A Christmas Carol [VHS]

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• Format: VHS Tape
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0780630084
• ISBN13: 9780780630086
• Release Date: October 2000
• Rating: Unrated (Not Rated)
• Publisher: Turner Home Ent
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A Christmas Carol-Patrick Stewart

If you're interested, this is one of the better renditions of A Christmas Carol. Patrick Stewart, known for his shakespearian resonance embodies just the right overtones to play Ebenezer Scrooge and was perfectly cast. We may be used to seeing him in a different light, but he fills Scrooge's shoes and walks a mile! You will definately be surprised by a faux frightened Patrick -er- Scrooge when encountered by the ghosts, and even amused when he visits Christmas past and dances a little jig when he encounters his younger self. Definately worth viewing!You will be absolutely surprised and I think you will enjoy Patrick Stewart as Scrooge. Take a little trip back to the time of Tiny Tim and let Scrooge be your tour guide. He will make sure the ride is far from boring!

A Brilliant Performance from Patrick Stewart

160 years ago (1843), Charles Dickens (1812-1870) wrote one of his most beloved short stories, "A Christmas Carol". After the advent of film early in the twentieth century, several different directors have attempted to capture Charles Dickens' story, and various actors have portrayed the story's protagonist, Ebenezer Scrooge.Such was the case in 1999 when director David Hugh Jones directed an updated version of the classic story for television, which stared the venerable Shakespearean-trained actor Patrick Stewart. (Patrick Stewart was also one of the film's executive producers.) Patrick Stewart, who is well known for his portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the 7-year TV-series "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and 4 "Star Trek" feature films (as well as many other roles), has always used his Shakespearean training to create a very realistic performance in most anything that he does, and his portrayal of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge was no different.Though some viewers have commented that the 1999 version of "A Christmas Carol" is joyless and that they haven't enjoyed it, the reality is that that more closely resembles the environment of Charles Dickens' original story. Hence, Patrick Stewart created a very realistic embodiment of what Charles Dickens envisioned for Ebenezer Scrooge: a joyless miser who has completely forgotten what it means to live and to love. Also, these same viewers neglect the amount of detail present in this rendition of the film that has often been absent in previous big-screen film versions, such as young Ebenezer's (Kenny Doughty) work for his first employer Mr. Albert Fezziwig (Ian McNeice) and the old women (played by Liz Smith and Elizabeth Spriggs) fighting over a deceased man's belongings.Other memorable performances in the film include Jacob Marley (Bernard Lloyd), Bob Cratchit (Richard E. Grant), Mrs. Cratchit (Saskia Reeves), Tiny Tim Cratchit (Ben Tibber), Ebenezer's nephew Fred (Dominic West), Ebenezer's sister Fran (Rosie Wiggins), Mrs. Fezziwig (Annette Badland), the Ghost of Christmas Past (Joel Grey), the Ghost of Christmas Present (Desmond Barrit), The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (Tim Potter) and Belle (Laura Fraser). Of the many actors who have portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge over the past century (George C. Scott in 1984, Albert Finney in 1970, Alastair Sim in 1951, and Reginald Owen in 1938 to name a few), I am glad to see Patrick Stewart numbered among them.Overall, I rate the 1999 version of "A Christmas Carol" with 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it. Sadly, since the film was produced for television, it was not filmed in widescreen format (which is my only complaint about the film), but that does not take away from this film's splendid portrayal of Charles Dickens' classic short story.

my new Scrooge of choice

This version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is, without a doubt, my favorite. Patrick Stewart spent a good deal of his early post-Picard life performing a one-man rendition of Dickens' holiday classic. All that work pays off big-time in this wonderful movie version (with a full cast) made by the folks at TNT.Stewart is the star here. His scrooge is a far cry from the usual curmudgeon we've been given by the likes of George C. Scott, Lionel Berrymore, and Albert Finney. Stewart's Scrooge is much more human--and as a result much less wooden.The four ghosts are excellent as well. Part of this may well be advances in special effects. Yet bearing even that in mind, the first three ghosts (especially Joel Grey as the ghost of Christmas Past) turn in spectacular performances; while not saying much (as usual) the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come broods nicely.Interwoven throughout the movie is the outstanding job done by the various actors who play the Cratchit family. Richard Grant is the best Bob Cratchit I have ever seen. The rest of the family is just as remarkable.More than anything else however, this TNT version gets more to the meaning of Christmas than most earlier versions. We have so much more here than empty, fuzzy-warm sentiment. When the redeemed Scrooge takes action, he also runs to sing songs of joy and worship to the God that has made it all possible.Everything about this movie version is spot-on. The pacing is superb, each phase of Scrooge's journey is given enough time to truly blossom--nothing gets shortchanged. This makes for the best ending sequence to the piece ever filmed.I cannot express my enthusiasm for this film enough. This is the best movie of A Christmas Carol yet made (my previous Scrooge of choice was Bill Murray's Scrooged, which I still greatly appreciate). I give this movie my highest recommendation.

Not Humbug!

I have read Dicken's A Christmas Carol and this movie is the closest to the book that I have ever seen. Patrick Stewart is an awesome actor and brings power to every performance he does.I think that is why he's the only actor from the Star Trek worlds not type cast. When I see anything he's in I don't think Captain Picard but whatever role he's playing. Now I'm not saying other actors have never been as good as Scrooge, but Steward and Alister Sim in his version are the only two who could make me hate Scrooge but at the same time feel sorry for him, because he is a doomed man, doomed to spend his life in his own misery. Sterward's performance at the end warms your heart also as a man who realizes something wonderful has happened to him, he has a second chance to save himself. Because there are so many versions of this story on film I think people judge them all the same, especially the new ones, but don't pass this one by, it has become a new Christmas tradition in my home.

Patrick Stewart IS Scrooge

For years Patrick Stewart has done a one person stage version of "Christmas Carol" playing all the parts. Twice he has taken it to New York where he received rave reviews. Those of us who could not get to New York had to be satisfied with an audio tape version. Then someone had the brilliant idea of doing the video. Naturally it was expanded to have a full cast and sets. Because of his years of doing the stage version Mr. Stewart fits so easily into the role that he is not playing a part, he IS Scrooge. There are other fine versions of the story, notably the wonderful George C. Scott production, but none can compare with Mr. Stewart. The adaptation of the story to film is so true to Dickens, he must have sat on the script writers shoulder as it was written. I taped it from the TV broadcast and now can not wait for the DVD to be released. Anyone who makes "Christmas Carol" part of their holiday or just loves magnificent acting should definitely add this version to their library.