Scrooge

While Dickens’s tale of redemption needs little introduction, this classic 1970 musical adaptation wonderfully balances both the darkness and the joy of the story. Albert Finney stars as the miserly Scrooge, whose initial off-putting crotchety demeanor slowly melts as the Christmas ghosts offer him a chance to see his life from different perspectives.

Reflecting the spirit of Dickens’s original story, the tone shifts smoothly from grim seriousness to celebratory musical numbers. The ghost sequences range from the sympathetic Christmas Past to the enthusiastic Christmas Present, before arriving at the darker, more foreboding Christmas Yet to Come, complete with a vivid and somewhat frightening Hell sequence. The film also isn’t afraid of a bit of dark humor, as the most memorable song, “Thank You Very Much,” features a cheerful crowd celebrating Scrooge’s death while Scrooge himself watches with amusement, oblivious to what they’re celebrating.

For all its catchy music (written by the songwriter behind Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory), the film never lets the musical elements undermine the weight of Scrooge’s spiritual journey. As with other adaptations, the story may remind us that our choices today shape our destiny, and of our own need for redemption through Christ. The film is rated G and is appropriate for the whole family, though some creepy moments, including Scrooge’s brief visit to Hell, may be too scary for very young viewers.

Runtime: 1 hour, 53 minutes
Rated G
USCCB rating: A-I
IMDb Parents Guide
Is it streaming?