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: 1982
Genre: Australian fantasy drama Christmas animation family film
Running time: 1 hour 12 minutes
Cast:
Ron Haddrick (Scrooge)
Phillip Hinton (Cratchit)
Sean Hinton (Tiny Tim / Peter)
Barbara Frawley (Mrs. Cratchit)
Robin Stewart (Fred, Ghost of Christmas Past / Young Scrooge / Turkey Fetcher)
Liz Horne (Martha / Belinda)
Bill Conn (Marley / Solicitors / Mr. Fezziwig / Ghost of Christmas Present / Topper / Old Joe)
Derani Scarr (Mrs. Fred / Belle)
Anne Haddy (Fan)
Director: Jean Tych
Production company: Burbank Films Australia
Based on: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
(watched on Tubi)
Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 4.5/5
This animation reminded me a little bit of the 1971 simply because it was an animation. It is quite different; but it does have a similar feel. I still prefer “living” productions but this was still good and has the feel of the story pretty well.
Characters: 5/5
I was very impressed with this production! The characters were all highly accurate, right down to the schoolmaster. The Christmas Spirits were particularly well done—they’re usually quite odd or unlike the book, but here they were quite accurate. Scrooge was also well done—some little bits were added to the film to showcase more of his character and past, which I really appreciated. I did find Mrs. Crachit less similar to most renditions, but I think she was probably more accurate! The only one I wasn’t a fan of was Marley, who was rather creepy and didn’t look like his living self. And I didn’t need to see his dying scene and his spirit floating away.
Plot: 5/5
The film was almost 100% like the book, with a few additions to expand on things—for instance, Marley’s reason for visiting Scrooge and some dialogue between Scrooge and the Christmases Past and Present about his life and character—all very well done. It also had many, if not all, of the scenes usually cut out—the bakery line, the woman in the snow with the spirits sobbing over her, Belle’s family, the lighthouse keepers… It was really an excellent rendition!
Theme/Message/Topics: 4/5
The story expanded on the message of generosity and love and prolife-ness, but slacked a bit on the message of Christ.
Overall: 5/5
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