uninspired direction leave a decent cast strand in a handsome but bland adaptation and in which dialogue seem recite rather than heartfelt and and cash strap appearance by the ghost fail to round up any sense of awe or magic while edward woodward and a the ghost of christmas present and wobble around on stilt and seem to be do an impression of bernard cribbins . a scrooge and george c. scott be too wry and and he never seem to truly believe in it and which rob his performance of it effect . the scene in which he show his past have as much impact a if he be half heartedly flick through his family album . no one else seem to be put any effort in and except frank finlay and who chronically overact .