Scrooge (1970)

A musical retelling of Charles Dickens' classic novel about an old bitter miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions.

Director:

Ronald Neame

Writers:

Charles Dickens (based on "A Christmas Carol" by), Leslie Bricusse (screenplay)

Stars:

Albert Finney, Alec Guinness, Edith Evans

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Albert Finney	...	Ebenezer Scrooge
Edith Evans	...	Ghost of Christmas Past
Kenneth More	...	Ghost of Christmas Present
Laurence Naismith	...	Mr. Fezziwig
Michael Medwin	...	Nephew Fred
David Collings	...	Bob Cratchit
Anton Rodgers	...	Tom Jenkins
Suzanne Neve	...	Isabel Fezziwig
Frances Cuka	...	Ethel Cratchit
Derek Francis	...	1st Gentleman of Charity
Gordon Jackson	...	Tom - Friend of Harry's
Roy Kinnear	...	2nd Gentleman of Charity
Mary Peach	...	Fred's Wife
Paddy Stone	...	Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Kay Walsh	...	Mrs. Fezziwig

Storyline

In 1860, cranky old miser Ebenezer Scrooge hates Christmas, loathes people, and defends the decrease of the surplus of poor population, runs his bank exploiting his employee Bob Cratchit and clients, giving a bitter treatment to his own nephew and acquaintances. However, on Christmas Eve, he is visited by the doomed ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, who tells him that three spirits would visit him that night. The first one, the spirit of Christmas Past, recalls his miserable youth when he lost his only love due to his greed, the spirit of Christmas Present shows him the poor situation of Bob's family, and how joyful life may be and the spirit of Christmas Yet To Come shows his fate. Scrooge finds that life is good, and time is too short, and suddenly you are not there anymore, changing his behavior toward Christmas, Bob, his nephew, and people in general.

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Plot Keywords:

remake | scrooge | character name as title | christmas | spirit | 

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Taglines:

What the DICKENS have they done to Scrooge?

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Fantasy | Musical | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 1970 (UK)

Also Known As:

Scrooge

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinema Center Films, Waterbury Films, Waterbury Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Mono (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (colour) (Technicolor) (as Technicolor ®)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Scrooge, played by the then thirty-three-year old Albert Finney, is actually younger than his nephew Fred, played by the then forty-six-year old Michael Medwin.

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Goofs

While with the Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge peeks into a home, wiping the frost and condensation off the window. Setting aside the question of whether an incorporeal spirit could do this, frost and condensation collect on the warm side of a window, not on the cold side, where Scrooge is.

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Quotes

Ghost of Christmas Present: [to Scrooge] I must admit I found it hard to believe you'd be as horrible as they said you'd be... but now that I look at you, I can see that they were understating the truth!

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Crazy Credits

The phrase "Merry Christmas" appears at the end of the movie.

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Alternate Versions

The version shown on network television deletes all of the scarier scenes in the film, including the ghosts Scrooge and Marley are passing during his first visit from Marley, the revelation of the Spirit of the future's face, and the entire hell segment. All of these scenes are restored in the version shown on Turner Classic Movies.

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Connections

Version of Carol for Another Christmas (1964)

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Soundtracks

I'll Begin Again
(uncredited)
Music by Leslie Bricusse
Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
Performed by Albert Finney

User Reviews

The classic Christmas film

Scrooge is one of those films where you can sit down and let it wash all over you. Finney is the perfect Scrooge: despicable, mean, sarcastic and a lot better than others who have portrayed the miserly character. Scrooge's love and loss of Isabelle is touching as is Tiny Tim's song about his dream of Christmas. The depth of feeling, character and love combines into this absolutely wonderful musical which, while showing the horrific differences between the two classes of society, shows how they can be combined with a little Christmas cheer. By the end of the film, you might just find that there is a little more to Christmas than you thought. I dare you to watch it and sing along to all those catchy numbers!