Tier List | Ranking "A Christmas Carol" Adaptations
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- We rank a dozen or so "A Christmas Carol" film adaptations to see which re-telling of the Scrooge story comes out on top!
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#orthodoxchristianity #christian #christmas #achristmascarol #charlesdickens #dickens #literature #muppets #georgecscott #jimcarrey #scrooge #scroogemcduck #scrooged #billmurray #mickeymouse #alistairsim #tinytim #michaelcaine #patrickstewart
I’m so happy to meet fellow apologist for the George C Scott version. It’s easily my favorite version
Appreciate you folks going through this. This tends to be one of my traditions of trying to catch an adaption a year. Yes the George C. Scott by far is my favorite.
The "Musical" Scrooge is a stage play of a Christmas Carol so that's the 70's one you might want to catch some You Tube captures of the play. Itself to see how it has been redone.
Other version go earlier than 1950's I think 1934 is some of the earliest - and very daunting to watch. There is also Henry Winkler's "An American Christmas Carol" which one favorite though how they have aged varies.
Anyway thanks for taking time to tier list it and perhaps you'll start a tradition.
This is definitely the start of a new Christmas Carol tradition for us. Thanks for kind words!
I loved Muffet Christmas Carol! Its so faithful, all things considered.
Also, Patrick Stewart as Scrooge was great.
I never got to see most of the others. My family prefer movies like Home Alone. But I want to give them a try now.
There is no other version to even bother watching than the 1984 George C. Scott version.
2009 animated version is literally the best.
The thigs that made the 1984 version so superior (besides the great acting of course) is A) the attention to period detail. You FEEL the cold, the bleak, damp and darkness of the time period it is set in. It permeates through the screen in every single shot. B) The ghosts are really believable. the Marley ghost is downright frightening. The little nuance where he ties his jaw up with the length of fabric is so creepy.. but such a small detail. It was just a perfect example of the little things that this movie did to make it stand so far superior to all other versions of A Christmas Carol. C) All the actors cast here fit seamlessly into the time period and the British setting. There are no Disney- like attempts to promote "diversity" by sticking in actors who aren't true to the original vision of the book
I would have to give an ‘S’ to the versions with Albert Finney, Mr. Magoo, Mickey Mouse, The Muppets adaptation, the Bill Murray version, and the versions that feature Seymour Hicks, Alistair Sim, and Reginald Owen, together with the Rankin-Bass adaptation in which the voice of Ebenezer Scrooge is done by the late actor Walter Matthau.
The adaptations with Kelsey Grammer and Patrick Stewart are only worthy of being ‘F’.
“THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS” is at least an ‘A’ tops.
The 51 version with Sim is my fave ...but i will watch all versions and enjoy all of them
When it comes to Christmas Carol adaptations I would say my favorite it Scrooge (1970). I am also a big fan of the old school lavish Hollywood musicals.
I am torn between The Alistair Sim and The George C Scott version as those two are going to be vying for the top spot.
Scrooged could have been a better movie had it not been a comedy with Murray in the role playing his usual Bill Murray performance.
Nice list! I have been watching a bunch of adaptations in the past week and was thinking of making a tier list of my own, and that’s how I came across your video.
I have to say, I disagree entirely with the rating of the 2009 Jim Carrey one, but also I’m not someone who dislikes that weird animation style. Overall it sticks pretty close to the book, there is even the scene with the Ghost of Christmas Present where Scrooge comments on the bakeries being used by the poor on Sundays, and asks why the church would try to shut that down. The ghost explains that any evils committed by the clergy shouldn’t be attributed to God. Which is a scene I haven’t seen in any other adaptations I’ve watched so far. I also think the fact that it is animated allows for some pretty good visuals, specifically in the presentations of the ghosts. For me it really helps make the spooky aspects more intense, which I really appreciate.
However the scenes that were clearly added for the 3D effect were annoying, and made more annoying by the fact that they could have used that runtime to add more scenes that helped develop the characters, like the 1984 version did.
