Review of A Christmas Carol (1984) by Mac M — 22 Dec 2017

Ugh, this version of Dickens' much loved fable is very stale fare indeed. Scott's Scrooge, with the occasional exception, is so very one note, he looks like he's on auto pilot for much of the film. Warner's Cratchit is far too poised and self assured for a character that is supposed to be downtrodden, stressed out, browbeaten but again his mildly perturbed and shrugging "oh well, what you can you do" performance is very much in keeping with Scott's slightly grumpy and disinterested Scrooge.

The problems though, aren't limited to those two actors, the guy playing Fred the nephew isn't nearly as charming and likeable enough for the part he plays and at times even comes across as quite reserved. The ghost of Christmas past looks like an 80's new romantic pop star. Marley's ghost looks like a hammy Shakespearean luvvie in heavy grey makeup - ala Alec Guinness in the musical version - and isn't at all believable as a condemned spirit.

The classical beauty Susannah York as Mrs Cratchit is also an ill fit, far too aristocratic and perfectly turned out. The only part not horribly miscast is Edward Woodward as the ghost of Christmas present and even he does nothing special with the role and struggles to instil any emotion into the film.

I'm completely baffled as to how anyone could cite this movie as being one of the best versions and as being better than the wholly superior Patrick Stewart version. I guess it's true, there really is no accounting for taste.