Customer Reviews

Christmas Carol [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This animated "A Christmas Carol" is a gem from '69, and used to be shown every year until about the late '70s. Currently, Rhino is distributing it on VHS as well (see the 1969 version from the list and my review of it), but this is the same film from another source - GET IT! Forty-five minutes in length, it is nicely drawn, told and fairly faithfully gives us the Dickens novella while losing little of the Victorian charm that graces the best film adaptions.

While not as carefully crafted as the shorter cartoon from Richard Williams'/ Chuck Jones' version two years later, it is a great film to share with children.

Merry Christmas!

This classic has been released on DVD since 2005. TGG Direct is currently distributing it right here on Amazon. Go to Movies & TV and enter "Christmas Cartoon Collector's Edition Vol. 2" and you should find it. Grab it while you can.

Like the others who left reviews for this title, I too remember watching this on our local CBS affiliate (WCBS in New York) virtually every year during the 1970s. It would usually air, if memory serves, in the late afternoon, one or two Saturdays prior to Christmas. I always found it very atmospheric and affecting, so much so that, lo these many years later, I've looked around a good deal in an (heretofore always unsuccessful) effort to find it.

My search came to an end late last night. While skimming our local cable operator's "On Demand" offerings -- something I have really never done before -- I came across listings for "A Christmas Carol" and "A Christmas Carol (1984)." The latter I recognized as the George C. Scott telemovie version, and I assumed that the former was the Alistair Sim movie from the early 50s. However, as I continued to sift I noticed an animated version of, first, "Swiss Family Robinson", and then "Tales of Washington Irving." When I looked at the single preview still shot that accompanied each title something clicked in my brain. I could see that they were animated and, indeed, the animation looked vaguely familiar to me. It then occurred to me that perhaps the "Christmas Carol" I saw listed was also animated and maybe, just maybe it was THE one. So I went back, pulled it up and as soon as I saw the preview still I knew the search was over. I recognized this Scrooge immediately! It was the most pleasant surprise I've had in a long, long time. Needless to say I "rented" it for 24 hours (for $2.95) and have since copied it to my Tivo. From there it will be put on DVD. Such a pleasant surprise!

So, for those of you who, like me, long to step back in time and see this mini-classic once again, there is hope. If you have cable, and they have "On Demand" offerings, check them. You just may find it there. My company is Cablevision. I would imagine that anyone with Cablevision "On Demand" should be able to find it. Even if you don't have Cablevision, your company may still be offering it, so take a look.

Anyway, good luck to all of you and "God bless us, everyone."

I remember watching this classic every year as a kid throughout the 70's. It seemed as though it was broadcast on a different television station every time (very elusive,lol). Although this classic Dickens tale has been told and retold over a thousand different ways, this version is one that stands above all others. Mainly because of animation itself, very creepy to say the least. I would have to say that the animators took great care in giving this gem alot of atmosphere especially where Bob Marley makes his entrance (has to be one of the scariest interpretations of the character I've ever seen) it will raise the hairs on the back of your neck for sure. Great animation, mood and story telling. A worth while purchase if you can find it!

of all the versions of A Christmas Carol that are out there, this one takes the cake on being the best. this one was produced in Australia, and it was shown throughout the 70's. it aired every Christmas on a Sunday on CBS.

the one major difference in this version is the look of Jacob Marley's ghost, this was the only one where the ghost resembled a skeleton, with hair that looked like flames, a rather scary looking one which is why its so memorable.

if you can get this one, grab it. its well worth it..

This was something I'd always see as a child growing up in the '70s around Christmas time on CBS on a Sunday afternoon. It usually aired the weekend after -or two weekends after - Thanksgiving. The best part about this animated feature from 1969 was the scary Marley's Ghost. His face was that of a skeleton's face and he had these wild flames or hair strands on the top of his oddly-shaped head that stood straight up in the air.

Unfortunately for me, and many others, this is no longer available on VHS and it was never released on DVD. It's January 2006. Hopefully by December 2006 a company will release this on DVD. It's certainly one of the many highly enjoyable renditions of Dickens' classic tale.

Anyone who grew up in the 1970's will remember this hour long animated special that aired at Christmas times. It featured character actor Ron Haddrick as Scrooge, who does a great job. All in all, it is an entirely likeable adaptation of the story, except for the one curious singing duet between Scrooge and his nephew. It might lead you to believe it was meant to be a musical except that no other songs are ever performed.

Anyway, this version of A Christmas Carol was the very first of a long line of animated specials created for TV by the Australian animation company Air Programs International(API).

API did the "Famous Classic Tales" specials that aired on CBS. And although they never obtained the kind of fame that the Rankin-Bass specials did, many of their specials, such as Robin Hood and Treasure Island are really great and are worth owning.

A Christmas Carol is probably the most recognizable of their cartoons since it aired for so many years. It's been issued on video several times, but has been out of print for some years now. Why no DVD version yet? My guess is either there is a legal dispute over the copyright or no decent print survives that is in good enough condition to make a digital transfer. In any event, its worth picking up a used VHS copy of the show when you can find them.