# Best movie version of A Christmas Carol? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 24, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043 "2012-12-24T20:10:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/1 "2012-12-24T20:10:16Z")
I realize that this is probably one of those things that just depends on what you’re used to… but what is the best movie version of A Christmas Carol? Is the Jim Carrey one as bad as his Dr. Seuss films? Is the Alastair Sim version better than the George C. Scott version? I saw part of the Patrick Stewart version and was impressed with his acting but don’t really remember anything else about it. As you can tell, I haven’t really watched any of them. I grew up with a copy of the Disney version with Scrooge McDuck. Opinions? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/2 "2012-12-24T20:19:52Z")
Alastair Sim, simply because his bad Scrooge is so totally bad, while his good Scrooge is so delightful. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/3 "2012-12-24T20:21:43Z")
The Alastair Sim is my favorite, but I’ll admit that I’ve only seen bits and pieces of the others. The story of Scrooge is one that seems best suited to black and white, England, and the early 1950’s. Other versions don’t seem authentic. ---
**Author:** ![Rollo\_Tomasi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/58956e/32.png) [@Rollo\_Tomasi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rollo_Tomasi)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/4 "2012-12-24T20:23:14Z")
My favorite is easily the Alastair Sim version. The type of black-and-white cinematography they used really captures the eeriness of the story and the bleakness of the setting, and the special effects have held up surprisingly well. Sim occasionally looks like his eyes are going to bug out of their sockets, but other than that, he’s a terrific Scrooge. I just saw the Patrick Stewart version for the first time the other day, and I quite enjoyed it. Stewart took a slightly different approach to the character. He’s more withdrawn and seething-on-the-inside, rather than the loud, blustery fellow that you see in other versions. I also admit to being a fan of the Disney version with Scrooge McDuck. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Sparky\_the\_Wonder\_Spirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky_the_Wonder_Spirit)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/5 "2012-12-24T20:35:01Z")
My favorite is the George C. Scott version, although the Alastair Sim is good too. I like Scott’s sarcastic take on Scrooge. Disney’s is my childhood fave. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/6 "2012-12-24T20:49:11Z")
Muppet Christmas carol, I watched it a couple of hours ago and my little lad loved it (as did I) it is a faithful retelling and carries the required emotional weight. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/7 "2012-12-24T20:51:07Z")
Funny, we’ve been having a household discussion on just this topic and have looked over the options for most of the week. The 1951 Alastair Sim version seems to be the perennial favorite of viewers and critics, with the GCS version a close second. I am fond of the Muppet version, although I wouldn’t try to compare it to the two more serious classics. And I assume that, except for fans, the _Black Adder Christmas Carol_ is not even on the list. ---
**Author:** ![Hermione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cdc98d/32.png) [@Hermione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermione)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/8 "2012-12-24T21:21:11Z")
The George C. Scott version has inched its way ahead of even the Alastair Sim version in my opinion. Not that the Sim version isn’t good, but I just love all the little tiny mannerisms Scott gives his–the facial expressions and glances. I love the way he even plays the post-redemption scenes a little restrained. And I love the way everyone in it plays their character not as a cliche or cartoon character, but as a human being. (Notice how the best Scrooges play the character not as simply a miser, but as a _businessman?_ And I really like David Warner’s patient, levelheaded Bob Cratchit and Roger Rees’ non-cartoony Fred.) Another thing I didn’t notice until another commentator pointed it out–we’re used to seeing Scrooge as this geezer with one foot in the grave, but Scott plays him as younger and more vigorous, on top of his game. Which makes the vision of his future death rattle him that much more. I kind of like to see younger Scrooges–it gives us the impression that he’s still got enough years in him to do some good in the world after his transformation. Sir Patrick Stewart’s 1999 version is quite good, too. Again, Sir Patrick gives Scrooge small touches that make him seem all the more human. For example, when he cries out, “Why show me my grave if I am past all hope?” he