Scrooge (1970)

I had forgotten that I had written a review on my imdb account for the musical version of A Christmas Carol, until I went to post a fresh review after another viewing of the film tonight. I will just post my fresh review here and then add the old review after it for the film. I don't expect I'll write about this film again.

Fresh thoughts...

Pretty good musical retelling of the oft-filmed adaptation of the iconic Dickens novel benefits substantially by worthwhile presentation, particularly the evocation of the period of London for which greedy (and grouchy) money-lender Ebenezer Scrooge is met by old associate / business partner Jacob Marley (seven years after his death) and three ghosts afterward (Ghost of Christmas Past/Present/Future) during the Eve (into the early hours) of Christmas who show him how he wound up such a miser and what others think about him (and where he might wind up if he doesn’t consider his ways). I think the main problem I personally have with the film is Albert Finney’s cartoonish variation on the Scrooge character. He is primarily a grump, and his voice’s pitch turns him into a caricature instead of an authentic person in need of character examination and re-evaluation of where he went wrong as a human being. While I have always sensed an anti-capitalist sentiment in this story (which I consider rather brutally truthful), where A Christmas Carol always played my heart strings like a fiddle was the visit to the past where Scrooge must endure the moments with his sister, once a vibrant lifeforce soon silenced into an early grave once she gave life to his nephew (a resentment towards the nephew is obvious blame for the loss of his beloved Fann). That and Scrooge having to see his employee, Bob Cratchet suffer the loss of his boy, Tiny Tim (I tear up every time David Warner’s Cratchet quietly aches after visiting Tim’s grave in the ’84 version) in Christmas Future. I think where this ’70 version excels is in some rather well choreographed and infectiously charming musical numbers (“December 25^th” and especially “Thank You Very Much”), but I can’t say I ever connected emotionally to scenes that in other versions had (and continue to have) an effect on me. I think that has a lot to do with Finney; I think Finney is a wonderful actor, but here Scrooge is more of a character to laugh at than someone we invest in. The impact of Scrooge visiting Cratchet and his nephew after his transformation are rendered moot in how the musical numbers guide them. “Thank You Very Much” almost single-handedly makes this a winner, though….it really is a brilliant and witty number that has Scrooge believing that a jovial group of his debtors are celebrating him when in fact their song and dance is because of his “departure” (Anton Rodgers on top of his casket, leading the chorus, is terrific and the moment is equal parts morbid and hilarious)! Shepperton Studios in London provides some eye-catching sets and the busy streets (lots of extras were used for this), constant activity, and long, uninterrupted takes during a key sequence (the “I Hate People” has Scrooge moving through London streets and alleys, coming across all sorts of denizens, and griping about his feelings for them all in song; this leads into a number about how others feel regarding him which I think is rather brilliant in its own right) with Finney having lots of dialogue to recite while in character is rather damned impressive. Finney’s definitely a talent, and even if I never felt any real emotional resonance in things his Scrooge is a part of, I can’t deny he has some good moments here and there. I think the biggest mistake is the missing scolding from Christmas Present regarding “Ignorance & Want” to Scrooge, and the use of his own words regarding “Are there no workhouses?” against him never quite has the acid it should. I am free to admit, though, that what I might find as disappointing, others may just embrace. To each his/her own.

Old review...

In this musical version of Scrooge, Albert Finney, with no hint of restraint, plays Ebenezer as a grumpy misanthrope marching around London attempting to collect debts owed him on Christmas Eve, songs by various characters in the Charles Dickens' classic detailing their feelings. Every aspect, from art design, to wardrobe, to the impressive sets and camera work, is first-rate. I'm not sure any of the actors in their respected parts stand out for the exception of Finney(although the great Alec Guiness is Jacob Marley, it was said that he was very uncomfortable and in pain through the strain he was put under during the filming of his scenes)who plays his role to the hilt. I'm sure many will find Finney a bit too over the top in some respects. Still, the musical numbers have such scale and scope due to the large number of people representing the locals, many poor, impoverished folk barely eking out a living and gargantuan sets which really create a Victorian London city as the camera follows central characters as they walk about singing. My favorite musical number is "Thank you very much." It concerns an assembly of those celebrating the demise of Scrooge while Ebenezer is oblivious to the fact, believing they are praising him for his contributions to them over the years(This is during Scrooge's visit from Ghost of Christmas of Yet to Come who takes him to his work's doorstep as Ebenezer's casket is carried away). This version does address Scrooge's blunder in his young adulthood, accepting greed over love, including their courtship set to song..during this visit from Ghost of Christmas Past, Finney appears as both a young man and the older Ebenezer, sometimes together in the same scenes. This version concludes with a huge musical number which features two songs, "I Like Life" and "Thank you very much", both a response to Scrooge's metamorphosis from miser to hero, with Finney even eventually donning a Santa costume. This perhaps is the only version I can think of which actually has Scrooge descending into hell to be the Devil's clerk, with extra weighted chains!