Hey, thanks for the thoughtful comment! I agree with you that the Carrey version had some nice things from the book that the others didn't have -- definitely a point in it's favor. I just can't get past the animation which I think hampered the performances. You raise some valid points though!
When I first saw "Scrooged", I for one was an underaged kid and I liked it, but it is more of a comedy (of Adult Humor) meant for people of 15 years and up; just because there are pre-teen kids in teen/adulterated movies does not mean its OK for under 12s, even if it sometimes means that movie was Not-Rated.
Scrooge Mcduck was actually invented in the 50s for the Disney Donald Duck comics. Great video!
Oh fun fact! Didn't know that! Cheers!☺
In all of the Christmas Carol rankings that I have seen on the Tube, I never see the 2000 adapation starring Ross Kemp. In this modern take, Scrooge is a loan shark. Now, maybe some may find it too extreme, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I hadn't even heard of that one. Thanks for the comment!
I have seen the Kelsey Grammer one Twice and the Musical number from the parts with the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Christmas Present was pretty long that it slowed down the pacing of the film, especially when it was on tv that it had so many ads that the movie felt longer than "The Sound of Music". but of course I only ever seen it on TV.
How about the 1935 adaptation with Seymour Hicks and the 1938 with Reginald Owen? Remember that they both had the role of Ebenezer Scrooge.
I've actually only seen the George C Scott one and the Bill Murray one. I really liked both but for me, I kind of have to see Scrooged as a parody to appreciate it.
The Belle Character from the Patrick Stuart film kind of reminds me of The Character from the Brian Henson film in some ways, guess it is because of the body type, hairstyle, and the bonnet part of the outfit, and also the way that the actress carries says her lines, aside from the fact that the actress from the Muppet film had a slightly higher voice range than the one from the Patrick Stuart film.
The George C. Scott version from 1984 is my favorite version. I like the Alistair Sim version from 1951 but I think it's too long and drawn out, especially the Christmas Past segment. I don't need to know Scrooge and Marley's backstory or about some guy named Jorkin (who isn't even mentioned in the novel) being accused of embezzlement. So why would they add that to the movie? I do like Michael Hordern's performance as Marley's ghost. And I liked the Scrooge redemption segment.
I also like the musical version with Albert Finney from 1970. but I think it strayed too much from the original novel, especially in the Christmas Future section, with the "Thank you very much" number and Scrooge going to hell. But again I liked the Scrooge redemption segment. And I liked Kenneth More's performance as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Next to Edward Woodward in the 1984 version, he was my favorite Ghost of Christmas Present.
I have a problem with any version that has Scrooge visiting the Cratchit home because that does not happen in the novel.
Please add and consider "The Stingiest Man in Town". A 1959 musical version starring Basil Rathbone; Vic Damone and many other great singers.
Thanks for the recommendation! Hadn't heard about that one!
How about it’s 1978 animated remake by Rankin-Bass with Walter Matthau as Ebenezer Scrooge?
Ahh nah, the music from 1970 Scrooge and Albert Finey's performance, both the comedic parts and the emotionally heartbreaking, make that my favorite of the 8 Christmas carols I've seen. I wanted the other guy to jump in and give it justice but he didn't watch the movie 😂 oh well.
George C. Scott was great, the ghost of the future is the most memorable part for me.
What about Spirited (2022)?
We talk about it a little at the end.
I have always wondered if there's any connection between Charles Dickens' "Christmas Carol" and Engels' "The Condition of the Working Class in England", both written around the same time. It could be argued that Dickens' original text had a bit of critique of capitalism in it.
I could see Dickens sympathizing with some of Engels' points but somehow I doubt he would fully endorse Communism as a whole.
@@synaxispodcast - Well, technically "Marxism" didn't exist yet, as we know it, in the 1840s. But it's very clear that Dickens was not at all approving of unfettered capitalism's greed, as Gordon Gecko describes it in the film "Wall Street".
