Scrooge Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Grumpy old man gets gaslit by ghosts and learns to like Christmas, mostly because he’s rich enough to buy everyone’s affection.

🍿 Scrooge: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Miser’s Christmas Eve

In 1860 London, Ebenezer Scrooge is a cold-hearted miser who despises Christmas and all things cheerful. He mistreats his employee, Bob Cratchit, and refuses to donate to charity. Scrooge’s only concern is accumulating wealth, leaving him isolated and bitter.

The Haunting of Jacob Marley

On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley. Marley, now condemned to wander the earth in chains, warns Scrooge that he faces a similar fate unless he changes his ways. He informs Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits.

The Ghost of Christmas Past

The first spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Past, takes Scrooge on a journey through his past. He revisits his lonely childhood, his apprenticeship with the kind Mr. Fezziwig, and his lost love, Isabel. Scrooge witnesses how his pursuit of wealth led him to abandon love and happiness.

The Ghost of Christmas Present

The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the realities of Christmas for those around him. He witnesses the Cratchit family’s meager but joyful celebration, highlighting Tiny Tim’s illness and the family’s unwavering spirit. He also sees his nephew Fred’s warm Christmas gathering, where Fred expresses pity for Scrooge’s self-imposed isolation.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

The final spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, presents Scrooge with a bleak vision of his future. He sees a world where his death is met with indifference and where Tiny Tim has died. Confronted with the consequences of his choices, Scrooge is terrified and desperately seeks redemption.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ebenezer Scrooge (Albert Finney): A miserly old businessman who undergoes a profound experience of redemption after being visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve.
• Jacob Marley’s Ghost (Alec Guinness): Scrooge’s deceased business partner, now a tormented spirit, who warns him of the consequences of his avarice and announces the arrival of the three spirits.
• Ghost of Christmas Past (Edith Evans): The first spirit who guides Scrooge through his past, revealing the events and choices that shaped him into a miser.
• Ghost of Christmas Present (Kenneth More): The jovial second spirit who shows Scrooge the realities of Christmas for those around him, particularly the Cratchit family.
• Bob Cratchit (David Collings): Scrooge’s underpaid and overworked clerk, who represents the plight of the poor and the importance of family and compassion.
• Mr. Fezziwig (Laurence Naismith): Scrooge’s former employer, who embodies the spirit of generosity and kindness that Scrooge has forgotten.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ebenezer Scrooge: “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” – Scrooge vows to change his ways after his experiences with the ghosts.
• Ghost of Christmas Present: “There is never enough time to do or say all the things that we would wish. The thing is to try to do as much as you can in the time that you have.” – The Ghost of Christmas Present explaining the importance of living in the moment.
• Jacob Marley’s Ghost: “Mankind was my business! Their common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business!” – Marley laments his wasted life, emphasizing the importance of helping others.
• Bob Cratchit: “A merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!” – Bob Cratchit’s traditional Christmas toast, highlighting the family’s humble but joyful spirit.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4,800,000
• Domestic Gross: $3,698,009
• Worldwide Gross: $4,800,000

💥 Scrooge Reviews

Personal Review

I grew up watching ‘Scrooge’ every Christmas. The songs were so catchy, and Albert Finney was amazing! He managed to be both awful and sympathetic as Scrooge. The hell scene terrified me as a kid! The moment when he wakes up changed his ways always gives me chills. For me, it’s not really Christmas until I’ve seen this one.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic musicals”
  • “Families looking for a heartwarming Christmas movie”
  • “Those who enjoy Charles Dickens adaptations”
  • “Viewers interested in stories of redemption and second chances”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some frightening scenes involving ghosts”
  • “Themes of poverty and death”
  • “Brief depiction of Hell”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While not the most faithful adaptation, ‘Scrooge’ offers a visually arresting and musically engaging take on Dickens’ classic, elevated by Albert Finney’s transformative performance.
• AllMovie: “Ronald Neame’s ‘Scrooge’ remains a vibrant and entertaining musical adaptation of Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol,’ with memorable songs and strong performances from Albert Finney and Alec Guinness.
• Timeout: “This musical Scrooge is an enjoyable if slightly uneven, adaptation of the classic Dickens tale. With Finney’s stand out performance, its a solid festive choice for the whole family.

