Scrooge (1970)
Director: Ronald Neame
Starring: Albert Finney, Edith Evans, Kenneth More
Synopsis:
The skinflint money-lender Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three spirits for a last chance to reform his ways.
Impressions:
Okay, I admit it. I decided to watch this because of Sir Alec Guinness' role as Jacob Marley. I've said on more than one occasion that I'm not really one for musicals, but I wanted to see a range of adaptations for this feature, so this seemed like a good choice. I recall back in elementary school one of my teachers played the record of the movie's soundtrack because I remembered the song "I Hate People". (As I child, I thought, "But you're a person too." As an adult, I realize, "Yes, yes, he is. The point stands.") As far as production values are concerned, this is quite obviously a cheaper effort than the '84 film, but it's still perfectly respectable for what it is. Albert Finney does well in the role of Scrooge, and the songs are generally good with a few standouts like "I Like Life". Purists may not appreciate the additional Hell sequence, but if you're interested in expansion of the original material, it is kinda neat. There are other versions I prefer to this one, but I'd say it's still worth a watch.
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