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Scrooge

(1970, Rated G, Musical, Starring Albert Finney, Alec Guinness, David Collings)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    This musical Scrooge is great for kids.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 6 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    This is a powerfully moralistic tale demonstrating not only how greed can overshadow love, but how even a seemingly hopeless man can turn his life around.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    The appearance of the ghost of Jacob Marley and some moderately grotesque flying spirits. Scrooge falls into his own grave and lands in hell.
  • 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 Scrooge

Parents need to know that this is a lighter version of Dickens' classic, so it is good family fare, but mediocre songs bog the story down. The long-winded ending takes a bizarre detour from Dickens's classic source material. Six-, 7- and 8-year-olds will enjoy the songs and the lively story, but the youngest may not go for the ghost angle, which may frighten them. Older kids can use an occasional reminder of what Christmas is really about. A meatier version might be in order for teens and adults.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how one man's miserliness contributes to others' poverty and misery and how family members' greediness or generosity affects others. Why did Scrooge eventually change? What rewards did he receive?

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