Carl Davis - A Christmas Carol / Jeremy Kerridge, William Walker, Lorena Vidal, Royce Neagle, Steven Wheeler, John Pryce-Jones, Northern Ballet Theatre

This version combines ballet dancing, stage and video effects, costuming, acting (pantomiming) and singing, to produce a spectacular Christmas movie.Unfortunately, I didn't recognize any of the carols in it. However, my room-mate recognized "The Boar's Head Carol," which I since discovered has been popular in Great Britain since the sixteenth century. During this song, dancers carry around a charger with a large boar's head on it.Besides the unusual songs (to my uneducated ear), another thing that struck me as unique about this version of "A Christmas Carol," is that it's the only one I can think of which included simulated sex scenes by "prostitutes" in the pawn shop scene introduced by the Gost of Christmas Yet-to-Come! Not to worry! This scene isn't too graphic for minors, although I would suggest parental guidance.Everything about this production is spectacular! For me, the only thing missing is dialogue, which you can interject, if you're familiar with the novel, anyway.This version compares favorably to the version starring Kelsey Grammar and Jennifer Love Hewitt - the main difference being that Kelsey's version includes speaking parts. I regard this version as the most spectacular I've ever scene!

This is a unique version of The Christmas Carol! Not a version for "movie night" but if you truly appreciate the Ebenezer Scrooge of Christmas and are a collector, you will love having this dvd. The costumes are great and its interesting to see how they adapted it to a stage setting with "opera" music and no lines to speak.

There are many great classical stories and fairy tales that are aching to be choreographed and this one need wait no longer. Just in time for the holidays we have this ballet version of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". It sticks to the well known story with no unusual surprises. It features beautiful costumes, sets, and music with plenty of interesting dancing of a modern ballet flavor. If you want to see a brand new story ballet about Christmas (of course, the story is actually about epiphany and redemption and not about religion) give this a try!

A Christmas Carol ballet, with music by Carl Davis is simply a must own. The music, the dancing, the costumes all contribute to 86 minutes of pure joy. I had tears at the end. I am surprised that this ballet has not been performed more often, it certainly deserves to become part of the ballet repertoire, alongside The Nutcracker. I am greatful that this DVD exists. My list wish would include a Blu-ray version along with a complete recording of the score on CD. Highly recommended!!!

was a great buy, and glad to get it in the US. Didn't think we would be able to.

We collect Christmas Carol movies to show all through December at home so this was a nice change. It is a little different but we enjoy ballet so it was fun to see. Not one of my favorites but worth watching and owning.

Lovely

Awesome ballet!

I have always enjoyed this on a once-a-year basis and as fairly light entertainment. A ballet equivalent of a stage musical say.On this basis I played this recording to my class of 8-9 year olds as the Christmas DVD treat for years while other classes watched the latest DVD blockbuster. My class regularly watched transfixed (yes - even the football obsessed boys) and emerged at playtime happy while other classes clearly became bored and restless. Why? Well it had the advantage of being a truly different experience, the story was very familiar, there were no tutus, the dancing was energetic and modern. In short, it was fresh and had entertainment value.Don't expect music of the calibre of Stravinsky or a masterpiece such as Swan Lake, just to mention two irrelevant comparisons, but do expect a good entertainment.The format is 4.3 and the sound is in good stereo only so it could benefit from a re-make - perhaps coupled with a re-make of the Simple Man ballet. Now there would be an attractive proposition!In the meantime this is a unique presentation and is uniquely entertaining!

A narrative ballet that is well choreographed around this story. This is what Northern Ballet does best. The rich and gorgeous music is composed by Carl Davis including the stylish arrangement of some Christmas carols. The excellent ballet that displays excellent musicality is matched by very good acting skills shown by all the company, a trademark for Northern Ballet. All together, this makes for a very entertaining ballet for all ages that is well produced. It is a pity that more productions by this company are not put onto disc since over the years they have put on many narrative ballets that have been well received both by critics and the public.

Almost five stars, really, but I took half a star off for camerawork that did not always show the steps, but concentrated on the upper body. However, it was very well danced and acted, and Scrooge himself was excellent, and his make up and wig enhanced his character. Some wonderful choreography, too. Another viewer commented on the poor lighting, but that was just what it was like both indoors and outside during Winter.

This is a DVD of a lovely ballet. I was very pleased to be able to buy it as I once saw the Northern Ballet company dancing this ballet in Blackpool and enjoyed it very much. The DVD is exactly as I remembered it. Excellent value. Many thanks.

I have been a great fan of the Northenr Ballet Co for many years having seen many of their performances. This is up to their usual high standard. I only wish they had more DVD's of their ballets especially Midsummer Night's Dream