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"This I will do. This I will gladly do." He is saying he will gladly ruin others Christmas joys in order to save one life. He knows there are going to be kids and adults alike who are sad and disappointed to not be able to ice skate that Christmas Day, BUT---but, Tim will live. He knows he is ruining something for someone, yet again, but it's to save someone instead of to recieve a personal gain...using a bag of cinders he stole from an old woman.

I liked how accurately gritty for the time period they made this version, but I have always been on the fence about Mrs. Cratchett being a witch. I still haven't figured out the point yet.

I LOVE the observations you made on that 2019 version of A Christmas Carol. You're so right about there being no joy in it to counterbalance the darkness, but it also missed the point by making Scrooge actively evil. That's not supposed to be Scrooge's M.O. As Sim, Scott, Stewart and all the other top-notch actors portray him, he's simply a man who's convinced himself that this is the way the business world works, and it's not his fault it is the way it is. But, he probably tells himself, it's not as though he's done anything EVIL...he's never KILLED anyone, right? (As Sim's Scrooge says to Marley, "We were no worse than any other businessman...no better, either, I suppose.") Which is why he's so shocked when he sees Marley's fate in the afterlife...he never thought about the fact that evil isn't just what you do, but what you DON'T do. They could have had a good adaptation by focusing on that instead. But of course, Game of Thrones is popular and all the cool kids are nihilists, so we've got to pile on more grimdarkness that wasn't there in the original. Scrooge being sexually abused by his schoolmaster with his father's full knowledge, his sister coming to rescue him by pulling a gun on said schoolmaster, Mrs. Cratchit dropping an F-bomb and being responsible for conjuring the spirits...I swear, the whole thing sounds like an SNL sketch of a dark-and-gritty Christmas Carol reboot!

Wouldn't Hammer have made a great adaptation of A Christmas Carol? Not that they would have turned it into a horror movie, but they could have made the most of the story's darker, spookier elements, without necessarily skimping on the more joyous aspects as well. And wouldn't Christopher Lee have made a first-rate Scrooge? And wouldn't Peter Cushing have made a top-notch Marley?

You don't recognize Patrick Macnee as young Jacob Marley? He would go on to fame as John Steed in The Avengers TV series. ("Mrs. Peel, we're needed!") He also showed up as James Bond's ally in Roger Moore's last Bond film, A View To A Kill.

Where can I reach you? I wanna talk to you about your Phantom project.

A great video, done with knowledge and affection.

Well if you're committed to getting 'Sim' right, then I suppose you should also get 'Alastair' right. It's pronounced: A-le-ster (emphasis on first syllable).

THIS has been my favorite Christmas Carol review EVER! When you started crying, well, it made it all the better. I saw a few minutes a few years ago but gave up for some reason. Will revisit. Thank you

I’m thrilled to find this and seeing that you enjoyed this version as much as I did! You tearing up with the Lottie scene had me tearing up remembering. Thank you for your work and dedication.

Well thank you again for another discovery. I had figured the Seymour Hicks version was first, so this was charming. And to tell so much in so little time is impressive. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving. 🦃🍁

Its Pure Rubbish

I would so love to stream it or buy it but I can't find this version online - just a version in very poor quality here on youtube. Could anybody tell me where to find it - would also buy a DVD

A great review. I'm sure you must have seen the Donald McDuck version too. Any idea why they changed the year to 1860?

That scene didn't ruin it for me it made it for me. Well darling, if you really doubt the supernatural abilities of a woman's power why you don't, you try and cross a woman as badly as Scrooge crossed Cratchit wife and see how much power a woman doesn't have. I guess I do agree at first at first glance with you that it took it too far by undressing her but then. One has to ask ourselves who are the real scrooge's in life if it is not the godless and isn't the godless the ones take things too far morally. We see it every day yet we've tried to push it down and ignore it in the dark recesses of our psyche. How can anybody harbour without real abusive boiling resentment to summon such dark spirits without truly being dragged into the abyss of the misery of mortal sin. Having her wait on him around the house would not have made any soul angry enough to conjure dark spirits. Though I do agree, it needed more benevolent scenes. This version of A Christmas Carol rather juxtaposes our idea of good & evil, very much in keeping with what's real and dark in this world but the only reason why anybody enjoys watching A Christmas Carol is because you want to see the light at the tunnel. That Redemption is possible for sinners but psychopaths? In psychiatry there are two types of dysfunctional psychosis I was told that I'm not redeemable because a they are truly are godless and b they believe themselves too smart to be taught by anybody. Well maybe we can't truly be Christian if we don't believe that no matter how evil one becomes redemption is still possible was the message but I guess this gritty pilot didn't take off and maybe it was meant to drag out into multiple seasons for greater character development towards a subtle light at the end of the tunnel. And because that didn't happen the ending was rather deflating. What is enjoy watching this as much as I hope that could being the proud fact that Guy Pearce in Australia that was in it in a brilliant underrated actor but I can't say that I've ever watched A Christmas Carol which is or witches a more thought-provoking!

