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."

Scrooge (1970), Starring Albert Finney: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

Title:  Scrooge

Adaptation:  Starring Albert Finney as Ebenezer Scrooge

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

THU,  5 NOV 1970 U.S.A.

MON, 30 NOV 1970 U.K.

 

My Rating:  *****

Format Reviewed:  live-action film, on DVD

 

Runtime:  113 minutes

 

Availability:  

As of March 2, 2021, copies of this film, on BluRay, are available, online, for approximately $10 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

Yes, this adaptation is somewhat reverent, but also humorous.

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

Yes. (See below.)

 

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

Yes.  The Cratchits say this together on Christmas Day, in their home.

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
Even though she doesn't usually like musicals, this is one of her favorite adaptations of A Christmas Carol.

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

London, England, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 1860

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

British English.

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

This adaptation follows the original novel fairly well, but this adaptation takes place in 1860, about the time the British started minting its copper coins in bronze instead of copper, instead of in 1843, as some versions portray.  In the novel, the Ghost of Christmas Present indicates that he has more than 1,800 brothers, but doesn't specify more precisely how many.  In this adaptation, the year is indicated when the Ghost of Christmas Present (played by Kenneth More) asks Scrooge what year it is, and Scrooge tells him, "1860." 

Instead of beginning with a narration about Marley being dead, this film begins with a scene of children singing "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!" from door to door, until they reach Scrooge's place of business.  Scrooge threatens them with a coal shovel, so they mock him by calling him "Father Christmas," in a song that they sing about him. 

Fred (Michael Medwin) visits Scrooge in his office, but the portly gentlemen do not ask for his donation, until he has dismissed Bob Cratchit (David Collings), and is locking the door to his office from the outside.

After work, Bob Cratchit is seen with one of his daughters, and Tiny Tim (Richard Beaumont), shopping on their way home.

Scrooge is seen going about the streets interrupting various people at their places of business, to remind them how much they owe him and when.  While in the street, he sings a song, "I Hate People."  

 
Jacob Marley (Alec Guinness), visits Scrooge, and shows him the other ghosts outside his window, with their chains.

Then the Ghost of Christmas Past (Edith Evans) visits him, looking more like Mrs. Santa Claus than a Ghost of Christmas Past.

As with several other versions, this version shows Scrooge meeting "Belle" (Suzanne Neve) at Fezziwig's Christmas ball, although she is apparently Isabel Fezziwig, one of Mr. Fezziwig's daughters or nieces.  Laurence Naismith plays Mr. Fezziwig, and Kay Walsh, Mrs. Fezziwig.

This ball is very elaborate, with a fiddler playing for the dancers, who sing a unique song about Christmas:  "December the 25th!"

This is followed by a duet between old Scrooge and Isabel when he sees her curtailing their engagement to be married.

The Ghost of Christms Present is perhaps the most impudent and sarcastic Ghost, often belittling earthlings in general, and Scrooge in particular.  But he serves Scrooge his special wine, and sings a song with him about liking and enjoying life, and Scrooge finds he enjoys the wine and life more than he anticipated.

Tiny Tim sings a solo for Christmas.

Fred's wife (Mary Peach) insists that they and their guests play a game called "The Minister's Cat," which proves to be hilarious, as the clapping players try to think of adjectives for the Minister's Cat, which start with certain letters of the alphabet by the time it's their turn to say, "The Minister's Cat is a such-and-such cat!"

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (Paddy Stone) shows Scrooge a parade in honor of his death, although he doesn't realize it.  Everyone sings praise and thanks to him, apparently for dying, but Scrooge, not realizing he's in his own funeral procession, keeps asking what he did to deserve such gratitude, and starts singing and dancing in the parade, in celebration of his death, "Thank You Very Much!"  This is perhaps the most hilarious musical number in the film!

Scrooge also finds himself descending into hell where he sees Jacob Marley again, and receives his own ponderous chain, in a cold cell similar to the one he keeps Bob Cratchit in.

Then he wakes up in his own bed.  He has a boy buy the prize turkey and bring it to him, but, instead of sending it to Bob's, he takes it to him personally, with an entourage of children.  He meets Fred and his wife in the street, and gives them presents, so Fred's wife invites him to dinner at their house that day. 

Then Scrooge buys or rents a Father Christmas costume, which he wears to Bob's to give him the turkey, as well as other presents for his wife and children.  All of this is done with a lot of singing, bell ringing, pipe playing and dancing in the street.  Scrooge even slides on the ice like a child.

Finally, Scrooge returns home to prepare for his dinner invitation, and bids farewell to the door knocker where he previously saw Marley's face.

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

Yes, this film features ghosts and time travel.

Is this adaptation "framed"?    No.

Is this adaptation a musical?  Yes!

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

Original score by Herbert W. Spencer... Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse... (See above!)

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

(The set/wardrobe/art is poorly done/adequate/excellent. Give examples; e.g., such-and-such a poster is historically accurate.)

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

The transitions are adequate- mostly just cutting to (or fading in and out between) the next scene, as if in preparation for the insertion of commercials.

 

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

What use is made of background extras?  

Ample use is made of background extras, and many of them demonstrate the ability to sing, dance, and/or play various musical instruments. Some of the musical numbers are epic!

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is the overall sense of good humor.  It is also one of the most elaborate as far as dancers, singers, and musicians, as well as sets and wardrobe.

 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 

Scene selection and English subtitles are available on the DVD.

 

Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

A Christmas Carol (1984), Starring George C. Scott: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

Title:  A Christmas Carol

Adaptation:  Starring George C. Scott as "the Scrooge"

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

FRI, 23 NOV 1984, U.K.

