Top 10 Greatest A Christmas Carol Adaptations
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Date: 2023-11-20
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Comments and reviews: 30
Robert
I can understand Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol not making the list, but it was the most important one in my childhood Watching it was a yearly ritual in my family for entering into the spirit of Christmas. My dad had a strangely poignant response to this fairly cheesy cartoon. I think he identified with Mr. Scrooge and was captivated by the possibility of redemption that Scrooge got, and by extension, that he could get. The Magoo version is very cheesy, but I overlook that when I see it because I remember the way Dad felt about it, and how it was a yearly road for our family to pass into the Christmas Archives World of the collective psyche before the noisy blitz of family visitors got started and the gluttony of presents and turkey dinner made such reminiscences impossible. Watching MMCC I saw Dad get transformed along with Mr. Magoo. I guess the Mr. Magoo version was the only one he knew - probably because it was 100% pop culture the year it came out (1962) and it was always given an important spot in the media' saturation of the airwaves. You almost couldn't miss it. I was in the second grade then. He never actually told us what had moved him. I sure would like to travel back to that time and ask him to explain what was binding his own spirit like Scrooge's, and what form the Spirits' visitation would take for his own liberation. Someday when I too am a spirit I intend to have him tell me all about it.
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I can understand Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol not making the list, but it was the most important one in my childhood Watching it was a yearly ritual in my family for entering into the spirit of Christmas. My dad had a strangely poignant response to this fairly cheesy cartoon. I think he identified with Mr. Scrooge and was captivated by the possibility of redemption that Scrooge got, and by extension, that he could get. The Magoo version is very cheesy, but I overlook that when I see it because I remember the way Dad felt about it, and how it was a yearly road for our family to pass into the Christmas Archives World of the collective psyche before the noisy blitz of family visitors got started and the gluttony of presents and turkey dinner made such reminiscences impossible. Watching MMCC I saw Dad get transformed along with Mr. Magoo. I guess the Mr. Magoo version was the only one he knew - probably because it was 100% pop culture the year it came out (1962) and it was always given an important spot in the media' saturation of the airwaves. You almost couldn't miss it. I was in the second grade then. He never actually told us what had moved him. I sure would like to travel back to that time and ask him to explain what was binding his own spirit like Scrooge's, and what form the Spirits' visitation would take for his own liberation. Someday when I too am a spirit I intend to have him tell me all about it.
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Glicksman1
None of the films of ACC are purely authentic to the book, but I find that Alistair Sim's 1951 film is the best if only for his remarkable performance. The deletions and alterations in this film are annoying, but not as much as in others. Sim's flaw is that he's not mean enough, but as the happy Scrooge he is by far the best ever.
Patrick Stewart's is excellent, as always, but surprisingly, the film is not as good or as authentic as I hoped it might be given that Sir Patrick is a Dickens and an ACC aficionado.
George C. Scott was excellent, arguably the best mean Scrooge of all, but not believable as the happy Scrooge. He was miscast, IMO.
Mr. Magoo's is the most charming of the animated ones with the best songs and is most charming. The play within a play thing was unnecessary and a mistake, though.
Honorable Mentions: Reginald Owen, Muppets.
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None of the films of ACC are purely authentic to the book, but I find that Alistair Sim's 1951 film is the best if only for his remarkable performance. The deletions and alterations in this film are annoying, but not as much as in others. Sim's flaw is that he's not mean enough, but as the happy Scrooge he is by far the best ever.
Patrick Stewart's is excellent, as always, but surprisingly, the film is not as good or as authentic as I hoped it might be given that Sir Patrick is a Dickens and an ACC aficionado.
George C. Scott was excellent, arguably the best mean Scrooge of all, but not believable as the happy Scrooge. He was miscast, IMO.
Mr. Magoo's is the most charming of the animated ones with the best songs and is most charming. The play within a play thing was unnecessary and a mistake, though.
Honorable Mentions: Reginald Owen, Muppets.