follows that up with a “Ha!” pointing at the Spirit as if to say, “Got you on that point!” For kids, the Mickey version is nice enough, but the Magoo and Muppet versions are the best for introducing younger ones to the story. Albert Finney’s Scrooge has some great songs. And 2009’s Jim Carrey version is very book-faithful. It has some moments where it falls down, where either the voice actors play it too cartoony (like Colin Firth does for Fred in his first scene) or they insert “Whee! Look what we can do in 3D!” scenes (shrinking Scrooge for the first part of the Christmas Future sequence). But they include TONS of tiny details from the book (the blind man’s dog pulling his master away from Scrooge, Bob sliding down the street with the boys before returning home Christmas Eve, the glimpse of the Lord Mayor’s dinner). And as for what they do with the demon-children Ignorance and Want…you can separate the great adapatations of this from the merely good by whether they include this scene, and what this version does with it is PHENOMENAL. I won’t spoil, but it sums up Dickens’ point in a few brief images. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/9 "2012-12-24T21:46:57Z")
Of all the “faithful” adaptations of ACC I like the Scott version the best. Partly it’s because I like the actor, and partly because of how the ending is done. I do like the Sim version though, and have never seen the Stewart version. Of all the “updated” versions I really, really, really like _Scrooged_, with Bill Murray. _“You’re talking to a guy who just this morning told someone to staple antlers to a mouse’s head…”_ As a kid I really liked the Magoo version. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/10 "2012-12-25T00:04:35Z")
The Muppet version is the only one I’ve ever seen. _“Light the lamp, not the rat!”_ ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/11 "2012-12-25T00:35:01Z")
George C. Scott for the win. The depiction of Marley’s ghost is fantastic, as is Edward Woodward’s ghost of Christmas past. Scott is delightfully crusty, even if his accent isn’t up to snuff. The only actor I didn’t like in this was the kid who played Tiny Tim, who couldn’t stop himself from looking at the camera on occasion. A minor annoyance. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/12 "2012-12-25T00:37:50Z")
There are lots of right answers. I love the Sim version. And the Scott version. And the Muppets version. And the Magoo version. Stewart is good, as is Scrooged. It’s well trod ground, but many have succeeded. ---
**Author:** ![A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a87d85/32.png) [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/13 "2012-12-25T02:39:46Z")
Alistair Sim. Which was not on this year! :mad: But I’ve run into the George C. Scott version at least a half-dozen times. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/14 "2012-12-25T02:46:37Z")
The 1938 Reginald Owen version is my favorite. I’ve always preferred it to the Sim version. ---
**Author:** ![tomcar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tomcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomcar)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/15 "2012-12-25T05:09:03Z")
The Disney version is the best. Even though I like Scrooged, the main aspects of the story itself are rather weak in that version. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/16 "2012-12-25T06:25:39Z")
Every year the wife and I watch the Muppet version. It is easily my favorite. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/17 "2012-12-25T07:44:18Z")
The one that hasn’t been made yet… Simpsons Christmas Carol. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/18 "2012-12-25T11:42:59Z")
> [@Hermione](#): > > And 2009’s Jim Carrey version is very book-faithful… > > And as for what they do with the demon-children Ignorance and Want…you can separate the great adapatations of this from the merely good by whether they include this scene, and what this version does with it is PHENOMENAL. I won’t spoil, but it sums up Dickens’ point in a few brief images. This above… Now for my assessment- Sim A#!!! Stewart- Close 2nd Scott- Woodward’s C’mas Present is a perfect match for Scott whom he gleefully torments ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/19 "2012-12-25T11:56:40Z")
The George C. Scott version, hands down. I haven’t seen it around the last couple of years, though ☹ I haven’t seen the Alastair Sim version in ages, so maybe I’d consider it a contender now. He scared the crap out of me when I was a kid! The Patrick Stewart version? Eh. There’s something about his portrayal that rubs me the wrong way, and I’m not sure why. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043/20 "2012-12-25T13:07:47Z")
Not a movie but for me it was always the Mr. Magoo version. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movie-version-of-a-christmas-carol/645043.md?page=2)