“A Christmas Carol” (1969)

A Christmas Carol

Brief Description:

On Christmas Eve, tight-fisted businessman Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the Spirit of Christmas Past, the Spirit of Christmas Present, and the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come. Is there any chance his frozen old heart will change, and that he can escape the frightful destiny that awaits him?

(written by me)

Date: 1969

Genre: British animated Christmas fantasy drama 

Running time: 45 minutes

Cast: 

Ron Haddrick (Scrooge)

Bruce Montague (First Charity Collector / Marley / Ghost of Christmas Present / Fezziwig / Gravedigger / Narrator)

John Llewellyn (Cratchit / Fred / Ghost of Christmas Past)

Director: Zoran Janjic 

Production company: Air Programs International

Based on: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

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Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 3/5

It was a bit glitchy and darkish, but a typical 1970s animation, which was “vintagely” fun. ;) 

Characters: 4/5

Okay, so the whole thing was somewhat different from the book. Scrooge stayed hard for a good long time (up to the Christmas Future visiting) and I liked how that highlighted what a cruel, selfish person he really was—something easy to forget as you see him soften in the book and most films. The nephew wasn’t much like Fred, but Cratchit & Mrs. C. are somehow always the same. Tiny Tim was much more pathetic, which was another interesting variation from the other films. As for the spirits, I enjoyed how the Past and Present wittily sparred with Scrooge! 

Plot: 4/5

At the beginning, the plot remains similar to the book, although it cuts out certain scenes. Marley’s appearance, however, is entirely different. He’s presented as a terrifying transparent monster with a skeleton head, long hair, and a thundering voice—entirely different from the book, much too creepy, and definitely overdone. My opinion of the film plummeted, but rose during the rest of the plot. While it wasn’t super accurate to the book (I mentioned Scrooge and the Spirits’ characters above), it was different and gave a new angle to the old story. I particularly enjoyed the new ending, which showed how much Scrooge had changed in a very tangible way. Oh, and it was cool to see someone finally really show how flippant and casual Scrooge was with Marley’s ghost!

Theme/Message/Topics: 5/5

It was worded a little differently from the book but it was deep and thought-provoking regardless.

Overall: 4/5

Not my favourite version, but well done regardless, rather unique, and something I’ll watch again… minus Marley’s scene, probably.