A Christmas Carol 1999, starring Patrick Stewart, is a perfect adaptation of the Dickens’ classic, writes CHRISTINE MILLER
TITLE: A Christmas Carol
RELEASED: 1999
DIRECTOR: David Jones
CAST: Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Joel Grey, Ian McNeice, Saskia Reeves, Desmond Barrit, Bernard Lloyd, Dominic West, Ben Tippet
Review of A Christmas Carol 1999
A Christmas Carol is a timeless classic in literature that beautifully captures the spirit of the holiday season with its poignant message of redemption and compassion. Countless adaptations have brought Charles Dickens‘ much-loved tale to life on screen via the big screen.
However, this review centres around the 1999 made-for-TV film starring Patrick Stewart as Ebenezer Scrooge.
Directed by David Jones, A Christmas Carol 1999 stands out for its compelling performances, faithful adherence to the source material and Stewart’s portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge is nothing short of brilliant.Â
But, what else could we expect of an actor renowned for his versatility and commanding presence: Stewart brings a nuanced performance that goes beyond the stereotypical depiction of the miserly old man.
From the outset, Stewart beautifully captures the essence of Scrooge’s curmudgeonly demeanour, making his ultimate transformation at the end of the film all the more powerful. His ability to convey the character’s inner turmoil, bitter regrets, and eventual redemption (hurrah!) is a testament to Stewart’s skill as an actor.
The film stays remarkably faithful to Dickens’ original narrative, capturing the Victorian setting with a rather impressive attention to detail. The set designs and cinematography contribute to a visually stunning portrayal of 19th-century London, helping to catapult the audience into Dickens’ vision.
The film successfully maintains the atmospheric charm of the novella while infusing it with a cinematic quality that enhances the overall viewing experience.
One notable aspect of this adaptation is its commitment to Dickens’ language. The script preserves much of the author’s dialogue, allowing the timeless prose to resonate with the audience. Stewart, with his command over language, delivers Dickens’ words with conviction and emotion, breathing life into the iconic characters..
The supporting cast is also noteworthy, with strong performances from a very talented ensemble. Bob Cratchit, portrayed by Richard E. Grant, and Tiny Tim, played by Ben Tibber, tug at the heartstrings with their genuine and touching performances.
But, for me, at least, it’s the chemistry among the cast members that contributes the most to the film’s emotional depth, making the relationships between characters authentic, and, perhaps even relatable.
The film’s pacing is well-balanced, allowing for the gradual development of Scrooge’s transformation. The ghostly visits – a crucial element of the narrative and my personal favourite parts of the film – are executed with a blend of spooky, eerie atmosphere and spectral wonderment.
The Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come are portrayed with visual flair, and their interactions with Scrooge provide a compelling exploration of his past, present, and potential future.
The musical score, composed by Stephen Warbeck, interweaves with the film’s heartbeat and complements it suitably: it underscores key moments, heightens the drama and adds a rich, textual layer of emotional resonance to the story. Plus, the use of traditional Christmas carols and original compositions adds to the festive atmosphere.
For all its plus points, this Dickens’ version won’t please everyone. While this adaptation succeeds on many fronts, it may be critiqued for not offering much in the way of radical reinterpretation of the source material.
Some viewers might argue that the film adheres too closely to previous adaptations and, therefore, lacks a definite and distinct directorial vision from Jones.
For me, however, this is a bit of a redundant stance. Personally, the film’s strength lies in its ability to capture the timeless magic of Dickens’ tale, providing a faithful rendition that stays true to the, ahem, spirit of the original work.
The 1999 adaptation of A Christmas Carol truly is a compelling and heartwarming rendition of Dickens’ classic novella. While not as famous as Albert Finney‘s or even The Muppets’ portrayal, thanks to Stewart’s masterful portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge, the faithful adherence to the source material, and the strong supporting cast, the film is deserving of a bigger audience to appreciate its vision of Dickens and Victorian London and, of course, how could we forget, the essence of Christmas spirit and redemption.
What do you make of the 1999 retelling of A Christmas Carol, starring Patrick Stewart? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below?
Now you can go watch Patrick Stewart in The Canterville Ghost 1996
