Perhaps the most influential Christmas story ever told (at least in terms of our modern perception of the yuletide season), Charles Dicken's novel, A Christmas Carol, has seen countless adaptations and variations in every kind of medium imaginable over the years. In terms of film versions of Dickens' classic tale, a few works rise to the top as the best adaptations of the story. 1984's made-for-TV version of A Christmas Carol is one of those films. Starring George C. Scott as the old miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, who on one Christmas Eve is shown the importance of charity and compassion, Clive Donner's workmanlike take on the classic Christmas tale is perhaps the most definitive of all the Scrooge stories.A Christmas Carol 1984 is content sticking to the novel nearly beat for beat. There is nothing particularly unique about ACC 1984's story, but that is precisely what makes this version so strong. This hour and forty-minute film doesn't waste time with its own ideas, but instead provides plenty of space to fully explore the lessons of the three Christmas spirits as well as the trials of poor Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim. Director Clive Donner seems focused on making his version as definitive as possible. No new hooks, no clever twists, no distinctive visual style. Just pure, focused, patient storytelling. ACC 1984 is a movie built on story, and decorated with some seasoned supporting work and a remarkable central performance. George C. Scott is the best thing this version has going for it. His performance as Scrooge is as textured as any I've seen. He does crotchety as well as you might expect, but by the end of the film Scott reveals some genuine emotional depths. His Christmas morning epiphany is the most heart-warming it has ever been on film.1984's A Christmas Carol is not the most polished adaptation of the Scrooge story. It takes a few visual shortcuts, and it can appear fairly cheap, even for a made-for-TV movie, but I'm splitting hairs. The movie looks good, and more importantly, the story really hits. There are a lot of great actors here, doing great work in a story that has been done dozens of times before. The movie works like a great stage play. It's a character piece, and a well done one at that. The actors carry the dramatic load in A Christmas Carol 1984, and with George C. Scott leading the charge, they carry it well. The 1984 version of A Christmas Carol is the most emotionally felt version of the story I've seen done in live-action, and all things considered (Including my favorite Scrooge performance), it is as close to the definitive version of the story as I've yet seen.80/100

a well known story. and its impeccable adaptation. this is all. George C. Scott does the perfect Scrooge because he has the gift to impose to you to ignore the expected story of Dickens. all begins in the moment of the first scene. and this change everything. because Elbenezer Scrooge is...different. its story is not exactly a metamorphose but result of evolution. George C. Scott explores in the right manner the frustrations and the meet with the spirits and the new day who impose a new perspective about life. and this does this version special. because it is a film of details more than the film of a classic book. the atmosphere of London, the small gestures, the humanity of each character are admirable. and, after the final credits, you discover a significant truth who is out of aesthetic rank or moral lessons- it is the expected story from the period of childhood.

For me this is far and away the best version ever. George C. Scott is a powerful presence in the role of Ebenezer. The dialogue is so beautifully done and the players all reflect what my mind's eye believes to be the relationships between employer/employee and the social strata of the time. The director and cast manage to hit my pathos buttons full-force and I am left reeling in my sheer joy at the transformation this classic tale describes. In the same way that "It's a wonderful life" manages to bring me to tears each time I see it (I am 61 ears old) this version of this classic tale has me knuckling tears from my eyes and looking for my handkerchief.

This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite movies! I'd forgotten how absolutely wonderful it was until I rewatched it recently, and, yes, I actually like it more than the Alastair Slim version (even though that is a great film, as well, and it deserves to a close second).George C.Scott is great as Scrooge, and he really captures the original source very well. It may be my favorite Scrooge performance, and it further proves how great of an actor Scott is.The film is also really eerie at times, which really surprised me. The introduction of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come was really chilling, and most of the film has this strange, dark atmosphere.While it may be the darkest "Christmas Carol" adaptation, it really shows the Christmas spirit, and the spirit of the original Dickens classic really well.