Lee

This is so far removed from the Dickens classic that I feel the title is simply bait. The original is about forgiveness and redemption and man's ability to change for the better. Scrooge goes through the terror of being visited by 3 spirits who force him to acknowledge the person he has become, and there is celebration when he changes his ways. This movie has little in common with Dickens' story. Scrooge's father being compensated for allowing the yearly rape of his young son, secret murder by Scrooge's sister, the reason for Marley visiting Scrooge, and Mrs Cratchett selling herself to Scrooge are just a few examples of the complete rewrite. And, where is the joy that Scrooge has known - the love he and is sister shared, his relationship with Belle, apprenticing with Fezziwig? He lost his way because he was obsessed with money, not because he had nothing good in his life. Also, the insinuation that Mary conjured the spirits was ridiculous. Sadly, there is no relationship between the Cratchett's and Scrooge in the end, which is integral to the lesson of A Christmas Carol. A Victorian setting, 3 Christmas spirits and a handful of names are the only things this movie has in common with the classic. I won't be watching this again and I don't recommend it. I do recommend the version staring George C. Scott as Scrooge.