So Robert Zemeckis has some new “Christmas Carol” coming out with his weird, mo-cap animation stuff that no one really likes but he won’t stop using. Lots of people have taken this opportunity to start listing off “great” past Carols. For some reason, “Scrooged” is always there, as well as some crap starring Albert Finney and a bunch of versions I’ve never heard of. Don’t know, don’t care. Let me be perfectly frank here:
The 1984, made for television version of “A Christmas Carol” starring George C Scott is the definitive Christmas Carol. Ka boom. Now I could tolerate people disagreeing, but why does no one even mention Scott’s power-house rendition of the lead character? Or Roger Rees, the only man to ever give Fred Holliway a freaking pulse? Angela Pleasance is utterly creepy as Christmas Past, Edward Woodword dominates Present, and Future is…well…you know the deal with Future. To top it all off, the script follows the short story with exhaustive faithfulness (and does not suffer in any way for doing so), and the on-location, “actual factual” production design is stunning. These are real London streets, real creaking mansions lit only with candles. Director Clive Donner, a veteran of television movies, keeps things brisk and stays out of the way.
So I don’t care if it’s not your favorite, but from now on I want to see this classic at least put on the freaking short list. This is ridiculous, people. I know it’s not your fault, Dear Reader, but go yell at whoever you decide is to blame for me. Set them straight.
0 Responses to “Let Me Make A Point Here”