Scrooge (1970)

I am sorry but this ought to be compulsory viewing for any "bah-humbugs" out there. From the wonderful Ronald Searle caricatures that open this through the superbly enjoyable performances from Albert Finney (who won a Golden Globe), Sir Alec Guinness; Dame Edith Evans, Kenneth More and a whole host of faces from British stage and screen this just screams "Christmas" at me. Leslie Bricusse's score and songs are as close to the intentions of Charles Dickens as, I imagine, Dickens could have written himself. Ronald Neame at his absolute best. It just has to be seen with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie in hand...

A Classic adaptation of **'A Christmas Carol'** staying with and detering from tradition in wonderful balance. Basic cinematography ecourages story but this is clumsily acted, the setting and songs cover for simple dramatic range and awkward dialogue. But this is all forgotten due to the nature of the setting and the cinematic grain of the 1970s film. The film is enjoyable but that is all 'Scrooge' gives, as a charcter he is quite eratic and contradictory going on a distorted arc to how the source material showed his devevolpment. Overall this is a film, entertaining for light viewing but that is as far as it stretches, it isnt loyal enough to Dickens' novella to study for academic purposes but might be of interest for those seeking creative differences in the text and artistical inferences.

Very catchy songs. Albert Finney was brilliant as the titular character. One of those Christmas films I'd watch while eating Twiglets (and drink Coca Cola)!