Love it. Masterpiece.

You're one of the few TH-camrs where I will drop whatever I'm doing and immediately watch one of your videos when I see it pop up in my notifications. If there was such a thing as "Professor of Christmas Carol Adaptations" you would certainly win that title. Another great informative analysis as always. This one in particular was interesting to watch because the 1935 version is the one I despise the most. For me, I thought it was dull, lacked energy and wasn't that creative in how it presented it's story. You said the exact opposite, though I disagreed with your opinions I enjoyed hearing what you had to say. That's one of the reasons I love your videos, you can find the good qualities in almost everything. In todays world of cynical ranting reviewers, your calm and professional demeanor is exactly what we need right now. I'm eagerly awaiting your 1984 commentary video.

Well I have to disagree with Rice and Webber the move is the best and as I live in London was able though the decades to watch quite a few of the stage shows through the decades including the one where they looked for the actor to play Jesus on a tv show and that was awful, in fact I had bought tickets before I knew who was going to play the main roles and then realised I didn’t like any of them, but the rest of the ensemble cast were amazing … none of the stage shows comes close to the movie the combination of 70s fashion and the era fits perfectly…

😊 Thanks so much. Phantom is one of my favorite silent movies because I’m a huge admirer of Lon Chaney. I’d heard how this one was pieced together like a Frankenstein’s creature. I guess the leftover comedy efforts are the dude jumping through the trap door? 🤦🏽‍♀️ And I have watched numerous YT videos asked the question of our age: what the heck is the guy doing with the lantern? 😅 But now I’m very curious about the religious complaints as I’m Protestant but nothing in the movie struck me as even borderline offensive. So I’m guessing the cemetery scene has only been in the musical and for me, that’s a very poignant moment for Christine and the audience for we see how the Phantom was so capable of deceiving her. Me and Mr Julian have a mixed history 😂 I think he was brought in on Phantom as a replacement? He was brought in as a replacement for Erich von Stroheim on Merry-Go-Round. I think Cat Creeps might be lost? Have I even seen anything of his where I can judge him as a director and not a “ well WW need somebody to finish this. See if Rupert is available.” Anyway, I love the history. I love hearing how these movies are put together. And I had NO idea about the 1916 version. I knew there was supposedly a - not sure if the country - Sivert, Hungarian Dracula that would be the first: if it existed as it predates Nosfertu. I’d love for someone to find THAT in great grand-mom’s attic.

You should do a commentary/review of the George C Scott one next 👍

The Spanish version is better except for Dracula himself. Lugosi stole the role. The Spanish actor can't hold a candle to Lugosi. In fact, no other actor since has come close. Of course, Lugosi being from the same country/area where Dracula is from gave him a huge advantage with his accent and intonation described by Stoker in the novel. As well as his natural strangeness described by Stoker.

I can’t believe it took you so long to see Poltergeist. 😂 Agree with you wholeheartedly on The Haunting of Hill House. I read the book for Halloween this year (first time), then lucked out and found the movie on Tubi. I kind of thought Claire Bloom played Theo a little bitchier than she was in the book, but it was still good. However, Julie Harris was book Eleanor up and down. I was amazed at how well she caught that character who is hovering between her sad pathetic life and going insane about a place she feels is hers spiritually. I am so thankful the professor’s wife was changed for the movie and that the annoying Scottish assistant was left out. Those two were at the top of my list of “Please ghosts - take them out. PLEASE!” I know the jump scare you mean! That was incredible! What can I say about The Shining 😊 The Razzies have been pointless for a while. If I meet someone who dislikes the movie, they have logical reasons so I understand. The Razzies probably thought something stupid. The movie is iconic - nobody remembers the Razzie committee. Revenge is sweet. 😂 And the original 13 Ghosts I saw again a few months ago. I first saw it on an afternoon matinee movie show when I was 6. My grandmother had a LOT of exposing to do after that bless her. 🤣 And I know what you mean. Those sounds at the start were a tad chilling. And the headless Lion tamer and his lion were my favorites. Thanks for a walk down memory lane. 😁

Special thanks to our first ever patron, Steven R, for making this video possible! You can sign up to support the channel and my upcoming film by becoming a patron too, by going to the link below: www.patreon.com/c/ramblingdirector

The sort of story that would appeal to Telegram Boys.

