Personally, I like the 1951 version starring Alastair Sim…however, the George C, Scott version is pretty good too.
I really love this story…it is sad that young people don’t seem to read this story any more in school.
Anyway…was Scrooge a really cheap boss? Did employers usually give Christmas Day off with full pay (in Victorian England)?
I prefer the Muppets…but I’m sure that’s not the cultural answer you’re looking for…
I doubt they gave it off with full pay, but they probably at least gave their employees the day off.
i agree the alistair sim version is my favorite
slight hijack…what is tiny tims ailment…they say hes lame…what is that…how does he get well
I’m sure I’m in the vanishing minority here, but I’ve always been a big, big fan of Bill Murray’s Scrooged.
No no no -
1 Albert Finney in Scrooge
2 Bill Murray - his Richard Burton impression!
3 Patrick Stewart
4 Alistair Sim
I’m right - end this thread now.
One vote for Blackadder’s Christmas Carol.
hijack
Tiny Tim’s ailment(At least a theory)
http://www.evms.edu/about/evms_rr/dec2000/12-25_lewis.html
I’m such a big fan I bought in on DVD so I could watch it year around. It’s definitely my favorite take on A Christmas Carol.
Great topic, a story I’ve always been obsessed with.
Tied for first: Alistair Sim and Albert Finney.
The Sim version was overseen by Dickens’ granddaughter, who said it maintained the heart of her grandfather’s vision of the book. Of course they change some details (his fiancee actually ended up married, not single and alone) but the heart is the same. I wouldn’t go through Christmas without seeing Finney’s jubilant musical though. “I hate people, I abhor them…when I see the indolent classes, sitting on their indolent asses…”
In the Sim version we have the real Scrooge, who wasn’t full of loathing and hate so much as he was completely unfeeling and cold, immovable, intractable. He is a dishonest businessman. There was little active malice behind his nonaction, which made it that much scarier. In the Finney version we have a Scrooge that is actively angry and bitter yet just as capable of the opposite sentiments, who came by his money honestly though he is a miser. (Obviously not the “real” Scrooge but highly appealing.) As Weisel pointed out, the opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference. With Finney of course we have the wonderful music.
It’s kind of a double bind when you think about it. I don’t know much about whether a real employer of the time would have given the day off, paid. What we do know is that Scrooge came by his fortune dishonestly, which was probably partly behind his inability to enjoy it. The problem is, though, without that fortune the ending we enjoy would not have been possible. It isn’t exactly a question of whether the ends justify the means, but it is a bit of a dilemma. I know it’s too late at this point to do anything about his past, but when you think that his good acts now couldn’t exist without his thievery it’s vaguely disturbing.
I’d rather poke my eyeballs out with hot fondue forks than watch George C. Scott’s heartless portrayal. Not only is the dialogue as boring as watching paint dry, it is delivered without a scintilla of feeling. Compared to the brilliant Sim (who, despite the cold and unfeeling nature of the character portrays amazing depth even from the beginning) or the explosive Finney, I don’t see the slightest value in that version.
Another vote for the Muppet version.
My original home town has done this play every year for ten years at christmas time, the same version of the play too, so if any of the actors mess up one of their lines, the audience (who have goten to know it for heart), remind them what it is.
Ah, yes, that old Chinese curse has certainly not come true for that small NH town.
I forgot to add that the Finney version is full of laughs. He’s above all a funny Scrooge.
Full of laughs? Have you SEEN the Muppet version?
I always have to watch it twice every Christmas. Generally once a week before while wrapping presents, and once with my little sister on Christmas eve.
I’m sure Patrick Stewart did a good job, but Michael Caine will forever own the part for me. Some actors look lost when they work with the Muppets, but he nailed the performance, both in terms of comedy and deeper emotions.
Sim Scrooge, so good is spawned video games.
It is the only one that still remains fresh.
After that, I’ll go with the Muppets, since it was funny.
Patrick Stewart. I actually cry when I watch it. Muppets are second place.
Every time I read “Sim Scrooge” I think Maxis has released a holiday expansion pack for their best-known game.
Cadbury, I love Muppet movies and didn’t criticize their Christmas Carol 
Good stuff.
The thread asked for the best version, I assume of the book, as in the best adaptation. Those were my picks and one pan. Scrooged is good and funny too, but it isn’t really an adaptation of the book. It’s a modern retelling, which isn’t the same thing.
Finney’s Scrooge is most certainly laugh-inspiring. The word “jubilant” expresses it best though. 
George C. Scott is the best Scrooge on film. And the Marley portrayal was simply the best ever.
I like the Sims version as most true to the book. But I must admit to watching Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol every year and singing happily along. “We’re rep-re-hensible…we’ll steal your pen…and pen-ci-ble… la la la la la la la.” It’s really my favorite.
We bought the videotape of Magoo’s Carol last year, as_u. What a fun and classic bit of movie that is! Razzleberry dressing and LA! LA! lalalalala.