A Christmas Carol |  | Director: David Hugh Jones
Actors: Richard E. Grant, Joel Grey, Ian McNeice, Saskia Reeves, Desmond Barrit
Studio: Turner Home Ent
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $3.68
as of 11/8/2009 04:27 CST details
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New (42) Used (19) Collectible (1) from $3.64
Seller: inetvideo
Rating:  155 reviews
Sales Rank: 374
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Picture Format: Pan & Scan
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 95 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.6 x 0.6
MPN: TRNDT8161D
ISBN: 0780623746
UPC: 053939816129
EAN: 9780780623743
ASIN: 0780623746
Theatrical Release Date: December 5, 1999
Release Date: November 7, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Standing out in the crowded field of screen adaptations of the classic Dickens novel A Christmas Carol is hard to do, but this version pulls it off. When a transparent Jacob Marley walks through Ebenezer Scrooge's apartment door, you know you're seeing something both timeless and contemporary. Other strategically placed special effects--a funnel cloud that transports Scrooge and the ghost of Christmas present, the hollow specter of Christmas future--keep you riveted without slipping into anachronism. 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
Product Description
Movie DVD
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 155
 Possibly a perfect Holiday movie October 6, 2009
The Mandrew (The Dub-V)
One of the best adaptations of the story - Patrick Stewart is equal parts menacing miser and reformed philanthropist, bringing a frown then a smile to your face. He's one of the best actors of our time, a fact often unrealized, and his skills are put to good use in this must-see Christmas movie.
This isn't one to rent, its one to own. I look forward to every Christmas-season just to rewatch this masterpiece. Such a good movie.
Damn Your Merry Christmas! Patrick Stewart's Stellar Scrooge! July 3, 2009
James "Scotman" April (Bakersfield, CA)
Patrick Stewart stars in a delightfully accurate rendition of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. I would even say it surpasses Alistair Cooks' and George C. Scott's rendition.
Best known for his commanding performance as Star Trek: The Next Generation's Captain Picard, Stewart digs deep into his Shakespearian roots to practically channel the black-hearted miser, Ebenezer Scrooge.
Stewart won Best Actor by the Screen Actor's Guild in his performance. He also had played a one man A Christmas Carol with on-stage performances before coming to the TNT Network for this rendition.
Stewart chose the writer and director and insisted on some CG to make the ghosts "ghostly" and the special effects perfect without overwhelming the story and I think they did that in spades.
The Victorian feel and the gothic presence of the whole Dickens's feel was fun to see. The detail and cinematography were somewhat historically accurate, though the purple coats and striped socks perhaps not so much. A few minor quibbles, such as the ghost of Christmas Present, the jovial, laughing ghost, was more subdued in this one.
Unlike other renditions, Christmas Present travels the world with Scrooge, in the prisons, on boats, in the coal mines, seeing how the poor and destitute celebrate. He throws Scrooge's words back at him with a bit too much relish and sarcasm for my taste.
The Christmas Future is a bit fake with the hood and glowing eyes, kinda like watching a ten foot tall Star Wars Jawa!
The discovery of Scrooge's grave, cracking open and pulling him in, WOW, great effects. The after-story carries the viewer through to the end, with Tim's exclamation of God blessing us, every one, but it's done with taste, no sap.
Another accurate rendition of the book is the Ghost of Christmas Present's two creatures hiding under his cloak -- you don't see that one too often -- the boy Ignorance and the girl Want; if one denies Ignorance, he will engulf you all.
Great quotes include: "Men's actions determine certain ends; if they persist in them but if their actions change, the ends change too." And said only the way Stewart could say them.
Fun little bits such as Scrooge checking the books of his younger self at Fezziwig's and nods approval, or walking into the stock exchange exclaiming how this is his territory.
I've also noted that Amazon carries some fairly crass renditions of A Christmas Carol:
"A Diva Christmas Carol" with Vanessa Williams and "A Carol Christmas" with a female role for Scrooge. I'll save those for Halloween!
The DVD contains a few trailers but that's about it.
And hey, it's a Hallmark special! Rent!
Recommended.
Patrick Stewart in A Christmas Carol January 26, 2009
Mister X (Denver, USA)
This is, by far, the finest perfomance of Dickens' Christmas Carol. The entire cast, including and especially Mr. Stewart uses Dickens' dialogue along with correct for the period slang and expressions in such an incredibly immersive way. The finest example of the great, under praised talent in this film is Stewart's throaty growl of the familiar "Bah, humbug!". It was so good the first time, I put it right back on for an encore screening. Great film!!!
Stewart Very Good January 22, 2009
KAREL R. GOTTLIEB (FERNLEY, NV USA)
Although this is not my favorite version, Stewart was very good in the roll of Scrooge. I still prefer the Alister Simms version.
This "A Christmas Carol" is the BEST! January 21, 2009
Jen T. (MN)
I saw this movie about 5 years ago on Television and every year since I've looked for it during Christmas. Finally I looked it up on Amazon and ordered a copy. My heart went out to this man 'Scrooge' who had so many losses in his young life and which really leads to his hardened heart. It is so much more real than the old 70's version. I'm so glad that the writers really were mindful of the Christian theme of the story. The song "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", which is sung really sums up the theme of the movie. "Remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day, to save us all from Satan's Power when we've gone astray, Oh, Tidings of Comfort & Joy!" My heart ached for this man and when he came to this rebirth at the end, he was visibly filled with the 'holy spirit' and you can't help but shed a tear because you're happy for him and at the same time it's very emotional. It has many lessons to be learned by both young & old. It will be a treasure to my family for many years to come.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 155
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