Bah, Humbug! ('A Christmas Carol' at the movies)

[RRA]

Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL is one of those stories endlessly adapted to screens big and small (not including pseudo remakes with twists/gimmicks on the same basic plot), everybody knows the story and even beats/scenes alot like Jesus and Batman, but regardless it's a yearly ritualism at Christmas along with the Grinch, DIE HARD, and that wool sweater Grandma gave you that you must lie with a straight face how happy you are for it.

As for which version is best? I don't necessarily think that is the answer, as much as which film adaptation is the one you grew up and most familiar with whether it be Mickey Mouse or Alastair Sim or Muppets or Patrick Stewart or Albert Finney singing (why?) or whatever. I guess some kids a few years from now will include Jim Carrey too. (I would also include the meta-parodies of this story like Bill Murray's SCROOGED or Black Adder's special.)

From that approach, my pick would be George C. Scott's version, which indeed saw alot as a kid on TV. Not the first variation of that story, but the one that stuck with me the most. (Though Michael Caine/Muppets and Mickey Mouse both tried their best.)

I love that the movie, unlike almost every other version, doesn't cut or water down the activist politics of the source material. Dickens originally wrote it as political propaganda to shame the rich, the government, society and so forth to quit being so fucking apathetic about the unbelievably horrible living conditions for the poor, working class in that era in British history. I liked that scene the family living out in the cold, the father wanting work but can't get it so he has to steal. I can't decide if I'm impressed or depressed that the politics, if of course times and geography have changed, are still relevant today.

Second I liked the use of shadows, the attempt at atmosphere in the 3rd act, death overtly hanging over this possible future.

Third, Scott's quiet dignity. Even when Scrooge is being an asshole, he doesn't fall into temptation of hamming up how evil he is, but he's an asshole because of how self-aware upper class posh and respectable he delivers those lines. Certainly reminded me of Mitt Romney. When all those buried demons of years ago dig themselves out, Scott's restraint tells his inner turmoil and evolving mindset much more vividly and effective than simply monologuing it. I like to believe it makes this morality play of redemption, even in one so well read/seen as it is, more powerfully persuasive.

(Of course I do find it odd that Edward Woodward wasn't Ghost of Christmas Future instead of Present since he is the Equalizer after all. Nevermind that the MCP is Bob Cratchit and is married to Superman's Krypton Mom. They surprisingly make a really good couple, and again for scenes that people can sleepwalk in their heads, they make that family unit more organic and that whole power of family singularity message Dickens was pushing hard.)

I did notice one thing. When I Netflixed this movie, there wasn't a scene that I swear I remember seeing in this version as a kid on TV where Scrooge 'dies' (or goes to hell, whatever) and gets chained up as Marley prophecized. But it's not in this DVD. Either I imagined it, or it was one of those infamous deleted scenes they add to TV cuts to bump up the running time.

[Blasty]

Wow RRA! I, too would pick the George C. Scott version as the best. Followed by the Patrick Stewart version. I mean, my favorite to watch over and over is Mickey's Christmas Carol LOL but I don't really put that in the same conversation as the other adaptations of the story.

I basically love any version of this tale. Yes, even the Vanessa Williams and Susan Lucci versions.

[RRA]

Was the Williams one where she's a pop diva or something? I think I say 5 minutes of that once. I think. It's a nice contemporary take on the gimmick. (Did Diana Ross watch it?)

I would count Mickey because for a short film, it works. Scrooge McDuck is awesome.

[Voyeur]

Great choice RRA! I feel like I post my love for the Scott version every year...and it DESERVES it every year!

I appreciate and understand the love for Alastair Sim's famed performance as Scrooge. It's totally warranted. I get it. And Sim was always a fantastic and underrated actor overall.

But Scott is my favorite Scrooge (yes, even over my all time favorite actor Michael Caine). Scott delivers a much more subtle performance as the old miser. He's greedy, sure, but mainly bitter. He's one of those people who has to make everyone around him pay for his crappy life. He's also given Scrooge a real sadness. I love the moment when he overhears his younger self's conversation with Belle (during his visit to Christmas past). The young Scrooge promises her that he'll stop being so serious and "go through life with a smile" on his face. When Scott witnesses this conversation, he smiles ironically and looks downward. It's touches me because it shows a moment of self-recognition...and how much it hurts that he made the wrong choices. Oh, he's still a stubborn old man and will go on to try to defend his behavior. But we see clear hints throughout that this Ebenezer Scrooge is a human being. It also helps that he has a lot of interaction with the ghosts. In other versions, there's surprisingly little dialogue between Scrooge and, say, the Ghost of Christmas Present. But here, Scott gets to actually converse with the ghosts. And the screenplay is fantastic. Unlike, say, the Patrick Stewart version, the dialogue in this 1984 production fits right in with Dickens' Victorian era. Anyway, it is because of this humanity that makes George C. Scott's turn to good at the end all the more convincing. You really do believe he's a changed man, and not just because he saw his named engraved on a tombstone.

The Ghosts are the best of any version...ever!

Okay, so that's just my opinion. Admittedly, it's arguable who the best Ghost of Christmas Past is. But Frank Finlay's Jacob Marley is not only my favorite Marley, but his appearance with Scrooge is possibly my favorite moment of the whole film. Visually he looks amazing with his unblinking gaze...tethered with oversized chains and a stark blue makeup that truly creates a haunting presence. Finally, Finlay (an experienced Shakespearean actor) gives Marley a voice of great pain.

