Heart. This version has heart. Which is more than I can say for the latest Jim Carrey one. But I've opinionated about that elsewhere. When I first watched it in 2000, as a die-in-the-wool Dickens fan and this particular story, I was not impressed. But I will admit, in my immaturity, my displeasure had a great deal to do with Ross Kemp whom I didn't (and still don't) consider an actor worthy of the story. But here I am in 2009 and as it was on, I watched it, and this time I was impressed by the fact that it remained true to the spirit of the story if not to the story itself. In fact, I'll blaspheme a little; I thought parts of exceeded the original story. Especially the ghost of Christmas yet to come. But I do wish an actor of better calibre had been chosen for the part of Scrooge. Dear old Mr Kemp, let him stay in his soap where he belongs. The music was easily forgotten, the lighting or sound was not celebratory. The director will not have a memorial placed after her. But full marks to Peter Bowker, the screenwriter. A dark version children can watch. And it is interesting I found; if this happened in real life, the people whom Scrooge had wronged, would not immediately forgive him for all the pain he had inflicted upon them as has happened in all the other versions. This is a true to life fantasy. Top marks. Molly Cutpurse.

I loved this "Christmas Carol"; I saw it on TV a couple years ago and today I found it on IMDb. Needless to say, I found this version to be quite amazing; it was compact and really made you get to know Scrooge as a character. I think this movie was really well done even though it had been adapted to modern-day; in fact, I think it's adaption contributed to the brilliance. The love interest was also very realistic. If you are a fan of the classics, you should see this first-class version of "A Christmas Carol". Altogether, I really enjoyed this movie and if it ever comes out on DVD or VHS, I will be first in line... anyway...MERRY Christmas!

Badly written attempt to modernise Dickens' classic Christmas story. Directed by somebody who thinks they're making a pop video. And if the writing and direction are bad, the acting......... Well, it's Ross Kemp doing his usual 'cockney wide-boy with mad, staring eyes and croaky voice' act. About as convincing as Dick Van Dyke in 'Mary Poppins'. "Stroike a li' guvnah".Even Michael Caine was better in the Muppet version. I'd rather watch the moronic musical version. (Well actually, I'd rather poke my eyes out with lollipop sticks but watching Albert Finney trying to sing and dance is - marginally - less painful).Avoid. If you know what's good for you. This is "dead aht ov ordah".

As someone who comes from a family of Christmas fanatics and HUGE "Carol" fans begging for a version that remains completely faithful to the original text, this updated version intrigued me like very few have. Although the use of Marley is unusual (he appears several times), I bought into the concept of Scrooge as a heartless loan shark and Bob Cratchitt as his assistant trapped in a job from which he cannot afford to escape. I especially enjoyed some of the modern, and very creative, approaches which will be better appreciated by those more familiar with the story. What captured my attention initially, was the opening scene in which the familiar, "Marley was dead..." is delivered in a totally fresh manner. If you love the "Carol" try to find this next Christmas on public television (which is where I found it by accident)!