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A Christmas Carol: The Musical
Product Group: DVD
Studio: Lions Gate
ISBN: B000ARTMWK
UPC: 707729182603
Binding/Media: DVD
Running Time: 97 minutes
Release Date: 2005-10-18
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
SKU: AZN-LGE018260
Condition: New
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Editorial Reviews
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Description
Kelsey Grammer ("Frasier") brings Ebenezer Scrooge to life in this musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale. During a Christmas Eve dream that evolves into nightmarish proportions, embittered and miserly Scrooge is visited by three Christmas ghosts: Past Present and Future, who show him the life he has lived and the future consequences of that life.
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Amazon.com
A musical setting for Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is a natural, and this holiday TV-movie (based on the Broadway version) generously crams music into its quick spin through the venerable story. Kelsey Grammer uses his musical pipes (and some of his "master thespian" style of acting) as Ebenezer Scrooge, the man whose miserliness needs no introduction here. There's some experienced musical-comedy talent in the cast, from small roles to large, with expert stuff from Jesse L. Martin (who was in Rent, the Broadway musical, before he joined the Law & Order team) as the ghost of Christmas Present and Jane Krakowski as the ghost of Christmas Past. Jason Alexander, another TV person with a background in stage musicals, does deftly as the chain-rattling Jacob Marley's ghost (and his number is one of the most tuneful of the mixed bag of songs). Alan Menken, the veteran tunesmith of Beauty and the Beast fame, contributes the music, with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime); the bigger numbers are spirited but a little rote. (The Styne-Merrill songs from a wackier version of the story, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, are a more memorable bunch.) This version moves so quickly across the main points of the story that Scrooge's redemption feels a tad rushed, but maybe the songs are supposed to be the point. Still, the razzle-berry dressing is missed. --Robert Horton
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Customer Reviews
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An interesting version of the famous A Christmas Carol
Rating  (4)
Date: 2010-07-20
I like the muppet version better. Stunning stage and costumes. Amiable actors but some are not as accomplished as the others. Follows the original with some artistic license. Some of the music is enjoyable but the same musical theme runs through the whole show and gets sort of boring. I would recomend this to "A Christmas Carol" enthusiasts for the diferent slant it introduces. Bon apetit.
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Good opera
Rating (4)
Date: 2010-02-06
1 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
The title says, "The Musical"; but it's not just a musical, it's opera. Besides the songs, much of the dialogue is sung.
There are many changes from the book to suit the opera format. These changes are fine, and the songs are great. Kelsey Grammer is a bit more over-the-top than most Scrooges; annoying, in fact, having a couple of minor physical infirmities (squinty eyes and a stooped posture) that disappear along with his bad attitude.
If you don't like opera, this version is not for you. But if you do, it probably has the best musical numbers (some of them danced) of all the musical versions: better than the Albert Finney, Frederic March, and Muppet versions, right up there with Mr. Magoo.
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A Christmas Carol: The Musical
Rating (4)
Date: 2010-02-01
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
I enjoy all vertions of the Christmas Carol, this is a great vertion and fun to watch.
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A great updated version
Rating  (5)
Date: 2010-01-21
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
It's a great new version of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. The performances are very entertaining, keeping to the original story is very refreshing. Some one else said it grows on you ,,well it must I had mixed feelings the first time I saw it. But I must admit I've watched it about five times during the Christmas holidays...
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Great Musical!
Rating (5)
Date: 2010-01-08
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
The music truly is great... this will be my favorite version of the "Christmas Carol" for years to come!
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