good in this old world.

Patrick Stewart in his live performances and filmed play has pretty much taken over the part of Scrooge. But George C. Scott captures the old miser pretty well in this film. The meanness of him, but with a trace of sadness that makes us root for him to change. Scott joins a fine tradition of people like Reginald Owen and Alastair Sim who've both done great interpretations of Scrooge.

Among the supporting roles I particularly enjoyed David Warner as Bob Cratchit and Edward Woodward as a hearty and stern spirit of Christmas present.

According to IMDb this is one of 32 versions of A Christmas Carol made that they have archived and it is one of the best.