MON, 17 DEC 1984, U.S.A.

 

My Rating:  ****

Format Reviewed:  live-action, feature-length film, on DVD

 

Runtime:  100 minutes

 

Availability:  

As of February 19, 2021, copies of this film, on DVD, are available, online, for approximately $10 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

Yes, this adaptation is reverent, starting with a rendition of the hymn "On Christmas Night All Angels Sing." 

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

Yes. (See above/below.)

 

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

Yes, Tim Cratchit says, "God bless us, everyone!"

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
She likes it.

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

Victorian England

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

English.

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

This adaptation follows the original novel fairly well. It begins with a narrator (Roger Rees) stating that Marley (Frank Finlay) is dead.  Fred (also played by Roger Rees) visits Scrooge in his office on Christmas Eve.  The portly gentlemen seeking a donation do not.  Scrooge leaves Bob Cratchit (David Warner) working in his office, while he goes to the Exchange.  En route, he discovers Tiny Tim Cratchit (Anthony Walters) waiting for his father.

At the exchange, in a scene not included in the original novel, Scrooge sells his corn to some businessmen.

After closing the corn deal, Misters Poole and Hacking (Michael Gough and John Quarmby, respectively) introduce themselves to Mr. Scrooge, seeking a donation.

Bob closes shop without Scrooge, and takes Tiny Tim to Cornhill to watch the other boys play in the snow and slide on the ice.

Meanwhile, Scrooge returns home, where he sees Marley's face on his door knocker. Jacob Marley appears, but does not show Scrooge the other ghosts, although Scrooge hears them as Marley departs through his window.

The Ghost of Christmas Past (Angela Pleasance) appears, and takes Ebenezer back to one of his lonely Christmases at a boarding school, where old Scrooge tells the Ghost that his father held a grudge against him because his wife (Scrooge's mother) died giving birth to him.

Then Fan (Joanne Whalley) appears to Scrooge after he has become a young man (Mark Strickson), and takes Scrooge outside the school, where their father (Nigel Davenport) is waiting for them, and where he informs Scrooge that he will begin working for Mr. Fezziwig (Timothy Bateson) as an apprentice three days later.

As their carriage departs, old Scrooge and the Ghost remain, discussing Fan and her son, whom Scrooge identifies as Fred Holywell, although his surname was never given in the original novel.

Then the Ghost takes Scrooge to Mr. Fezziwig's place of business, where his young self and Dick Wilkins (Spencer Banks) celebrate Christmas with their old boss, his wife (Pat Rose) and their three daughters, their suitors, and Belle (Lucy Gutteridge).

Then the Ghost shows Ebenezer the day Belle broke off their engagement to be married, and another day, when she is playing outside in the snow with her children as her husband (Peter Settelen) approaches, and informs her that he saw Ebenezer, whose partner was about to die.

Then Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Present (Edward Woodard) who takes him into the streets on Christmas Day, and to the home of Bob Cratchit, where Bob informs his son, Peter (Kieran Hughes) that Fred has offered him (Peter) a job as an apprentice for three Shillings and six Pence a week.

Then the Ghost takes Scrooge to his nephew's Christmas Party, where one of the guests mocks him.

Afterward, the Ghost takes Scrooge to the streets, where he hears a homeless family discussing their limited options.  

The Ghost also shows Scrooge the wretched children under his robe.

Then the Ghost leaves Scrooge in the street, cold and alone in the dark, in a place unfamiliar to him, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come appears to him.

First, this Ghost shows him the Exchange, where three businessmen discuss his death.

Secondly, the Ghost takes him into his own home, where his corpse apparently lies under a sheet.

Thirdly, the Ghost takes him to old Joe (Peter Woodthorpe's) pawn shop, where's Mrs. Dilber (Liz Smith) sells Scrooge's belongings.

Finally, the Ghost takes Scrooge to his tombstone.

Back in his room, Scrooge discovers it's Christmas Day.  After having a boy fetch the poulterer, Scrooge takes a walk, dropping money in the can of some carolers, and pledging a donation to the portly gentlemen whom he happens to pass on the street.

Another scene shows the poulterer delivering the prize turkey to Bob Cratchit's house, where he explains that it was paid for by an anonymous benefactor.  The poulterer doesn't take a cab; he drives his own carriage. 

Finally, Scrooge visits his nephew for Christmas Dinner.

The next morning, he waits for Bob to arrive late, only to double his salary, and promise to help him ensure that Tim's health would improve.

 

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

Yes, this film features ghosts and time travel.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  No. 

Is this adaptation a musical?  No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

Music by Nick Bicât... In addition to "On Christmas Night All Christians Sing," carolers sing "I Saw Three Ships," as well as "Peace on Earth/God Bless Us Everyone," which was apparently written specifically for this adaptation.

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The sets, wardrobe, and architecture are excellent.

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

The transitions are adequate.  The Ghost of Christmas Past shows scenes from the past in the reflection of her cap.  The Ghost of Christmas Present shows scenes in the flames of his torch.  The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come changes scenes with bolts of lightning and claps of thunder.

 

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

T.B.D.

 

What use is made of background extras?  

(Give specific examples of scenes with adequate or inadequate numbers of background extras.)

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

The most remarkable thing about this adaptation is, perhaps, the song "Peace on Earth/God Bless Us Everyone," which is played repeatedly throughout the film.

 

Of course, it is also remarkable that George C. Scott stars in this adaptation, but this is part of why it doesn't "work" for me; he will always be General George S. Patton to me.

 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 

T.B.D.