Another excellent video from the best channel on youtube. The timing was great (happy Election day1!), and yes this is a real FILM REVIEW. The 1935 Scrooge is a gem of a film, I'm so glad you're opening doors for people to experience it. Also, bonus points for speaking to "God Save the Queen!"

This is one I discovered years ago and I think I found it at a video store (that dates my discovery 😂) and thought I’d check it out as I didn’t know Seymour Hicks. Now I watch it annually along with the Reginald Owen and Alistair Sim versions. EDIT: You briefly mentioned the Guy Pierce version. I watched it cause I like Guy Pierce, but the layout was dreadful to me. When it ended, I was just thankful it was over…then went to take a shower. 😂 I’ve talked to a few who likes it but most I spoke to do not and like me were revolted by it. I’m not naive enough to think things such as child abuse etc but that version seemed to stray so far, especially as Scrooge didn’t seem to get the redemption we’re all accustomed to. I’m not even touching on Mrs. Crachitt being a freaking witch. 🤦🏽‍♀️

You have an interesting analysis of the film and the painting. I enjoyed it very much. 😊

Just rewatched in a local cinema, it will forever be the textbook definition of a masterpiece

Do you speaker Spanish? What exactly are you comparing?

Thanx for yap facing through this NOT

Spanish language version is superior in every way to the English language version.

I love Halloween remake 1/2 i like Halloween 2018 and Halloween kills and Halloween ends and Halloween original

Halloween 2 is a personal favorite

Is chaney playing dracula? I don't see any reference to son?

Good video! Agreed!

HURD HATFIELD WAS IN A FEW EPS OF MURDER SHE WROTE!!!! PEACE ND LOVE ON PLANET EARTH

Bad move with the thumb nail BTW but the review was VG !!!😄😃 Just one more thing with the painting... He seems to be surrounded by demons and like a tangle of flesh or something on his right... We live in the age of incompetence and computers wont fix it.

Saw this movie 1960ish... and without knowing tech talk felt all those things you mentioned. But for me there was a life shaking effect in the aftermath. One major ambient scene you forgot to mention was the swinging lantern after DG stabs the painting. Or couldve been when he stabs his painter friend???... Also, maybe the TV was set darker which played into the dark themes. Back in the day 40 years old WAS considered old (matured) For me the ambience was all consuming and the movie is one of the great master pieces. Certainly puts modern hollywood to shame...

Will you be doing an Audio Commentary of the 1984 Christmas Carol this year for Christmas?

My cozy Halloween films 😊The Raven with Karloff, Price, Lorre and a very young Jack Nicholson; The Pit and the Pendulum with Price (again), The Masque of the Red Death (good grief Vincent again); The Bride of Frankenstein with Karloff; The Mummy (yep, Karloff) and I LOVE The Invisible Msn with Claude Rains. I appreciate the original Universal monsters. There are others like The Shining, but the main ones I mentioned are the ones I watch annually and I love getting tucked in with a warm cup of cocoa while I watch. And no, it’s not Halloween but it has a ghost. The Ghost and Mrs Muir with Rex Harrison and Gene Tierney. Yeah it’s also a romance and not technically “Halloween” but it’s MY Halloween. Oh and Psycho 😁

Fun fact the skeleton was played by the original voice of piccolo from the ocean dub of dragonball z

You explain so well. Thank you.

Love this movie to death but it makes me really sad that they clearly used a real and very distressed cat (you know the scene)

To be honest, much as I love his other films, I didn't like Norman's interpretation of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Ahh... The subtle, less obvious approach of foreign production... Many such cases.

Good to see you're back!

Correction: in the video I say I'd like to see more "Bill and George." I meant to say, "Bill and Charlie." I say it quick so most people probably didn't catch it, but I wanted to make it clear who I'm talking about.

@Rambling Director Harry Potter is my favorite series! How would you rank the books and why?

I love the video

If I could like this a million times I would, I agree with all of this!