A Christmas Carol - Die drei Weihnachtsgeister

Here is another great adaption of Dickens' great Christmas story! My mood always get a little better when I watch or read this story...especially when it is Christmas! Patrick Stewart is certainly one of my favorite actors (Star Trek was one of my favorite TV-shows when I was younger), and Richard E. Grant (who also appeared in the film "Warlock") plays a very sympathetic role in this story as the book-keeper Cratchit. I think that they fit very nicely into their roles, and the supporting cast also does a fine job. Little Tim is very sweet, and you just hope that he is going to survive! They did a good job at showing Scrooge's past and telling the story of how he became such a bitter old man, and how the ghosts try to persuade him into enjoying the remaining years of his life instead of being cruel and grumpy all the time.

I hope you enjoy this movie as much as I did, and a very merry Christmas to all!

Theater fans who longed to see Stewart's one-man-show version of "A Christmas Carol" will really appreciate this ! Patrick Stewart on Broadway plays, Scrooge, Fezziwig, Tiny Tim, the Three Ghosts and every other yuletide Dickensian character . I bet that was a sight to see "Live" ! On stage ! In the TNT TV version Stewart plays only Scrooge the film is one of the better adaptations alongside George C Scott's 1984 version, Alastair Sim 1951 ; Sim is a phenomenal Scrooge "gold standard" ! I will tell you however Stewart is outstanding and a joy to watch as you can tell he has completely dedicated himself to the character.

An old bitter miser who makes excuses for his uncaring nature learns real compassion when three ghosts visit him on Christmas Eve. Fabulous darker tale acted wonderfully by Patrick Stewart as Scrooge.

The sad thing about this adaptation is simply that audiences have expected less reserved acting and brighter and cheerier moods. However, I've read the book many times, and although I like all versions, I think this is probably the 2nd best I've seen. (I love the musical Scrooge with Albert Finney. It's delightful, if not entirely British in tone.) Scrooge was a Victorian man, which means the definition of his character would be one of reservation and stiffness. Patrick Stewart is quite believable as a Victorian British gentleman miser.

I enjoyed immensely the understated end, where Scrooge changes much for the better, yet at the same time maintains the appearance of a Victorian gentleman. The scene in which Scrooge haltingly enters his nephews house is very powerful and poignant imo.

Admittedly, the supporting cast is forgettable, but that's to be expected. This is Scrooge's story and belongs to no one else. What I think turns people off for this version is the stiffness portrayed by Scrooge and the general "oppressive" atmosphere of the movie. But it is quite good, and Stewart's portrayal of the Victorian Scrooge is perfect.

Although, I think that from our own perspective, Alastair Sim's portrayal will remain the one that stays forever. This movie suffers most from a low TV budget which often limits the camera work along with special effects. But overall, this is one of the best versions out there.

Patrick Stewart brings Ebenezer Scrooge to life in this wonderful production. As he moves from the embittered character which we are first presented with, through the intense emotions of a man reformed by the Christmas spirit, we are both astounded and captivated by the depth of Scrooge's character. A pleasure to watch.

I will begin to say that I adore Dickens's book, and I do think it is my absolute favourite Christmas story. Out of the versions of the book I've seen, Scrooge(1951), Mickey's Christmas Carol, The Muppets and the George C Scott film are my favourites. This film though is above average and is a perfectly decent film overall. Of course it isn't perfect, it is a tad too short, the special effects weren't always that great and there are shortcomings in the script. That said, out of all the adaptations, this 1999 version is definitely one of the truest to the book. The scenery, costumes and photography for a TV movie are not bad at all. Maybe not as lavish or inventive visually, but considering how some TV movies have special effects etc. that are close to appalling, I am not one to judge harshly. I also agree with anybody who says this adaptation has the best depiction of the Cratchits, who are seen as warm and loving, so the part when Scrooge looks into the future does evoke a tear or two. While the music was outstanding, the performances are what make the film, Joel Grey, Desmond Barritt and Tim Potter make for imposing spirits, and even with the casting of Saskia Reeves and Richard E Grant as the Cratchits the film successfully avoids falling into modernisation. It is Patrick Stewart who holds this film together however, with a worthy and surprisingly subtle performance. I like Stewart very very much, he is a fine actor, and while he is maybe not the most definitive Scrooge he is still absolutely great. And I liked Fred in this one, he was funny(and handsome too). All in all, impressive and I liked it a lot. 7.5/10 Bethany Cox