@@erikdolnack2737 Sure, that's fair enough. But I don't think he would have been caught up in what would become the Marxist dialectic of "capitalism vs. communism." He would have known that greed is a vice that plagues the human race no matter the prevailing political system. In other words, capitalism itself isn't greedy, people are. I think Marx and Engels were reacting to a real problem but I don't think their diagnoses or proposed solutions got anywhere near the heart of it. And I certainly wouldn't lump Dickens in with them.
@@synaxispodcast "capitalism itself isn't greedy, people are" - You are putting words in Dickens' mouth. We have no way of knowing he would have agreed with that statement at all. Marx and Engels certainly would not agree with that statement, as they saw the problem as systemic, not individualistic.
@@erikdolnack2737 I'm not putting words in his mouth, I just get the feeling that Dickens had a more sophisticated understanding of human nature than Marx and Engels did. The problem of greed isn't merely systemic, it's much deeper than that. Do you think that people would just all of a sudden stop being greedy under a different economic system?
"Back flipping gymnast girl" 🤦🏼♂️ That's Mary Lou Retton.
Forgive us for not being up to speed with our 80's Olympic gymnasts. 😅
@@synaxispodcast She's a big reason as to why the US women's gymnastics is strong now. In 84 the US hadn't won a metal since 48 and no individual had ever won gold as the sport was dominated by eastern European (Soviet Block) countries. Mary Lou Retton's perfect 10 on vault won her the all around gold by just 0.05 points and lead the US to a team silver. Given the spectacle that surrounded the 84 Olympics and cold war climate... this propelled Mary Lou into a national darling hero and sponsorships for the US Gymnastics team followed hot and heavy setting the stage for the US program to become a world powerhouse.
Pretty much... she was a house hold name... the equivalent to Michael Phelps or Simone Biles
@@mithroch Nice. Thanks for the history lesson. I was vaguely aware of her as a kid but never really knew much about her.
In "The Muppet's Christmas Carol", I wish the Old maid carolers' bit in the "Scrooge" song was left out though, because it kind of ruins the proper tone of the entire number.
Perhaps so.
Your assessment of the Mr. Magoo version leaves me shocked and stunned! NO good songs!? Did you even LISTEN past the first song ("It's Great to Be Back on Broadway," which admittedly sucks)? "The Lord's Bright Blessing" and "Alone in the World" can move one to tears, and an expanded version of this musical should REALLY appear on Broadway! Highest marks, however, go to "We're Despicable (Plunderer's March)," which is only my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE song in ANY musical version of "A Christmas Carol"! The season isn't complete unless I at least play that song if not watch the entire show, and I hear it play in my head in the thieves scene in every other version. Look at the otherwise excellent Albert Finney musical. It had ONE great song, "Thank You Very Much," one okay song, "December the 25th," and one not too bad song, "Sing a Christmas Carol," and I defy you to even name any of the other songs, that's THREE memorable songs from a LONG, FULL LENGTH musical, and here the very short Mr. Magoo version has THREE great songs! Also you don't give Jim Backus proper credit. He is playing a well-known cartoon character playing a well-known literary character on Broadway, a VERY difficult role! The show also has a lovely early 1960s Broadway feel. Most of all, "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" was the FIRST animated Christmas special, paving the way for all others to follow! You should learn respect for traditional origins.
Glad to see Mr. Magoo has some defenders. Maybe I'll revisit it some time but this time around it didn't do much for me.
I know it sounds like an oddball theory, but “MR. MAGOO’S CHRISTMAS CAROL” had both a theatrical release in December 1962 as well as an NBC airing in the very same year.
Hopefully, as soon as my oldest son gets the old Rebel Theatre in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, fixed up properly to show lots of classic movies on a regular basis, he plans to include “MR. MAGOO’S CHRISTMAS CAROL” on the theatre screen each December.
You missed the worst one.
Which one is that?
@@synaxispodcast Click
@@jonmonroe4813 🤣 I wouldn't count that as an adaptation though. Maybe a knockoff.
@@jonmonroe4813 Click really isn't a Christmas Carol retelling. It's much more similar to a story about a boy who was given a ball of thread that was supposed to be his life. If he wanted to skip something, all he had to do was give the thread a slight tug.
