"A Christmas Carol" is a classic story that probably will be remade in films far into the future. There will probably always be a decade or generation that will have an accomplished actor or producer who wants to make the best rendition yet of the Charles Dickens tale. So, they will try, and the end product will be good to very good. That's because of the story itself. And, indeed, almost all of the versions made into film to date have been good. But, a couple comedy attempts at very much revised stories have been terrible.
This TV movie made by Hallmark stars Patrick Stewart and does a good job of following the Dickens book and story. But, as with many modern films made of period times, the sets - costumes especially, seem too colorful,, bright, and sharp for what is known about the dress and settings of that period and place- the mid-19th century England. Some of the characters here don't fit the parts well That's most noticeable especially in the two ghosts - of Christmas past and present. And, while his performance as Scrooge is good, Patrick Stewart overacts, especial in the first half in his meanness. He probably wanted to impress audiences as being the most believable and hateful miser. But that has another effect - a negative one in the last scenes of the film,. He conversion and change of heart is the more unbelievable. And, that puts a major crimp on the whole story.
This is a good film to watch if one doesn't have the 1938, 1951 or 1984 versions.
This TV movie made by Hallmark stars Patrick Stewart and does a good job of following the Dickens book and story. But, as with many modern films made of period times, the sets - costumes especially, seem too colorful,, bright, and sharp for what is known about the dress and settings of that period and place- the mid-19th century England. Some of the characters here don't fit the parts well That's most noticeable especially in the two ghosts - of Christmas past and present. And, while his performance as Scrooge is good, Patrick Stewart overacts, especial in the first half in his meanness. He probably wanted to impress audiences as being the most believable and hateful miser. But that has another effect - a negative one in the last scenes of the film,. He conversion and change of heart is the more unbelievable. And, that puts a major crimp on the whole story.
This is a good film to watch if one doesn't have the 1938, 1951 or 1984 versions.