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Director: David Hugh Jones

Release Date: 5 December 1999

Main Cast:

Patrick Stewart … Mr Ebenezer Scrooge

Richard E. Grant … Bob Cratchit

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In just one night, he has seen his past, his present and his future… And they’ve all come back to haunt him.

I love this story, and no Christmas Eve is complete without watching at least one of the two best versions out there; the other being The Muppet Christmas Carol (also reviewed on this site).

Patrick Stewart is perfectly cast as Scrooge and his performance of a mean and bitter yet lonely man evokes feelings of contempt and pity for him.

My only gripe about it is the overly nauseating Cratchit family. Richard E. Grant somehow feels miscast as Bob Cratchit (although my dislike of the actor might be clouding my judgement here!), and Tiny Tim is just way too annoying for me. But then again, I also don’t like cloyingly sweet children, so perhaps it’s just me. I’ve read the book, and the Cratchit family are sickly sweet, but it just feels like everyone is hamming it up just a little too much.

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