And before he knew it, his whole life was gone. But then he was able to go back.
@@ADBH-sd8cz I like that story. Never heard it before. Thanks for sharing. ☺
George C. Scott was also voice actor for Percival McLeech, the villain from Disney's "The Rescuers Down Under". Technically I have two David Werner Films, "A Christmas Carrol" and "Teen Age Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze"
Wow I didnt know George C Scott was a voice in that movie! Used to love that one. Turtles 2 was also my intro to David Warner when I was a wee lad haha.
@@synaxispodcast; most kids don't stick around to look at the end credits for the names of the cast members, It would not be any surprise if they would want to stay seated to check out the bonus features either, even if those features included fun activities that you could do while using your DVD/Blu-Ray Player, but adults seem to have better appreciation for the details that come with watching movies, while kids only have the better appreciation with the imagination that seem like magic to them when they watch the movies.🙃
Allister sim, full stop
As far as the protagonist's character is concerned, Sim, Scott and Stewart are the closest to the book version. All three emphasise his lonesomeness, tunnel vision for work, and miserliness and downplay his holiday and people hatred.
Most tend to make him actively more grouchy and prone to outbursts, which wasn't him so much as detached.
I liked "The Man Who Invented Christmas", but I think I'd like to meet the real 1860's London man himself. The Charles Dickens from one of the Doctor Who Specials was a lot closer to the real Charles Dickens, because the Real Charles Dickens didn't have the kind of problems that Van Gough had.
Oh you mean the Doctor Who episode "The Unquiet Dead" with Simon Callow as Dickens? I thought it was neat that Callow played the illustrator John Leech in The Man Who Invented Christmas. I know Simon Callow played Dickens several times and did some one man shows as him.
I like Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol ok, but it would still be the kind of movie I would watch in case I am board; the singing isn't really the musical kind of singing, more like a dialogue kind of singing, that is different from actually singing. It might sound like bad singing, but that is not what Magoo was really doing; because he is as blind to the real world as he is physically nearsighted; I have seen some reruns of the show before and I had once seen the Live action film too. If you compare Mr. Magoo's Ebenezer Scrooge counting his gold with Scrooge Mc Duck's Ebenezer Scrooge (at the first introduction of film) counting his gold, there is a little singing in both their voices but both are only speaking in dialogue, neither were really singing.
Good point well taken.
A Christmas Carol is supposed to be a redemptive story. Leaving out the spiritual elements and the Christian story of it, is not a viable option. It completely ruins the arc of the story. Though I have not seen it, and have no wish to, the Netflix story sounds like another victimhood status saga. So tired of it.
TBH, for me the Albert Finney version is the best, and your ranking of it made the rest of your tier rankings hard to trust. Finney won a Golden Globe award for Best Actor and the movie itself received 4 Academy Award nominations. The fact that it stands up so well over more than 50 years (good sets, good costumes, good acting, good script and effects) should put it in the top tier alone. Seeing it now, one need not make any apologies for the era in which it was made. It stands on its own. I'd give it another chance, and try not to be so tired next time.
Thanks for the comment. I'll certainly revisit the Finney version in Christmases yet to come but this time around it didnt do much for me. The songs are ok, not bad but not great. You're right though, as we mentioned in the video, the set design is spectacular. Maybe the rest of the film will grow on me with time.
I totally agree with you about leaving out the Christian and spiritual elements of the story. It's a total non-starter.
I think you're referring to the FX/BBC version as a "victimhood status saga". I think it was more than that but I also have a feeling you wouldn't enjoy it very much regardless lol.
Cheers.
Have you not seen the animated Netflix musical version with Scrooge's dog?
Nope haven't had a chance to see that one yet. Is it any good?
@@synaxispodcast it's not bad. Some of the songs are surprisingly good.
@@dimetrealexiou5633 Nice! We'll check it out!
I think Scott’s accent sounds a little too mid-Atlantic. He doesn’t sound like how I imagine a nineteenth-century Londoner would have sounded - or rather he sounds too different from the other characters.
Fair point. I noticed that too but it didnt bother me much.