Beautiful, moving film.

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Patrick Stewart excels as perhaps the nastiest and most intimidating version of Scrooge, which makes his redemption all the more heartening and indeed shows more than any other adaptation, that it's not just Scrooge that needs saving but also the downtrodden Bob Cratchit and the family that so depends on him. The casting here is absolutely top notch, with Richard E Grant - has there ever been a more stressed out and sympathetic Cratchit - Dominic West - has there ever been a more likeable and charming Fred - Desmond Barritt, Ian MacNiece - born to play Fezziwig - Joel Grey, Saskia Reeves and Bernard Lloyd all excellent in their roles, which stands in stark contrast to the terribly miscast 1984 version, often bizarrely cited as being superior.

Charming and worthwhile adaptation about timeless and quintessential Christmas story . ¨A Christmas Carol¨ is an enjoyable British production, a wonderful and straight forward approach to the Dickens's source material being perfectly adapted . It is given the full sense of wonder , a deluxe treatment in this superior TV film . The production values & acting are both excellent, with just enough attractive to appeal to the tenderhearted , and with some doses of horror , case of the potentially frightening elements the Ghosts of Past (Joel Grey), Present (Barrit) and Future , adding sentiment ; all of them are blended into the mix , until , like a nice Christmas punch , the result appeals to all . Scrooge (Patrick Stewart) is a miserly old businessman in 1840's London . He displays no charity to mankind generally, and in particular, to his employee Bob Cratchett (Richard E. Grant married to Saskia Reeves) and his unfortunate son, Tiny Tim . One Christmas Eve he is visited by the ghost of Marley (Lloyd), his dead business partner. He is warned that he must change his miserly ways or face damnation. Marley foretells that Scrooge will be visited by three spirits, each of whom will attempt to show Scrooge the error of his ways . In Just One Night , He Has Seen His Past, His Present, And His Future. And They've All Come Back To Haunt Him Will Scrooge reform his ways in time to celebrate Christmas? . To his delight, the spirits complete their visits in one night giving him the opportunity to mend his ways. The first spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Past, shows Scrooge visions of his own past in which had spent much of his childhood neglected by his father over the holidays at boarding school until he was finally brought home by his loving sister , who died prematurely after giving birth to his nephew Fred (Dominic West). A past in which appears a young Scrooge (Doughty) and including a broken engagement to his girlfriend (Laura Fraser) . Will Scrooge change his life in time to celebrate Christmas? .A wonderful recounting of a Christmas vintage classic and Patrick Stewart demonstrates once again his versatility on screen in this retelling of Charles Dickens' immortal story . Atmospherically, the movie is as comfortable and heartwarming as an old Christmas card . The whole concept of looking at your life in the past, present and future is creative in and of itself . After watching the movie, you may look at your life from the same perspectives . Special effects add a nice little touch , but it is Patrick Stewart's interaction with the 'ghosts' and various characters that really steal the show . Though most of us , if not all of us, have seen other adaptations in the past or read the story , and know already what to expect, Stewart manages to capture pure magic with his stunningly awesome portrayal of main character Ebenezer Scrooge and it is definitely worth a look . It's fun and different approach to the Christmas classic with acceptable effects by means of computer generator . Furthermore , an emotive musical score by Stephen Warbeck and an appropriate cinematography by Ian Wilson add assets in this splendid TV film . A highly recommended picture that nobody should miss it especially during Christmas time . ¨David Hugh Jones's Christmas Carol¨ still ranks as one of the best TV adaptations of the Dickens classic ever . This retelling of Charles Dickens' classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption will appeal to Patrick Stewart fans .Other versions about this stunning story courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions are the following : The rather obscure 1935 version,with Sir Seymour Hicks ; adaptation released by MGM , directed in 1938 by Edward L Marin with Reginald Owen ; the 1951 British production with Alastair Sim and the 1970 musical by Clive Donner with Albert Finney. Under the title of 'A Christmas Carol' a cartoon rendition (1997) by Stan Phillips and voiced by Tim Curry and another (1991) by Jimmy T Murakami with Simon Callow ; in addition adaptations made by classic animated characters as ¨Mickey Mouse's Christmas Carol and ¨Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol¨ . Finally the made-for-TV productions: 1984 with George C. Scott , 1999 with Patrick Stewart, and the 2004 musical with Kelsey Grammar and the recent made by means of Motion Capture starred by Jim Carrey and directed by Robert Zemeckis .

I felt sorry for Patrick Stewart playing Scrooge. I felt this actor tried hard to be his own Scrooge, but he missed by a mile. I felt his acting was forced.But I felt the rest of the cast played it well, and Richard E. Grant as Bob Crachet was superb in his role.Particularly at the end when Grant picked up a poker to defend himself against his evil boss, Grant was shaking, terrified of his boss, and the atmosphere this one scene created, was for me very powerful.I suspect this is how every homeless person feels today against those among the British public who behave just like Scrooge, they could not care less, and many homeless people are spat upon.Those among the British public who behave like this are a disgrace, and they frighten the homeless, just like Grant's Bob Crachet was frightened into picking up that poker.It is a shame that in my opinion Patrick Stewart was unable to provide his Scrooge with the same menace.I felt the story was flat, almost boring. I give it 2 out of 10 for a good effort.But I give Richard E. Grant a full 10 marks for his role, and his wife and children equally so, they were all excellent.The best Scrooge films by far, is the Alastair Sim version, and the George C. Scott version.George C. Scott's version is more applicable to today's Society where the homeless people are under the Bridge, and the man asks his wife, "why cant I work to provide for my family", this question was spot on for today, because it reflects today.And then when George C Scott realises everything, he kneels down and asks, "what have I done" ?, because he realises how mean and short sighted he has been.And I would say "what have I done?", can also be said of those in our Society that have their heads in the sand, not realising and not caring about anybody but themselves, or the consequences of their actions.

This was the third version I had seen, and before I had only seen tiny bits of it on TV a couple of times, and the leading actor and other good people certainly got my attention to see it properly. You know the story, but I'll explain briefly. Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge (Patrick Stewart, a good bitter beginning, and then an over the top reform) is the cold-hearted Christmas hating businessman who gets visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley (Bernard Lloyd), who warns him of the torture he faced and the Ghosts that will haunt him. Then obviously he is taken by the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Joel Grey), Present (Desmond Barrit) and silent Future/Yet To Come (Tim Potter) until eventually Scrooge sees the light and realises he must change. This is where Stewart really overdoes it a bit, he is maniacal in his overly happy reform, I much preferred him meaner. Also starring Richard E. Grant as Bob Cratchit, Ian McNeice as Mr. Albert Fezziwig, Saskia Reeves as Mrs. Cratchit, Dominic West as Fred (Scrooge's nephew), Trevor Peacock as Old Joe, Liz Smith as Mrs. Dilber, Laura Fraser as Belle, Celia Imrie as Mrs. Bennett and Ben Tibber as Tiny Tim. The only change I see (besides the over the top happy Scrooge) is the ignorance and want children again. A good TV made film, but I doubt I will be seeing it too often (probably just every time it's on at Christmas, or not at all). It was nominated the Emmy for Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special. Worth watching!