Audience Reactions

Albert Finney’s performance is legendary, capturing the essence of Scrooge perfectly.: Finney’s acting, the memorable songs, and the overall heartwarming message resonate with viewers.

The ‘Thank You Very Much’ number is a classic and an absolute joy to watch.: Many people love the music, calling it catchy, well-written and uplifting.

Overall Consensus: A beloved musical adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ with memorable songs and a standout performance by Albert Finney.

Awards

1. Golden Globe (Best Original Song)- 1971

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Albert Finney was only 34 years old when he played Scrooge, requiring extensive makeup to make him appear much older.”
• “The film reused many of the sets from ‘Oliver!’ (1968) that were still in storage at Shepperton Studios.”
• “Alec Guinness reportedly disliked his role as Jacob Marley and found the heavy chains and makeup uncomfortable to wear.”

🖥️ How to Watch Scrooge?

As a classic holiday film, ‘Scrooge’ (1970) is often available for rent or purchase on major digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check these services for current availability and pricing. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available from retailers like Amazon and major big box stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Scrooge, you might like these similar films:

• A Christmas Carol (1951): Considered by many to be the definitive non-musical adaptation, with a strong performance by Alastair Sim as Scrooge.
• Scrooged (1988): A modern, comedic take on the classic story, starring Bill Murray as a cynical television executive.
• Oliver! (1968): Another acclaimed British musical adaptation of a Charles Dickens novel, sharing similar production values and a Victorian setting.
• The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992): A family-friendly musical version with the Muppets, providing a lighter and more whimsical take on the story.

🛒 Scrooge Related Products

• A Christmas Carol: The Graphic Novel: Experience Charles Dickens’ classic tale in a vibrant and engaging graphic novel format. Perfect for all ages.
• Victorian London Scene Setters – Christmas Carol Theme Party Decorations: High-quality backdrop decorations to set the stage for a Christmas Carol theme party or event.
• Scrooge McDuck Disney Afternoon Funko POP!: Add some classic Disney charm to your collection! Scrooge McDuck figurine based on the famous character inspired by ‘A Christmas Carol’.
• Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol – The Complete Novel: The original and timeless classic. Immerse yourself in the original novel for the ultimate experience.

🎧 Soundtrack

Scrooge features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Overture” – performed by Leslie Bricusse
• “Christmas Children” – performed by Leslie Bricusse
• “I Hate People” – performed by Albert Finney
• “Father Christmas” – performed by Children’s Choir
• “See The Phantoms” – performed by Alec Guinness
• “The Milk of Human Kindness” – performed by Kenneth More
• “I Like Life” – performed by Kenneth More
• “Happiness” – performed by Suzanne Neve
• “Thank You Very Much” – performed by Anton Rodgers and Chorus
• “You” – performed by Albert Finney
• “December The 25th” – performed by Richard Beaumont

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Modern Classics Summarized: A Christmas Carol

Need a quick and hilarious recap of ‘A Christmas Carol’? Overly Sarcastic Productions delivers a spot-on summary with their signature wit – trust me, you’ll laugh while learning!

Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’: Top Set Analysis

Want to dive deep into the meaning of ‘A Christmas Carol’? Mr. Bruff breaks down the story’s key elements in a way that’s both informative and thought-provoking – it’s like having a literary expert in your corner.

Epic Rap Battles of History – Behind the Scenes – Donald Trump vs Ebeneezer Scrooge

Ever wondered how they create those Epic Rap Battles? This behind-the-scenes look at the Trump vs. Scrooge battle is super cool – prepare to be amazed by the production!

The 3 Ghosts: Character Analysis – ‘A Christmas Carol’ (animated)

Want to know more about the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come? Mr Bruff delivers an educational breakdown of the three ghosts, who each have a profound impact on the story.

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