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Angel
You know Sonic the Hedgehog also deserves a Christmas Carol adaptation since some of the Sonic characters might be good at portraying the Christmas Carol characters such as:
Shadow the Hedgehog as Ebenezer Scrooge
Sonic the Hedgehog as Bob Cratchit
Amy Rose as Emily Cratchit
Tails the Fox as Fred(Scrooge's nephew)
Knuckles the Echidna as Jacob Marley
Rouge the Bat as the Ghost of Christmas Past
Vector the Crocodile as the Ghost of Christmas Present
Chaos, Metal Sonic, or Dr. Eggman as the Ghost of Christmas Future
Maria Robotnik as Belle(Scrooge's ex Fiancee)
Prof. Gerald Robotnik as Mr. Fezziwig
Cream the Rabbit as Fan Scrooge(Scrooge's sister)
Silver the Hedgehog and Blaze the Cat or Charmy the Bee, Espio the Chameleon, and Big the Cat as the Charity Donors(that Scrooge refuses to give money until the End.
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You know Sonic the Hedgehog also deserves a Christmas Carol adaptation since some of the Sonic characters might be good at portraying the Christmas Carol characters such as:
Shadow the Hedgehog as Ebenezer Scrooge
Sonic the Hedgehog as Bob Cratchit
Amy Rose as Emily Cratchit
Tails the Fox as Fred(Scrooge's nephew)
Knuckles the Echidna as Jacob Marley
Rouge the Bat as the Ghost of Christmas Past
Vector the Crocodile as the Ghost of Christmas Present
Chaos, Metal Sonic, or Dr. Eggman as the Ghost of Christmas Future
Maria Robotnik as Belle(Scrooge's ex Fiancee)
Prof. Gerald Robotnik as Mr. Fezziwig
Cream the Rabbit as Fan Scrooge(Scrooge's sister)
Silver the Hedgehog and Blaze the Cat or Charmy the Bee, Espio the Chameleon, and Big the Cat as the Charity Donors(that Scrooge refuses to give money until the End.
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Tracesprite
Please be kind to misers. If someone is fixated on money, it means that they have given up on human relationships. They want the predictability of something you can count (and count on) instead of the complexity of human interactions. George Eliot's book Silas Marner explored this problem in a more insightful way than Dickens' novel with its blatant anti-semitism. In the 19th century, Europe discriminated harshly against Jews which was why Scrooge would have been so desperate to save money. Dickens' book totally disrespects Scrooge's right to not celebrate a festival which is not part of his religion. Dickens does explore the sadness in Scrooge's life which leads to him giving up on being a caring person. The ending is nice as it reignites hope for Scrooge.
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Please be kind to misers. If someone is fixated on money, it means that they have given up on human relationships. They want the predictability of something you can count (and count on) instead of the complexity of human interactions. George Eliot's book Silas Marner explored this problem in a more insightful way than Dickens' novel with its blatant anti-semitism. In the 19th century, Europe discriminated harshly against Jews which was why Scrooge would have been so desperate to save money. Dickens' book totally disrespects Scrooge's right to not celebrate a festival which is not part of his religion. Dickens does explore the sadness in Scrooge's life which leads to him giving up on being a caring person. The ending is nice as it reignites hope for Scrooge.
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Patricia
Of all the adaptations I've seen, the 1951 version with Alistair Sim captures the atmosphere of Dickens' story the best. Sim was known mostly as a comic actor, having done such films as 'The Belles of St. Trinian's', which may have made his casting somewhat against type. However, his nuanced portrayal makes his eventual change of heart all the more striking. I think my favorite bits are his interaction with Mrs. Dilber on Christmas morning, and just after he sends Bob Cratchit out for a new coal scuttle.
Fun Fact: Noel Langley, screenwriter for this version, wrote only one other movie script of which I'm aware: 1939's 'The Wizard of Oz'.
To quote Mrs. Dilber: Merry Christmas, if it ain't outta keepin' with the situation.
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Of all the adaptations I've seen, the 1951 version with Alistair Sim captures the atmosphere of Dickens' story the best. Sim was known mostly as a comic actor, having done such films as 'The Belles of St. Trinian's', which may have made his casting somewhat against type. However, his nuanced portrayal makes his eventual change of heart all the more striking. I think my favorite bits are his interaction with Mrs. Dilber on Christmas morning, and just after he sends Bob Cratchit out for a new coal scuttle.
Fun Fact: Noel Langley, screenwriter for this version, wrote only one other movie script of which I'm aware: 1939's 'The Wizard of Oz'.
To quote Mrs. Dilber: Merry Christmas, if it ain't outta keepin' with the situation.
