A Christmas Carol Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

A Christmas Carol Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 18, 2015

There’s no shortage of adaptations when it comes to “A Christmas Carol.” The Charles Dickens novel has been examined throughout all types of media, but it’s rare when a production manages to find the right tone of misanthropy and salvation that defines the story. 1984’s “A Christmas Carol” originated as a television movie, but the George C. Scott-starrer feels as vital as any big screen effort, leading a charge of operatic emotion that fills the film with tremendous spirit, making the strange journey of Ebenezer Scrooge feel vital once again.

Directed by Clive Donner, “A Christmas Carol” doesn’t color outside the lines, sticking close to Dickens’s work, which follow miserable miser Scrooge through a mysterious, ghostly night of fantasy and fate. Without a massive budget to work with, Donner chooses moments to carry the picture, emphasizing the character’s coldness and isolation from his own life, while spiritual influence is creatively imagined, sold wonderfully by a lively supporting cast who give the feature waves of creepiness and enlightenment. It’s a potent adaptation without drowning in sentimental behavior, respecting the intensity of Scrooge’s awakening by keeping the evening loaded with unnerving encounters.

A Christmas Carol Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation maintains consistency, dealing with an extremely gauzy appearance to maintain the period mood. Filtering remains with waxy appearances, but detail isn't completely buried, capturing boldly lined faces, make-up achievements, and set design. Fabrics also survive to a degree. Colors are preserved to satisfaction, providing accurate Christmas and Dickensian hues. Delineation encounters plenty of limited lighting, but manages adequately, never completely losing frame information. Source is in fine shape.

A Christmas Carol Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix brings surprising life to this television movie. While it doesn't take full advantage of surround engagement, ghostly activity carries depth, finding eeriness to Scrooge's journey. Dialogue exchanges are precise and emotive, handling performance speeds superbly. Scoring is big and defined, with welcoming instrumentation to set the seasonal mood. Atmospherics are satisfying, supplying pleasing group interactions and town bustle. Low-end is minimal, but some sense of metallic weight is periodically felt.

A Christmas Carol Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this disc.

A Christmas Carol Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The real reason to watch this particular version of "A Christmas Carol" is Scott, who's at his bellowed best here as Scrooge. In a career filled with towering achievements, this is truly some of the finest acting from the legend, who gives everything to the role, attempting to communicate the rising tide of guilt threatening to claim the character. It's an outstanding turn, and one that isn't wasted, allowed room to churn and explode in a movie that understands the key appeal of Dickens's work. Christmas bliss is felt, but more robust elements of drama secure the lasting power of the effort.