MARIO GAUCI I was not aware of this 24-minute animated version of the Charles Dickens classic/Yuletide perennial but was obviously drawn to the film given Williams' stature in the field. Its biggest coup – that is, apart from the rigorous yet effective compression of the source material (thanks to extremely fast transitions between one scene and the next, characterized by admirably mobile tracking shots!), while maintaining the essence of the tale (abetted by the narration of Sir Michael Redgrave) – is to have Alastair Sim and Michael Hordern reprise their roles of Ebenezer Scrooge and Jacob Marley respectively from the definitive screen adaptation of 20 years previously!! Indeed, the whole seems to draw upon the 1951 SCROOGE above all: from the script, which it sometimes quotes verbatim, to the style of animation, deliberately evoking the remarkable detail of Dickensian London – not forgetting the superbly-realized fantasy sequences – which was that particular production's trump card! And, herein, lies perhaps this film's ultimate dilemma: while certainly not a perfunctory or redundant effort, one is not likely to forsake the earlier cinematic rendition because of it

[email protected] Years ago, GLOBAL TV would air an animated version of A Christmas CAROL that was very different from the Alistair Sim version profiled here: In this version, Marley's Ghost had a skull for a face, and Scrooge had a coin in his hand that he kept rubbing. It is this coin that he gives the boy whom he sends to fetch him the Christmas turkey. In this version the story ends when Scrooge brings the turkey to Bob Cratchit's place for Christmas Dinner. The last scene - and I shall never forget it as long as I live! - was where Scrooge is sitting in a chair with his head bobbing in time to the Cratchit's Christmas music. And this was before MICKEY'S Christmas CAROL came to theaters! It was a wonderful version of the old Christmas chestnut, I can tell you!

bufster3 I wish someone would release this lost gem on DVD or even video. So much garbage is shown at Christmas I just don't know what goes on in the minds of television programming staff that they won't show this masterpiece. It looks beautiful and the writing, directing and acting are superb. I last remember seeing it on regular old commercial television when I was a child back in 1977. I also remember that during a commercial break they showed a 7-UP commercial starring Jeffrey Holder. I have never forgotten it. Truthfully, this version is better than any of the live action versions that I have seen except perhaps the 1951 production entitled "Scrooge" starring Alastair Simm who reprises the role of Scrooge in this version. Simm is the best Scrooge ever. If you like "A Christmas Carol" email the programming people at Turner Classic Movies, American Movie Classics and Cartoon Network and beg them and harass them to show this wonderful film.

orrmarie This "movie" WAS Christmas at our house when I was a child! I would love to see it again. My children have never seen this version which is the greatest ever! I have watched every version of A Christmas Carol I have ever come across and have always been disappointed. We even went to see it performed live in the theater and, although it was good, it lacked the emotional qualities of this version. I realize that by it being animated, the producers were able to add special effects and stick closer to the dreamlike quality of the original Dickens tale. This movie has been one of my favorites all my life and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Dickens or just a lover of Christmas.