Customer Reviews

Ebenezer [VHS]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Okay, so the first thing I said while watching this film was "So it's not Academy Award material". No matter. I've seen many versions of Dicken's Christmas Carol. This one was novel and original, and that's saying something.
. . . So for acting (especially on the part of the extras and bit parts) and the casting (of the female bit parts, stock hollywood filler types as opposed to real people) this film gets low marks. But for novelty and innovation this film garners the extra star. The Christmas Future sequence was especially creative. Ebeneezer didn't look at his own gravestone at some indeterminate time in the future -- He saw (and tried vainly to prevent) himself in a gunfight that would be happening the next day... And even that did not turn out in an obvious manner.
. . . Palance does an excellent job as Ebeneezer, and it's good to see Rick Schroeder show up again after so many years. He's not Ford or Pheonix or Murray, but he's alright.

This movie is probably one of my favorite movies ever for Christmas. No, it probably doesn't have the best story line or even the best production. But as a huge fan of westerns and a huge fan of A Christmas Carol, I thought the middle ground where these two met was great. I would recommend this movie to anyone, although hard to get your hands on(I searched for 2 years trying to get the DVD),it is worth the effort to find it. It's wonderful to have it in my collection now. The ending is quite magical and the overall theme is good things can change bad people.

I know I am a sucker for pert near anything western. But I did enjoy Jack Palance as Ebeneezer in this remake of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol". Definitly has an old west touch to it.

The best take on Ebeneezer Scrooge so far. The story line is amusing and if the scene at the end where the kids are putting on a play and Jack Palance (Scrooge) joins in the singing, doesn't tug at your heartstrings, then you didn't really watch the movie.

I saw first saw this movie on TV (don't remember date) and ordered it in VHS immediately after show. I have been trying to obtain on DVD format and finally it is here. I really like Jack Palance and have seen him in many Christmas movies in his later years. I probably have all of them. I watch Christmas movies year round and would recommend to those who just love Christmas Carol related movies and Christmas itself!! Still waiting for the Marlo Thomas version "It Happened One Christmas" to come out....I loved that one too!!

First of all in honor of Mr. Jack Palance, I would like to take the time to say how I appreciated his work since I first saw him in the movie "Shane" many years ago. Mr. Palance having passed away this very month, November 10, 2006 is a great loss to the industry and his fans. He is missed. My condolences to his family and friends.
Now, on to the movie. Although some aspects of the Dickens story are definately presented, they are used as a base for the film and not its entire plot. Set in the old west we find Ebenezer, a bitter old money grubbing cheat, owning a saloon and cheating others, namely Rick Schroder. Cheating him out of his money, homestead, and ultimately even his horse, Samuel Benson (Schroder, tries to convince others that he had been cheated. That night the three spirits appear as in the classic version, showing Scrooge his past, the present, and his possible future along with that of Tim Cratchitt.
Of course Ebenezer has a huge change of heart and the scene of him trying to join in to the festivities via a play where is is attempting to portray father christmas is most touching. As Ebenezer becomes flustered and a look of regret crosses his face Tim comes to his side and begins to sing with him. It is a very moving moment.
Amy Locane did and excellent job in her role as Erica Marlowe, the love interest of Samuel (Schroder). Her smile alone is enough to light the scenes.
I won't give away any more of the film for those who haven't seen it but in my opinion it is wonderfully entertaining and progresses the message within Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" beautifully.
This movie is now alongside my other Christmas classics. It is watched each and every year multiple times.

Quotes from the movie:
Scrooge says to Ghost of Christmas Future, "I've already met the other two nuts."
As Scrooge walks down the walkway he meets carolers singing Away in A Manger, "I'll send you away to a manger!"
Ghost of Christmas Past asks if he kept his promise of returning the money Mr. Fezziwig, Scrooge says, "Ya know, I don't like you. I don't like you at all. And another thing" Ghost "Blah blah blah".

I love this movie. I don't like westerns, but I saw this on t.v. years ago and kept an eye out for it. When I did't find it in stores I went to the Amazon website. It is a good movie.

I have been looking for this movie for a long time. A must see.

I love this western version of "A Christmas Carol"! Jacob Marlow is my favorite character.

I have watched this movie yearly for many years...my VHS was about to give out when the DVD came out. I watched it in DVD this year. I really enjoy this movie. Most highly recommended.