Scrooge and Marley (2001 TV Movie) User Reviews

Awful

[NGant · 20 March 2009]

Each passing Christmas season drops another passel of Dickens knockoffs on the rubbish heap, and "Scrooge and Marley" makes that heap one higher. Dean Jones, the once harmless actor of Disney yore, is cast as Scrooge, a character which has been reduced to an empty vessel from which atheist-materialist platitudes may be served. The entire production has an infomercial feel to it, and is nothing more than a series of tedious debates intended to cement the belief system of D. James Kennedy followers. The late D. James Kennedy himself pops up over and over again, wherein he appears especially wooden and is just going through the motions.

If you're looking to kindle the Christmas spirit, steer clear of this dreck. May I recommend the 1951 Christmas Carol classic with Alastair Sim.

Wonderfully done

[bwatsonis · 10/10 · 5 December 2005]

In today's sickening atmosphere of "political correctness", I found this movie refreshing, entertaining and informative. In this retelling of the Charles Dickens classic, Dr. Kennedy is an articulative spokesman for the Christian faith, and Dean Jones shines in the role of Scrooge. The supporting cast, made up of many fine actors and actresses, lend much to this production. From humor to pathos, this film evokes a wide range of emotions . I heartily recommend this movie for the entire family. In an era where Christianity and Christmas are under fire, this film will challenge your thinking about the role of Christianity and what our world would have been like if Jesus had never been born.

Well-done & much needed

[davilbr · 10/10 · 25 April 2006]

This was a very well-done movie and certainly much needed for our time. Dean Jones was first rate as the Christmas-hating old miser, who wants to eliminate all references and symbols of the true meaning of Christmas. The story of Scrooge is one I've loved since I was a boy and as a born-again Christian myself (not seething), this adaptation takes on special significance.

It's certainly difficult today to counter political correctness in the entertainment industry since even using the word "Christmas" can land you in trouble. The vehemently anti-Christian comments of the first reviewer are a good example of how our culture has deteriorated to the point where the true meaning of Christmas is ridiculed and the followers of Christ are maligned.

what a different twist

[dtucker86 · 16 March 2002]

I used to really like Dean Jones when he made all those neat Dinsey films. I think its wonderful how he devoted his life to God and it was wonderful seeing him again in this film. Its sad at how much he has aged though. This is the kind of film you only want to see once (its only an hour), yet its certainly original in the way it retells A Christmas Carol. I like the message that there is a God and Jesus and that Christmas is really about celebrating his birth. People talk about separating church and state, but I always felt that the reason we are in the shape were in is that so many just don't believe in God anymore.