Various versions of A Christmas Carol.... - Page 2

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Matthew, thanks for this link. Very cool. I wonder how many of these I've seen-- definitely not 40!

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I have ordered through i-offer a couple of DVD copies of the animated Sim version. Should have them this week. Looking forward to watching it.

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Wow! Is this a legitimate DVD copy? I have it on VHS, but was unaware of a DVD release...

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Nope but we're not supposed to discuss that here.

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In trying to keep with the original post , I believe the Scott version also has more/different exchanges between Scrooge and the spirits, especially with the Spirit of Christmas Present.

Growing up, I loved the Alastair Sim version, but the Scott version is now the only one I'll watch. Back in junior high, I ran lights for the musical version ("Scrooge"), and became quite sick of all the songs. To this day, "Thank You Very Much" makes me want to throw things at people's heads.

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Talk about Scrooge...

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since everyone else gave their preference, so will I. I actually prefer the Patrick Stewart version. To me, his version of Scrooge is a little more believable for some reason. His line at the beginning, "I wish to be left alone" really is delivered well....I do LOVE the George C. Scott version, but he comes off slightly more as a "grumpy old man" a couple of times, where as with Stewart's protrayal, I dunno . . . I can see "why" he became who he was, as opposed to "he's just that way".

I'm not knocking the George C. Scott version because I think it has many superior points...and Scott's protrayal within the Cratchet house with the ghost of Christmas present always gets to me....They're both equally great for different reasons, and they both pretty much have the same scenes. I watched them both this week and had forgotten how similar they are scene wise.

I've actually never read the book so I have nothing to compare it to really . . . Although I do like the extended scenes with Fred in the Stewart version. I don't recall ever seeing that in any other versions, but I enjoy them. But as much as I love Stewart's version, George C. Scott yelling "Cratchet", is iconic.... And I don't think can be topped.

I noticed in the Scott version the ghost of Christmas present carries a torch (I think) while in the Stewart version he carries/sprinkles holy water. Which is it in the book, out of curiousity?

Oh and what about Mickey's Christmas Carol? family channel showed a severely edited version this past weekend which ticked me off because I hadn't seen it in years. I can't even remember what was removed, but I remember distinctly some lines by Marley/Goofy that were not aired.

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Just watched Stewart's last night and agree he has some WONDERFUL moments. Same with Cratchit, at the end where he thinks Scrooge has gone totally mad back in the office and he raises the fireplace tool, (poker, shovel?) to defend himself yet still looks subservient to his employer, class-wise, not making eye contact. Wonderful. Also the Cratchits TRULY look destitute with horrible teeth and bags under their eyes. In some versions, Bob is portly and his wife is a babe with an almost upper class accent.
The one thing that really ruins it for me is the decision to make what should be the most frightening ghost into basically an oversized jawa with ridiculous glowing eyes. Totally spoils it IMHO. The George C. Scott ghost of the future is amazing and truly eerie.

Anyways, it is alot of fun to contrast and compare all the versions.

Merry Xmas!

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There is a scene in one Next Generation episode where Picard is critiquing Data's performance as Scrooge on the holodeck. Coincidence?

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Charles, I believe Christmas Present carries a Horn of Plenty, and he sprinkles "the contents" on the people he passes by.

After reading through many of the reviews of the 40 versions on the website referred to above, I have to mention Muppett's version again. First, Michael Caine has a great performance for a similar reason why some have praised Sim's, Scott's and Stewart's-- instead of the over the top characature, he is just practical and almost low key in his meanness. He smiles at you while he's ripping your heart out. Another thing that I love is Gonzo as the narrator/ Dickens. You get to hear some of the great words that Dickens wrote, especially the incredible descriptions of Scrooge from Stave 1. You can't turn these words into dialog without losing the effect. Here, he says them word for word while you see it happening on screen. As bizarre as it is, Muppett's is a very legit version.

