12 Reviews of Christmas - A Christmas Carol (1984)

          Hey guys, Chuck here, and welcome to the finale of this year's 12 Reviews of Christmas . As always, we'll be taking a look at another adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol . This year, we're taking a look at the 1984 film version starring George C. Scott, David Warner, Roger Rees, Susannah York, Angela Pleasance, Frank Finlay, Michael Gough, John Quarmby, and Edward Woodward. 

         So, this story of this movie is pretty much the story of A Christmas Carol. Pretty much standard with the story, but with a few exceptions. For example, we see Scrooge in this one head to a stock exchange to meet with some men looking to purchase Scrooge's corn supply, and he increases the price percentage on them for failing to meet his deadline. And, of course, two charity drive workers approach him for a donation, and he declines to donate. 

         Scrooge gets visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley, who tells him that he'll be visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come, who will guide him onto a better path than the one he's on. And the three Ghosts all show some things different from most versions of A Christmas Carol, but hit most of the same beats. For example, the Ghost of Christmas Past, played in this version by Angela Pleasance, shows him his life at school, his apprenticeship at Fezziwig's, and his break-up with the love of his life, Belle. However, in this version, we learn that Scrooge's apprenticeship at Fezziwig's was set up for Scrooge by his father. That's neat. 

        The Ghost of Christmas Present, played by Edward Woodward, shows Scrooge the home of Bob Cratchit, his clerk, and Fred, his nephew. One thing the Spirit also shows that is unique to this version is a family who is struggling and living without a home. This family could utilize a place like a poorhouse, but those institutions typically split parents from their children, and this family resolves to stay together. 

       Now, while I really enjoyed the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present, and I find it a nice touch making the Ghost of Christmas Past a woman in this version, I am not a fan of the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come. Now, this spectral spirit does it's job just fine, but the design felt lazy and the sounds made by it just felt a bit too cliche to me, and I just didn't like it, especially when compared to other versions of A Christmas Carol that I've seen. On the other hand, I thought that Marley's ghost, played by Frank Finlay, did have a very creepy and macabre design that definitely works well for the character than I've seen in most versions of A Christmas Carol.

         Of course, Scrooge turns his life around, becomes more giving and open, even purchasing a turkey for Cratchit and his family for Christmas, and we actually see the Cratchit family receive the turkey in this version. Scrooge spends Christmas with Fred and his wife, and I like how he opens up to them and asks to be more active in their lives, which is nice. And of course, he gives Cratchit a pay raise and helps the Cratchit family with their struggles, even getting Cratchit's son Tiny Tim the medical help he needs. 

          George C. Scott was excellent as Scrooge in this version of A Christmas Carol, and he definitely balances out the miserly, grouchy side of Scrooge with the kind and giving version. Both David Warner and Roger Rees were excellent as Cratchit and Fred, with David Warner's Bob Cratchit definitely being a highlight. I also enjoyed Susannah York as Mrs. Cratchit, and I thought she did a great job. Everyone else in the movie all did really well in their respective roles, as well. 

          Overall, aside from a few issues with character design, I thoroughly enjoyed this version of A Christmas Carol. Now, I will always prefer the Patrick Stewart version, but I enjoyed this one as well, and I definitely recommend checking it out. I'm giving the 1984 version of A Christmas Carol a rating of 4.65/5. Thanks everyone for tuning in to 12 Reviews of Christmas this year. Have a Merry Christmas, and be sure to come back next Thursday for my Top 10 Favorite Movies of 2022. This is Chuck signing off, and I'll see you guys next time. 

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