Probably more films of A Christmas Carol exist than any other novel by the prolific Victorian writer. My favourite is the one starring Alastair Sims, with The Muppets (featuring Michael Caine in the lead role) a close second! No film though can really reproduce Dickens ability to prouce the atmosphere of suspense, fear, menace and horror. We probably all know this tale - indeed the very name Scrooge has become a synonym for haters of the spirit of Christmas. Mean minded financier Scrooge begins the story openly hating every aspect of Christmas - he despises those who try to dispense joy and charity at this season. On Christmas Eve night he is haunted first by the ghost of his dead partner Marley who portrays the fate of those who lead a mean life - doomed to wander the worls clad in the chains of their own making. Marley's ghost is follwed by three spirits, Christmases past, present and yet to come - each bearing a message of the fate of Scrooge if he doesn't mend his ways. When Ebenezer Scrooge awakes on Christmas morn he is a reformed character and rewards his downtrodden clerk Bob Cratchett, gives money to the needy, and assists Tiny Tim, saving his life in the process. Excellent writing - but probably only worth reading at this time of the year! Rating 8/10
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