Scrooge-1970
Director Ronald Neame
Starring Albert Finney, Alec Guinness
Top 250 Films #186
Scott’s Review #561
Reviewed December 25, 2016
Grade: A
A classic perfect for watching around the holidays, perhaps accompanied by a roaring fire and a bit of brandy, Scrooge (1970) is a magical, musical experience; the entire family should adore it.
The film is a retelling of Charles Dickens’ 1843 story, A Christmas Carol.
Set in London with spectacular London-style art direction, it is perfect in its depiction of life around the holidays in the historic city, circa the nineteenth century.
To be clear, this is the musical version of the popular tale, not to be confused with the 1935 or the 1951 versions of the story.
The film is not as dark or scary as those films are. Instead, the 1970 Scrooge would be a fantastic companion piece to the 1968 classic Oliver!, both based on Dickens stories and both mixing fantastic musical scores with dramatic elements.
Albert Finney takes center stage in flawless form as the old, cantankerous, miser Ebenezer Scrooge. He plays the character as both an older man and, through flashbacks, a young man (Finney was merely 34 years old at the time of filming).
Guinness, indeed a high-caliber actor, is effective as the ghost of Jacob Marley- Scrooge’s former business partner. Scrooge is a moneylender, mainly to the working class, and is unforgiving in his collection of debts.
Filled with hatred for all things good, especially the Christmas holiday, Scrooge refuses to attend a family Christmas dinner hosted by his nephew, Fred, or to give to any charities. He begrudgingly gives his minion and bookkeeper, Bob Cratchit, Christmas Day off.
Finally left alone on Christmas Eve night, Scrooge is visited by the spirit of Jacob Marley, who tells Scrooge that three ghosts will visit him during the night.
In a chilling scene, Marley takes Scrooge on a journey through the sky, where he is greeted by spirits doomed to traverse the Earth, as Jacob is, with shackles acquired from their life as living beings.
Since they are greedy and wicked, they are doomed in the afterlife, just as Scrooge will be if he does not change his ways.
In an excellent subplot, we get to know the Cratchits, led by their father, Bob, a poor but earnest man. The family has little, but makes the most of what they do have, and appreciates the glorious holiday. They prepare a meager Christmas bird and savor being together as a family.
Their youngest, Tiny Tim, is lame, and he lusts over a lavish train set in the local toy shop. Cratchit epitomizes goodness and richness of character, contrasting with Ebenezer Scrooge.
As Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and Christmas yet to come, he slowly realizes he needs to change his ways before it is too late. The audience is treated to stories of Scrooge’s youth, as we understand what has made him the miserly older man that he is today.
The clear highlight of this film is its musical numbers that will leave even the most tone-deaf humming along in glee. Throughout each sequence, we are treated to various numbers.
My favorite is “Thank You Very Much”, as it first appears during the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come sequence.
By this time, feeling more sympathetic and appreciative, Scrooge merrily dances and sings along with the townspeople, unaware of the fact that they are celebrating his death and are dancing on his coffin to celebrate the fact that their debts are now free and clear.
This catchy tune is a reprise at the end of the film.
Other cheery numbers are “Father Christmas” and “I Like Life”, which perfectly categorize the film as a merry, holiday one, despite its occasional dark tone. This is necessary to avoid making Scrooge too bleak.
I also adore the vivid set designs as the gorgeous city of London is perfectly recreated to show the festive Christmas holiday. The film is not high-budget, but it makes the most of it by using small yet lavish sets.
Scrooge is a perfect holiday film, with fantastic tunes and a meaningful story that comes across on screen as a celebration of life, never edging toward contrived or oversaturated.
A wonderful holiday feast.
Oscar Nominations: Best Original Song Score, Best Original Song for the Picture-“Thank You Very Much”, Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction
