Scrooge (1970)

Simply A Masterpiece

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Blistering performances.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Thoroughly enjoyed , been meaning to watch this at Xmas for years but never got around to doing it. So I thought I would tonight ..... great film !!!

It's not easy to choose which of the many film adaptations of 'Scrooge', or, "A Christmas Carol" is the best. It's better to say, which does a fan like the best. For me I like this 1970 adaptation the best followed by the 1984 version and the Patrick Picard version. I do not include the animated cartoon versions for comparison. I am not a trained psychologist for starters although I have read something of human psychology in college and on the Internet. Fans throughout the ages pondered just what was the problem with Ebenezer Scrooge's pathological greed? The answer is in the word, 'pathological'. When applying the psychology of the malevolent personality 'Dark Triad' to Ebenezer Scrooge, the man's pathology reflected mostly narcissism and probably some nonclinical sociopathy. In all the film adaptations you clearly hear Scrooge openly think of himself as a generous, honest man who is taken advantage of by thieving, cheating humanity, whom he despises, being the consummate misanthropist. But the catalyst of Scrooge's personality neuroses is his 'fetish' with money. His obsession with wealth overextends to the actual physical possession and touch of gold specie where it has now become a fetish. You see Scrooge constantly touching and counting gold coins far beyond the necessary time to handle it. Indeed, Scrooge's classic greed is just the overt manifested system of neurosis, narcissism, nonclinical pathology, fetishism, misanthropy, and ultimately his own unrecognized self-hatred projected and channeled externally onto others as their fault, not his. Therefore the one tragic scene where Ebenezer coldly breaks up with his fiancé, Isabel, is not a tragedy at all. It was the best thing that could happen to both people. Ebenezer was already down the dark rabbit hole when Isabel (never dismiss woman's intuition) realizes for both of them that happy marriage is an impossibility. The breakup between both people no doubt prevented future misery, unhappiness and possible tragedy. Isabel was smart enough to call it quits and Ebenezer, in his last act of unknowing compassion let her go. Ebenezer's final redemption and rebirth into humanity and compassion is his successful psychological therapy which restored the benign personality of his youth. Of course there's much more to that as the original intent of, "A Christmas Carol" was spiritual and Christian. Applying 21st century psychology to it makes Scrooge more understandable even if not more sympathetic.

I was fairly impressed with Albert Finny. He has made a career out of playing sort of gruff guys (Daddy Warbucks in Annie) and so Scrooge fits him well. I was a little apprehensive because often the original songs in these films don't work very well. There is that godawful thing that was done by Kelsey Grammar, maybe the worst of all time. But these songs are catchy and they fit in well with the plot line. Of course, everyone knows the story of reclamation by the old buzzard who dotes on money, while the population suffers in the streets. I love the song "Thank You Very Much" which shows how vilified the old man is to the people he meets each day. By dying, they say, he will make the world a better place. Can you imagine that? Anyway, I have my favorites and I do love the Alaister Sim above all else followed closely by George C. Scott. But this will stand the test of time.

This one of the best fantasy movies of all time. It has a great story line. It also has great acting. It has great special effects. It is very scary. It is one of the scariest movies of all time. 7.5 is a good ratting. But this is such a good movie 7.5 is underrating it. I give it 10 out of 10. This a great film. You most see it. If this movie does not scary you know movie will. This is scarier then The Shinning. If it does not scary you know movie will. Scrooge (1951) is better. But still this is a great movie A Christmas carol (1986) is better. But still this a great film. It is one of the best ghost stories ever. I is a must see. See this movie it is a great movie.