I don't think there's any doubt Edward Woodward is the best Ghost of Christmas Present of all time. All other version create a ghost that's very, shall I say, St. Nick-like. Giant and jolly with a full beard. But there's something slightly off about that take of the character when the same ghost occasionally chastises Scrooge and uses his own words against him. On the other hand, Woodward gives his character an almost scornful streak from the beginning. He's not necessarily mean to Scrooge, just a bit stern at times. Yet Woodward also adds touches of humor as well. It's truly a brilliant performance. I can't imagine anyone else who could have stolen moments away from Scott as Woodward does in this film. Honestly, both actors have great chemistry.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is definitely the creepiest of any version. Not just the tall actor who, allegedly, performs under the dark robe. But the use of shadows, silhouettes and sounds create a character that does what it's supposed to do...frighten children. LOL

The rest of the supporting cast is also terrific. The child playing Tiny Tim is undeniably adorable, and truly is tiny and sickly looking, unlike the surprisingly healthy looking teenager they hired in the Sim version (the image of Tim sitting atop his father's shoulders in the older version is downright comical). But I want to give special mention to David Warner's Bob Cratchit. For an actor who's made his living playing bastards and villains, Warner is perfectly warm and heartbreaking.

The film is well shot, with appropriately creepy, murky moments. The score is moody. There isn't a single scene that appears to be a studio set as it was filmed in Shrewsbury England a town that seems to have kept it's Victorian look. The buildings are real. The clothes look well worn. Scrooge's office looks like a real workplace, with shelves and loose papers and detail in all the nooks and crannies. I mention this because other version (ie: Patrick Stewart) seem to be opposite. The sets don't quite look authentic. The clothes look a little too new. The offices too neat, etc.

Even though this was made for TV in 1984, it was filmed like a movie. I have the blu-ray of this and the transitions are almost seamless (and some scene transitions absolutely brilliant) without an obvious moment of pause for a commercial break. The movie was actually filmed for British cinema, which explains the flow of the film. It was directed by Clive Donner, who actually edited the Sim version more than 30 years prior. It's nicely paced, devoting a comparable amount of time to Scrooge's past, present and future. By contrast, the Sim version spends WAY too much time focused on Scrooge's past. There's also little moments I love, like the homeless scene RRA mentioned. Right after that, Scrooge is abandoned by Woodward's ghost. He's alone in the cold, waiting for the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Like a businessman, he tries to "negotiate" the situation, falling to deaf ears. He finally sits down on a bench asking himself, "what have I done...to be abandoned like this."

Yeah, this movie is head and shoulders above all other versions of A Christmas Carol in my book. And I have just about all of them on video.

I would probably put Alastair Sim's version number 2 if only because of his amazingly fun performance. Though I do have some major issues with the film overall. Still, you can't help but be moved by the scene with Scrooge at his Nephew's home near the end.

The Muppet Christmas Carol would be next. Caine is excellent, it's well paced. I guess the only reason it's not number 2 is because most of the cast are muppets, oh and it's a musical. So it's tough for me to consider it a legit version of Dickens...yet its good enough to make it this high.

I actually admire the 1935 version with Seymour Hicks. It's quite short (at least the version I saw), but has a haunting quality I like. It's definitely missing some key scenes, but I was surprised at how impressed I was with the film.

It gets a little tougher. LOL

The Mr Magoo one is alright. A little overrated based on what I've read, but better than some.

I guess the next I would rank is the Albert Finney musical Scrooge. It's a handsome production, with some memorable songs. But, MAN, it feels like a long movie. Maybe it's because I remember one Christmas I was at my granddad's house and this movie was on. My sister and I got bored and went to play outside for what seemed like hours. We came back in and THIS MOVIE WAS STILL PLAYING! The other issue I have with the film is Finney. He's a great actor and there's something to admire with what he's doing here. But it's such a phony performance. He's not an old man. He's an actor playing an old man in a really obvious way. It's hard to watch because I keep wondering if it's actually painful for Finney to squish is face like that, contort his body like that and speak with that voice. It's weird is what I'm saying.

The MGM 1938 version with Reginald Owen is neither good, nor bad. It's just sorta...there.

I loathe the Patrick Stewart and Jim Carrey versions. For so many reasons I've gone over in the past. The real challenge is which version is worst. They both have gone to great lengths to take the title for Worst A Christmas Carol of All Time!

[RRA]

The Muppet Christmas Carol would be next. Caine is excellent, it's well paced. I guess the only reason it's not number 2 is because most of the cast are muppets, oh and it's a musical. So it's tough for me to consider it a legit version of Dickens...yet its good enough to make it this high.

It must be hard to "act" with the Muppets since we surprisingly forget but on set, you're actually working with puppeteers and having to get over being always concious of this fact when you're acting heart to heart with say Kermit, it makes Caine's work even more impressive IMO. Not to mention he does get to work a musical. I liked the movie when I saw it again years back, it actually (because it is the Muppets) has a sense of humor. I even like the joking about how dark and grim the story can be, and how maybe it's too much for the kiddie audience. A solid picture.

[Voyeur]

It must be hard to "act" with the Muppets since we surprisingly forget but on set, you're actually working with puppeteers and having to get over being always concious of this fact when you're acting heart to heart with say Kermit, it makes Caine's work even more impressive IMO. Not to mention he does get to work a musical. I liked the movie when I saw it again years back, it actually (because it is the Muppets) has a sense of humor. I even like the joking about how dark and grim the story can be, and how maybe it's too much for the kiddie audience. A solid picture.

Very true and all accounts.