Best movie version of A Christmas Carol?

[rowrrbazzle]

@randwill

I watched the Alastair Sim version last night. It had been a long time since I’d seen it. I loved it but thought the last scene, in the office with Bob Cratchit, where he kinda’ fakes ol’ Bob out at first, fell very flat. He tells Cratchit that he hasn’t lost his mind, but to all appearances, he has. I think it would have been better if Scrooge had displayed a bit more of his new self beyond instructing Cratchit to go buy more coal for the stove.

You think your way would have been “better” than the way Dickens wrote it? No comment.

In other versions, don’t we see Scrooge partying with the Cratchit family as he does with the nephew in this version?

The Reginald Owen version has that. Scrooge brings them lots of stuff including a tiny tabletop carousel toy. I do not like that at all.

[randwill]

@rowrrbazzle

You think your way would have been “better” than the way Dickens wrote it? No comment.

Maybe. Not everything that works on the page works as well on the screen. Any writer who has adapted their book to a screenplay knows this. Is the entire script of the Alstair Sim version word-for-word from the book?

I think it would have strengthened the final scene in Scrooge’s office in the film to add:

A look of realization crosses Cratchit’s face.

Cratchit: “The goose…”

Scrooge smiles broadly.

Cratchit’s eyes widen.

Cratchit: “Yes, Mr. Scrooge! Thank you, Mr. Scrooge.”

Cratchit exits.

The audience would get a strong feeling that Cratchit now knows for certain that the goose had come from Scrooge, as Tiny Tim suggests earlier, thus laying to rest any doubt in Cratchit’s mind that Scrooge has indeed reformed. This would have been a stronger end to the scene in my opinion. Dickens might have agreed.

[Baker]

It was a turkey, wasn’t it?

[randwill]

@Baker

It was a turkey, wasn’t it?

Yes. Thanks for the correction.

[Tim_R.Mortiss]

Nobody else remembers the Rich Little version? I haven’t seen it for years, but it was pretty funny. RL does all the characters, but as celebrities of the time (1970s) and earlier. I think Fred was played as Johnny Carson and the two charity collectors at the beginning were Laurel and Hardy.

edit: here it is - Christmas Carol (TV Movie 1978) - IMDb

But my vote is for Alastair Sim all the way.

[Skammer]

Although the Sim and Scott versions are rightfully classics, and I am partial to both Scrooged and the Muppets, I recommend not dismissing the Jim Carey version lightly. It was quite well done. Imaginative yet completely faithful to the Dickens story and dialogue.

My sentimental favorite performance was a stage presentation of A Christmas Carol I saw when I was a teenager starring Match Game’s Gene Rayburn. He was quite entertaining.

[Yookeroo]

@randwill

Maybe. Not everything that works on the page works as well on the screen. Any writer who has adapted their book to a screenplay knows this.

I completely agree with this. Nor do I think it’s impossible for a lowly screenwriter to improve on what Dickens wrote. But…

@randwill

I think it would have strengthened the final scene in Scrooge’s office in the film to add:

A look of realization crosses Cratchit’s face.

Cratchit: “The goose…”

Scrooge smiles broadly.

Cratchit’s eyes widen.

Cratchit: “Yes, Mr. Scrooge! Thank you, Mr. Scrooge.”

Cratchit exits.

…this sounds awful. I think Dickens wins this one.

[BrainGlutton]

Come on, guys, seriously, there’s only one choice: Scrooged!

::d&r::

[randwill]

@Yookeroo

I completely agree with this. Nor do I think it’s impossible for a lowly screenwriter to improve on what Dickens wrote. But…

…this sounds awful. I think Dickens wins this one.

Well, it’s just a first draft, Mr. DeMille.

[Alan_Smithee]

@Tim_R.Mortiss

Nobody else remembers the Rich Little version? I haven’t seen it for years, but it was pretty funny. RL does all the characters, but as celebrities of the time (1970s) and earlier. I think Fred was played as Johnny Carson and the two charity collectors at the beginning were Laurel and Hardy.

edit: here it is - Rich Little's Christmas Carol (TV Movie 1978) - IMDb

But my vote is for Alastair Sim all the way.

I thought I was the only person in the world who remembered and loved this. It’s the version I grew up with! (Seriously!)

[Floater]

@NitroPress

And I assume that, except for fans, the Black Adder Christmas Carol is not even on the list.

If you ask me it is the list.

[Phila444]

Definitely Alastair Sim for me with George C. Scott, Jim Carrey, the Muppets, and Patrick Stewart battling it out for second.

[Skammer]

@Phila444

George C. Scott, Jim Carrey, the Muppets, and Patrick Stewart battling it out

I’d like to see that movie.