An American Christmas Carol Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		2.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		2.5

An American Christmas Carol Blu-ray Movie Review

It's that time of year again.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 8, 2012

You can make this into anything you want.

"An oldie but a goodie" seems like an appropriate phrase applicable to both Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and Actor Henry Winkler's An American Christmas Carol. Dickens' immortal tale has been told in all styles and forms. The core story has saturated the worldwide conscience like few others before or since, the tale one not only of the spirit of Christmas but of the rewards of generosity and compassion. The tale is a benchmark for human decency not only for when the calendar turns towards the end of December but for each and every day, championing the importance of striving for not just personal success but in discovering the purpose behind and goodness of opening one's heart rather than closing out one's soul. 1979's An American Christmas Carol puts a new name and face on an old tale but retains the core story elements and thematic principles. It's a little redundant considering how often the story has been redone, but at the end of the day the picture and its story move the heart and reinforce the notion that there just cannot be enough uplifting, positive storytelling that champions kindness, selflessness, and even Christmas cheer.

Fonz and Eightball.

It's Christmastime in depression-era Concord, New Hampshire. Folks are out of work, money is short, and the town's miserly old curmudgeon Benedict Slade (Winkler) is in no mood to spread holiday cheer. In fact, he's out for blood. On Christmas eve, after handing out advice to local children rather than gifts, he and his partner Mr. Thatcher (R.H. Thomson) travel about the county repossessing goods from the least fortunate, including the Reeves family, the local orphanage, and a book shop in which Slade discovers -- and takes -- the owner's family heirloom, a priceless original edition of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. When Thatcher, who disapproves of his boss' methods, approaches him with a proposition to re-open a local quarry and put people to work, he's summarily dismissed and forced to return home with bad news and a bleak outlook for his sickly son. It would seem that Slade's work is done, but his Christmas is only beginning. When he destroys the Dickens book with the intention of selling it off as scrap, he's visited by several apparitions that guide him through his past, present, and possible future in an effort to make him see the error of his ways and fix his life -- beginning with this very Christmas -- before his petty existence comes to a disappointing end.

An American Christmas Carol doesn't bring anything new to the classic Dickens tale, but neither does it subtract any substance. The movie is pure and pleasant even if some names and locations have been altered in the process. The movie's spirit is free and readily evident, as is that of the original story. The picture moves a little slow at times but proves its worth in a number of ways, not the least of which is the agreeable air about it, the effortless retelling and adherence to the fundamental core themes that remain even when some of the superficial elements undergo a transformation that's not particularly necessary for the greater good of the Dickens tale but needed in an effort to "Americanize" the story and shift its time period to slightly more modern times. Better, the picture doesn't suffer from story overexposure. Even as audiences know exactly where the movie is going and how it will play out, it proves highly agreeable and likable and never thematically worn out or dramatically vacant. It's touching in all the right places and, by the end, tugs on the heartstrings even as viewers know how the story will play out before settling in for the opening titles. An American Christmas Carol gets it right; it's neither flashy nor even necessary, truth be told, but as an altered retelling of a timeless classic it's tough to top.

Henry Winkler is perhaps the film's greatest asset. The Happy Days star delivers an impressive performance, one that's dramatically nuanced and physically accurate to the part. Winkler tackles the extremes of his Slade character with the sort of precision required to truly bring the Scrooge-inspired geezer to life and convince audiences of his changing ways. Winkler doesn't simply go with the scripted flow but rather finds deep character angles and fleshes out the character from start to finish, offering a convincing transformation built on established characteristics at film's start and gradually softening up as he journeys through Slade's life. The makeup work is just as convincing and crucial to breathing life into the character; Winkler looks great at any age and captures the essence of his Slade character whether in his younger days or elder years under prosthetics and a wig. An American Christmas Carol also enjoys several strong supporting performances -- notably from Dorian Harewood and R.H. Thomson -- and impresses with its convincing period designs and Eric Till's (A Muppet Family Christmas) steady and unobtrusive direction.

An American Christmas Carol Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

An American Christmas Carol makes its Blu-ray debut with a satisfactory but at times problematic 1080p transfer that retains the film's original 4x3 aspect ratio, placing vertical "black bars" on either side of the 1.78:1 high definition display. The image offers acceptable levels of detail. The picture is never exactly crisp or razor-sharp; heavy softness permeates a few scenes but the transfer generally finds an acceptable middle ground. Nuanced textures are few, but viewers will appreciate the complexity with which the transfer displays heavy winter clothes, for example. Colors are a bit dim and the image plays with a slightly washed out look to it. Still, natural greens and multicolored clothing come through nicely enough, with fair balance and a hint of brilliance in a few spots. Blacks are sufficient though a bit noisy, while flesh tones are fair but perhaps a hair pale. Random pops and vertical lines are regular guests throughout. This is a lower end transfer that won't dazzle any viewers but that at least offers stability and the increased resolution of Blu-ray for larger displays.

An American Christmas Carol Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

An American Christmas Carol belts out a rather paltry LPCM 2.0 uncompressed soundtrack. The presentation is lackluster but serviceable at its best, lacking in range and sonic clarity but at least delivering the basics with little difficulty. The track proves occasionally harsh and mushy, offering some undefined sound effects that substitute volume for clarity. A cold, blowing winter wind plays as if a wall of undefined sound, and the din of a busy woodworking shop heard in chapter three also fails to create a sonically robust atmosphere, the scene only throwing sounds at the listener rather than offering more distinct, sonically alluring elements. A few basic effects come through a little more neatly and effectively, such as the rattle of Slade's old car and collection truck. Dialogue is a little uneven, wandering around the front end of the stage but not straying too far from center. Music plays with acceptable spacing and clarity. Overall, the track is something of a disappointment, but considering the age and source material, expecting much more would be unfair.

An American Christmas Carol Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Shout! Factory's Blu-ray release of An American Christmas Carol contains only one extra. In Interview with Henry Winkler (1080p, 8:41), the actor discusses his attachment to the project, his initial fear of taking on the role, accepting the part, the lengthy makeup application and removal process, forming his character, and the picture's legacy.

An American Christmas Carol Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

An American Christmas Carol might seem a little superfluous. To be sure, there are plenty of high quality A Christmas Carol adaptations out there, some as serious and straightforward as this and others a little more dramatically or visually adventuresome. Still, no ills befall this Henry Winkler version. It's honest to the source, changing up only names and places but leaving the core elements intact, and those elements to this day and through this edition prove as worthwhile as ever. The picture enjoys fine acting -- including Winkler's great performance -- and quality production elements. Shout! Factory's Blu-ray release of An American Christmas Carol features subpar video and audio. One brief extra is included. Recommended to fans and those in the holiday spirit if and when the disc drops in price to match the technical quality of the release.