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rather than words. A good actor can pull this off brilliantly. There are many such examples in this film: Scrooge's look of confusion when he sees Marley. Young Ebenezer's look of sadness and regret when he knows he'll never please his father. And so much more.

The film itself: The entire film is VERY faithful to the original story. It was filmed on location in Shrewsbury, England, giving it an authenticity not found in other adaptations. The costumes are perfect. The attention to detail is meticulous. Nothing looks like a "set," All the places - the homes, the markets, the offices, look real. The scenes of commerce at the exchange, the frenzied shopping at the market on Christmas morning, the bustling city - it looks and sounds very real.

The foggy, dreary London described in the Dickens story is very well created here. The streets where Scrooge walks to his home are dark and creepy.

The majority of the special effects are conveyed by traditional stage effects with smoke, and lighting. It's all very effective.

The scene at the when the horses and Marley's funeral carriage pass by - we see it but Scrooge doesn't - creepy.

Marley's makeup, lighting and clothing - all a deathly blue - is well done.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come first appears as spotlight shines on him in the distance, and it is conveyed mostly through shadows of hands and hoods. It's all very well done.

The transitions from one scene to the next during the time-travels are unique to each ghost - the cap the Ghost of Christmas Past holds in her hand reflects each scene as we transition from one time to the next. The Ghost of Christmas Present's torch bridges one sequence to the next scene, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come transitions each scene with a loud crash and brilliant flash of lightning.

And in each of Scrooge's visions of the future, after he witnesses the scene the lights dim and only a spotlight effect remains on him - almost like standing alone on a stage. It's a very effective presentation.

Liberties with the story (all good): As Scrooge takes his cold gruel by the unlit fireplace, he sniffles, a reminder that (in the story) Scrooge had a head cold.

I love it when Scrooge adds his own "Amen" to the Cratchit's Christmas prayer.

We see several scenes of Scrooge conducting his commodity trading business at the exchange. Scrooge is clearly recognized as a man of business and is deferred to as such, but a hard businessman with no compassion or room for negotiation.

The Ghost of Christmas

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