This version of the famous classic begins with Jacob Marley's funeral, with Ebenezer Scrooge (Patrick Stewart) being the only person attending. The piculiarity of this particular Scrooge is that, being played by Stewart, he is bald. I make no comments on that, just tellin' ya. The story fast-forwards through several years, and the movie shows Scrooge in his office, harrasing his humble clerk Bob Cratchit (Richard E. Grant), refusing to make a donation to help the poor, and giving his anti-Christmas speech to his nephew Fred (Dominic West). Then, as Scrooge comes home, the ghostly visitations begin.
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The first spirit that visits Ebenezer Scrooge is the ghost of his dead partner, Jacob Marley (Bernard Lloyd). Jacob, who was very much like Scrooge in his life, cold and uncaring, is now miserable because of it, and he warns Scrooge. Next comes the Ghost of Christmas Past (Joel Grey), looking somewhat close, I think, to the way Dickens described him. He takes Scrooge on a journey to his childhood and to the time of his youth. Then the Ghost of Christmas Present (Desmond Barrit) shows Scrooge now Christmas is celebrated throughout the world, and how much Scrooge has missed by refusing to accept his nephew Fred's invitation to a Christmas dinner. After that the frightening Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, who for some reason is given a pair of glowing eyes in this movie, shows Scrooge what kind of a future expects him if he does not change his ways.
I am sorry to say this, but throughout the movie I had the feeling that Scrooge was simply delivering the lines. This was especially surprising since I have heard a lot of praise for Patrick Stewart's theatrical performance of Scrooge, and I thought he had practiced the part to perfection.
The review of this Movie prepared by Laura Southcombe
