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A Christmas Carol (1997)

(1997, Rated NR, Classic, Starring Tim Curry, Whoopi Goldberg, Ed Asner)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 5; suggested age 5.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    A painful spin on the classic.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 5 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Scrooge struggles against his rotten nature to better himself.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Scrooge sics his dog on people and raises a cane as if to strike crutch-ridden Tiny Tim.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About A Christmas Carol (1997)

Parents need to know that this is a poor version of the classic tale. The message -- that greed has its own price -- does come through, but barely. Don't be lured by the songs and the animation; there's much better material out there for young viewers. They may be compelled to watch it, but grade-school children will forget it soon after. These lackluster ghosts aren't likely to stir up any goosebumps.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how this version stacks up agains other versions of Dickens' classic. Why does Scrooge change in the end?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

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