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But, as good as the technology is, the performances are what really power this 93-minute TNT interpretation. Patrick Stewart brings a depth to Scrooge that allows the character to go beyond the cartoonish qualities that have made him a Christmas mainstay. That doesn't mean he's any less heartless with his hapless employee Bob Cratchit (Richard E. Grant) or any less dismissive of his well-meaning nephew. A frail-looking Joel Grey makes an excellent ghost of Christmas past, and a superb British cast ably fill the remaining roles.
Director David Jones, shooting on location in England and at London's Ealing Studios, has achieved a balance of science and sentiment that will help this version hold up for many years to come. --Kimberly Heinrichs
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Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Brilliant Performance from Patrick Stewart,
By
This review is from: A Christmas Carol (Full Screen) (DVD)
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.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best!,
By imadaydreambeliever--1 "Im a Day Dream Believer" (Dream World) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Christmas Carol (Full Screen) (DVD)
Blah Blah Blah, Yadda Yadda Yadda! The George C. Scott Christmas Carol production was good but some of us like The Patrick Stewart version better so get over it! I actually used to like the Alistair Sim production as the best of them all but now my favorite is The Patrick Stewart film and it's now my all time fave with Alistair Sim following. The Patrick Stewart film is a lot closer to the Dickens novel than the haters will have you thinking and I think if you give it a chance you will like it!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Fine Rendition,
By
This review is from: A Christmas Carol (Full Screen) (DVD)
I have seen and heard many versions of A Christmas Carol but htis one I think is the best and truest to the novel.The acting by Patrick Stewart is spectacular, showcasing the fact that he was origanaly trained as a Shakesperian actor, and all the supporting roles are well done (with the possible exception of Fezziewig, who was a little too over the top). The cinematography and sets paint a rich and effectife picture of the gloomy dark times that was a largely poverty stircken London. My only critisism would be that some of the special effects were rather cheesy, granted it was a low budget film, but the special effects are the only thing that give it away. perhaps some of the effects should have been simply left out. but that is just a minor critism. This film has been and will continue to be a favourate Christmas tradition for my family.
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