Dr. Who: A Christmas Carol (2010): Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

 Title:  Dr. Who:  A Christmas Carol

Adaptation:  Starring Michael Gambon as Kazran Sardick (the Scrooge) and Elliot Sardick; Matt Smith as The Doctor

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

SAT, 25 DEC 2010 U.K. & U.S.A.

 

My Rating:  ***(Offensive Favorite)

Format Reviewed:  live-action film, on DVD

 

Runtime:  1 hour 2 minutes

 

Availability:  

As of November 9, 2021, copies of this film, on DVD, are available, online, for approximately $15 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

This adaptation is somewhat reverent, in that it seems to focus on the importance of human lives, and even the life of a potentially man-woman-and-child-eating shark.

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?

[T.B.D.]

 

Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?" 

[T.B.D.]

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
She thinks "it's weird."

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

On a futuristic planet, owned and operated by a Scrooge-like despot named Kazran Sardick, who is capable of freezing family members as collateral for debts, and reviving them years later.  He is also unimpressed by (and unconcerned with) Earthling spaceships entering his planet's atmosphere, and crashing and burning on its surface.

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

British English.

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?

This adaptation does not follow the original novel very closely.  Kazran Sardick is "the Scrooge."  A spaceship from Earth enters the angry fish filled cloud cover he maintains over the planet he rules.  The spaceship is about to crash, and several people beg for his assistance, but he insists on letting the Earthlings crash and die.  Dr. Who (Matt Smith) arrives and, in addition to begging for the Earthlings' lives, plays the role of the Ghost of Christmas Past, showing Kazran why he became the way he is.  By traveling through time, he meets Kazran as a boy (Laurence Belcher), and, returning every Christmas Eve for years, cultivates a friendship, and a romance between a young, adult Kazran (Danny Horn) and one of the people, Abigail (Katherine Jenkins) he kept frozen as collateral against her family's debt.  Dr. Who and Kazran unfreeze Abigail each Christmas Eve, and party together, then refreeze her.

Eventually, Kazran discovers that Abigail has a set number of days to live, and the next day Abigail is released, she will die.  This makes him a bitter man again, and he refuses to release Abigail again, and takes his frustration out on everyone else on his planet.

But Dr. Who needs Kazran to release Abigail to sing, soothe the angry sky fish, and save the Earthlings' spaceship.  Somehow, he persuades Kazran to release Abigail, let her sing, and enjoy her last Christmas Eve with him as best she can.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  

No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

No, it's more science fictional than supernatural.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  

No.

Is this adaptation a musical?  

No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

Music by Murray Gold. Abigail sings what sounds like opera music, which soothes the angry sky fish.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The sets, wardrobe, and special effects are good.

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?

The transitions are creative, startling, and intense.  Dr. Who turns up in startling places.  It's easy to understand why Kazran becomes frustrated with him after ordering his henchmen to remove him from his home office, only to discover removing him is virtually impossible.

 

What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included?  

The Doctor takes Kazran and Abigail on an aerial sleigh ride.  

 

What use is made of background extras?  

Adequate use is made of background extras.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

This is perhaps the most complicated adaptation of A Christmas Carol I've ever seen.  It requires its viewers to pay close attention in order to follow what's going on.
 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 

Scene selection and optional, English subtitles are available.  Two featurettes are included:  "Dr. Who Confidential Christmas Special 2010" and "Dr. Who at the Proms 2010."