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There's an episode of The Real Ghostbusters where the Ghostbusters are unknowingly sent back in time and trap the ghosts visiting Scrooge, changing history."The Real Ghost Busters" X-Mas Marks the Spot (1986)

I also saw a Flintstones version once that involved the characters putting on a play of "A Christmas Carol". I think they just ignored the fact that "A Christmas Carol" hadn't been written yet and that Jesus had not yet been born (i.e., Christmas didn't even exist). A Flintstones Christmas Carol


This is on DVD now:  Walt Disney Treasures: Wave Three#Mickey Mouse In Living Color.2C Volume 2

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There is a school of thought that believes that the Flintstones are actually living in a post-apocalyptic world though.

Anyone remember the Gumby episode where Scrooge escapes from his book, and sets about to sabotage the Holiday?

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Does anyone else share my opinion that it is ironic (or should that be moronic?) that the most commonly portrayed image of Scrooge (outside of a production of A Christmas Carol) is that of a miserly, mean-spirited, skinflint? Why not use the transformed Scrooge? After all, isn't that why we watch or read the story, to see that wonderful transformation?

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Thanks! You're right, that's what that was in the Scott version. Next time I'll watch it when I'm more awake!

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Thanks for the link

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I agree. It's the only version where I usually find myself teary-eyed at the scene where the Cratchit family is discussing Tim's death in the Christmas-Yet-To-Come sequence. Something about Miss Piggy, er...Mrs. Cratchit, crying at the stove, then trying to cover by telling the children her eyes are tired because of the weak lamplight. I'm amazed by the emotions the Muppet performers are able to convey given that the puppets have largely static faces.

A couple of great comedy moments I also like are when Gonzo is just staring at Rizzo in disbelief after the rat has done something dumb, and Rizzo just leans in and kisses him on the nose. Also, Miss Piggy getting ready to give Scrooge a piece of her mind when he shows up at the end:

Scrooge (to Bob): That's why...I'm going to raise your salary!
Mrs. Cratchit: Well, I'm going to raise you off the pavement...wait, what?!?

I've always wished Miss Piggy got to karate chop Scrooge at least once.

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Yes, that is the point of the story, but let's be honest, grumpy miserly Screooge is a much more interesting character than running, jumping, joyful Scrooge (who would be rather tiring to be around). Plus, he only really changes in the last part of the book, so it's natural that when people think of Scrooge they think of the person he was through the most of the book, not the last 20 pages.

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Watched Magoo the other nite with my mom and my daughter, (her first time...)

"Winter was warm..."

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I remember this one....and I consider that one my favourite above all others. Perhaps it's because it's one of those films that I grew up on while watching it year after year as a kid. I have a fondness for it along with the Alistair Sim version.....would love to have a DVD of this one.

I also love Scrooged.....does that count?

Never did watch the George C. Scott version.....I'll have to make time for this one next Christmas....

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I can't believe nobody's mentioned the 1938 Reginald Owen version. I just saw it for the first time this past season and I enjoyed it. I did not enjoy the dull 1951 Sim version a couple of years ago, though.

So many are praising the Scott version that I'll watch it next Christmas.

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I've always considered "The Muppet Christmas Carol" and the Patrick Stewart version to be significantly above the others.

The Muppet Christmas Carol, however, may be the one that I find the most universal. People can mock it because it's puppets, but in many of the early shows of this, it was taken to the people in marionettes. While it was read to the people from 1852 on, many of the early plays of it were done with little dolls on strings to show the performance, after all there wasn't a great way to stage this everywhere.

The Muppet Version does something most of the others miserably fail to do, it gets the emotional punch of the Cratchits dead right.

The Patrick Stewart version is the best portrayal of "Scrooge" of any, and deserves a lot of credit for his work in it.

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Agree with The Muppet Christmas Carol as being the most universal - I remember seeing it as a kid and still never tire of it.

Yet another version is coming out this winter, with Jim Carrey playing all 3 ghosts and Scrooge at different ages. Saw the images at Cannes and thought it looked kinda cool...I think I remember Zemeckis saying he interpreted the story as a story about time travel, which is an interesting new take on it.