How many times have you read that somebody thinks the Blu-Ray version of an old movie isn't worth spit? Why some people have issues with Blu-Ray releases I feel can be usually found in the tools they use to view the movie. Subpar Blu-Ray players hooked up to mediocre TVs, with sound being heard through tinny speakers will always result in a less than steller viewing experience. Maybe the system they are using hasn't been optimized. Perhaps adjustments to color, contrast, brightness, and sound, which are necessary to let the quality of the Blu-Ray shine through, have been ignored. The quality of a Blu-Ray isn't always in the eye of the beholder if that beholder has no idea how to optimize the system the movie is playing through. Not all Blu-Ray upgrades are good- but on the whole, they are a definite improvement over upconverted DVD.

I apologize for the rant. My review:

I've been watching this movie ever since it aired way back in 1984(?). The quality of the acting, production values, direction and the overall spirit of the film are legend. George C. Scott lives and breathes Scrooge. The rest of the actors are just as strong. If you've seen the movie you probably agree. The last disc version I have before this was DVD. The picture was fine on my old 36" tube set but on a 50" Panasonic, upconverted through a Panasonic Blu-ray player it struggled to have depth. The sound was so-so ( afterall this was a movie made for TV ) but the production quality and the spirit of the show managed to overcome these visual and sonic shortcomings.

I watched the Blu-Ray version of this movie for the first time last night and was impressed. Here was an upgrade to Blu-Ray that clarified everything about this old stalwart. The color, contrast, sharpness and especially the sound ( now in 7.1 DTS-HD ) were all greatly improved. I've seen older movies where going to Blu-Ray resulted in graininess and distorted memory colors ( flesh tones, hair color, forest green ) but not with this Blu-ray. The close-up skin tones are smooth, fleshy and totally devoid of grain. The subdued colors of Scrooge's bedroom and his workplace are just that- suddued. There are also scenes when the sharpness and depth of contrast are startling ( when Scrooge is transported back to his school days and his father arrives to take him home the scene almost has a 3D quality about it). Even though presented in 1.33:1 full screen ( old TV ratio ) the movie never seems hemmed-in or held back from being grand in scope.

I don't like long-winded reviews so I'll just finish by saying, in my opinion, this is a quality, all-to-gether enjoyable upgraded rendition of a true classic. The improvements in appearance, sound and nuance mark it as a well-handled worthwhile Blu-Ray release. This version will make you sit up and become even more aware of just how much of a timeless masterpiece this production truly is.

If you enjoyed this movie in DVD this new Blu-Ray is worth every penny as an upgrade into the realm of HD. It will keep you entertained for many years to come (that is, of course, until the 3D version comes along ;-).

This is an accessible telling of one of the best stories of Christmas ever told. The sights, sounds and feel of the Dickensian London are captured here like nowhere else. We are far removed from that in our modern times. Most of all, if you will suspend your belief that George C. Scott was in fact Gen. Patton himself out there standing in front of full-screen American flag, you will love Scott's performance. I've read the reviews and agree that there is some very fine acting in other productions. I imagine that George C. Scott built his Ebenezer by standing on those shoulders, then adding his own portrayal of hubris. But it isn't just Scott who shines. Older movies water down the grim ugliness of the real story from Dickens. Christmas Present is portrayed here like nowhere else I have seen. He opens his robes to reveal the children he protects, Ignorance and Want. If you will allow, it will strike you down to your knees. The poor, unemployed father who is huddled with his faithful wife and family under a bridge on Christmas Day - their honest love for each other in their squalor surpasses the circumstances of Scrooge's measured splendor.

When the chastised and humbled Ebenezer accepts his nephew's Christmas Day invitation, have your box of Kleenex handy. He steps out of his protective shell and into the warm sunshine of redemption. The joy in the family and ready acceptance of their uncle, well, that is exactly how love works.

I hate to compare this to the Patton performance, which was astounding. He gave the great general the honor he was due. But this performance had a positive affect on my heart. I understand that writing this story had the most profound effect on Charles Dickens himself. If you are in London, look for a walking tour of London and go on the Charles Dickens Walk. You'll enjoy seeing the places where Charles Dickens lived and wrote his stories. Scrooge may have been an exaggerated self-portrait for Dickens.

I read the one star critiques and others who argue that Alistair Sim was a far better Scrooge. Perhaps. And I wasn't born when Barrymore played Scrooge on radio productions. I'm sure my grandparents would prefer Barrymore over Sim by "leaps and bounds." The older production quality cannot live up to modern expectations. If you're some kind of acting purist, get the 1951 Alistair Sim and a few others. Then get this one so you can actually enjoy the story and experience what life looked like in a time when the poor didn't have a "safety net" or anything else to keep them warm in winter. This has the production details to show you the look and feel of a time that we can hardly imagine anymore. You can enjoy this in secret while telling your snooty friends that you only bought this "for the kids."

George C. Scott Did a masterful job of helping to recreate early 19th century England in this retelling of Charles Dickens' classic tale!

This is the best quality movie you are going to find. We love classic movies and this will play at least twice a year without fail.

I love A CHRISTMAS CAROL in just about all its forms. The book, of course, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Alistair Sims' production, even Mister Magoo's, all of them are very good,.and I'll happily watch any of them. But this one, to me, stays closest to the spirit of the book, and while there are things that I don't like (Jacob Marley's ghost needed an echo chamber, Angela Pleasence' Ghost of Christmas Past needed a new hairdo, the Ghost of Christmas yet to come needs to give E.T. back his finger and oil his wheels) they are minor and easily ignored in my enjoyment. Some versions take the plot and run away with it (Scrooge and Marley putting old Fezziwig out of business, and Belle ending up a charitable spinster, for example, in the Sims version). This one generally follows it very well.

From a history standpoint, the costumes are well-researched, and by them I can pinpoint the decade in which the story is set. The conversations and turns of phrase ring true, as well. It is all very well done, right down to Tiny Tim truly looking like a sickly child rather than a jolly, round-cheeked fellow in one of the other shows.

The cast is impeccable, from George C. Scott: "Don't beg on this corner, boy!" to Edward Woodward, "It's all Bob Cratchitt can AFFORD!" to Susannah York "I'll give him a piece of my mind - and hope he has a good appetite for it!" to David Warner, who puts in a good performance as Bob Cratchitt, to Roger Rees, who plays Fred Hollowell and narrates the story. As one who was in amateur theater, I have to say that the movie gives all the signs of a cast that 'clicked' and enjoyed each other's company.

I think one of the earmarks of a truly good production (at least for the person who perceives it as such) is the way that aspects of it come back to the mind after the show is over. "Aw wouldn't 'ave loitered about if 'e 'ad been catchin'!", "As tight as your Uncle Scrooge's Purse Strings!", "You're devilish hard to have a conversation with!" I like most of the productions but, for me, George C. Scott's version is one of 'the indispensables'. Do yourself a favor and watch it. Even if it does not become your favorite, I think you will enjoy it.

...Oh - and the words to 'God Bless Us Every One', the song sung during the closing credits, are now available if you do a Google Search.