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TheMouseAvenger
EXCELLENT pick of Christmas Carol adaptations! _ Several of them I've already seen, & they're all just so wonderful! :-)
My only qualms about the list, are these: 1) You forgot to honorably mention the 1997 animated musical version of A Christmas Carol, starring Tim Curry, Edward Asner, & Whoopi Goldberg (which, I might add, is my all-time #1 favorite animated adaptation of ACC. You should include that version on a Part 2 for this video. :-)
2) Mickey's Christmas Carol should have been placed higher up on the list.
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EXCELLENT pick of Christmas Carol adaptations! _ Several of them I've already seen, & they're all just so wonderful! :-)
My only qualms about the list, are these: 1) You forgot to honorably mention the 1997 animated musical version of A Christmas Carol, starring Tim Curry, Edward Asner, & Whoopi Goldberg (which, I might add, is my all-time #1 favorite animated adaptation of ACC. You should include that version on a Part 2 for this video. :-)
2) Mickey's Christmas Carol should have been placed higher up on the list.
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AstroTheGamosian
The ones I remember the most are Mickey's Christmas Carol, and the version starring Sir Patrick Stewart as Ebenezer Scrooge. The Disney one gave me nightmares as a kid. I dreamt I was in Scrooge's place as he was dangling over his coffin as it opened up to reveal the fires of Hell. But that was a long time ago, so some details may be a bit fudged.
But Sir Patrick Stewart was brilliant as Scrooge. Heck, he's brilliant in everything he's been in, even the bad movies he was in, like Dune 1984.
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The ones I remember the most are Mickey's Christmas Carol, and the version starring Sir Patrick Stewart as Ebenezer Scrooge. The Disney one gave me nightmares as a kid. I dreamt I was in Scrooge's place as he was dangling over his coffin as it opened up to reveal the fires of Hell. But that was a long time ago, so some details may be a bit fudged.
But Sir Patrick Stewart was brilliant as Scrooge. Heck, he's brilliant in everything he's been in, even the bad movies he was in, like Dune 1984.
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Richard
What really stands out for me about the Alistair Sim A Christmas Carol is that, when I decided to buy a copy, I could not find it in the holiday video display. There was a multitude of different versions, but not the one that I was looking for. I asked the clerk, who told me that I was looking for it in the wrong place, as it was stocked all year round, with the other movies whose titles started with 'C'.
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What really stands out for me about the Alistair Sim A Christmas Carol is that, when I decided to buy a copy, I could not find it in the holiday video display. There was a multitude of different versions, but not the one that I was looking for. I asked the clerk, who told me that I was looking for it in the wrong place, as it was stocked all year round, with the other movies whose titles started with 'C'.
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Thomas
The 1970 musical Scrooge, starring Albert Finney, is my personal favourite (although Alistair Sim and George C Scott are also excellent. Scrooge was that years film attraction at Radio City Music Hall in New York, along with the annual Christmas stage show. Those were the days! The grand finale Thank You Very Much was sung by several people as they exited the theatre! Nice way to head home!
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The 1970 musical Scrooge, starring Albert Finney, is my personal favourite (although Alistair Sim and George C Scott are also excellent. Scrooge was that years film attraction at Radio City Music Hall in New York, along with the annual Christmas stage show. Those were the days! The grand finale Thank You Very Much was sung by several people as they exited the theatre! Nice way to head home!
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Diane
My top five#
5 Patrick Stewart as Scrooge. Pretty good - not perfect, but pretty good.
4 Alastair Sim as Scrooge. Very good, but again, not perfect.
3 The Muppet Christmas Carol. Top-notch adaptation. The best of the muppet films.
2 Scrooge with Albert Finney. The best of the musical versions.
1 George C Scott as Scrooge. Superb adaptation. A fine job from all.
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My top five#
5 Patrick Stewart as Scrooge. Pretty good - not perfect, but pretty good.
4 Alastair Sim as Scrooge. Very good, but again, not perfect.
3 The Muppet Christmas Carol. Top-notch adaptation. The best of the muppet films.
2 Scrooge with Albert Finney. The best of the musical versions.
1 George C Scott as Scrooge. Superb adaptation. A fine job from all.
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Kieran
Scrooge (1970) should be higher on the list. From the mixture of the use of Albert Finney as Scrooge to the mix of the cream of British Acting Talent like Alec Guinness and Kenneth Moore as Marley and The Ghost of Christmas Present. It's certainly a feel-good movie which really brings the heart of Scrooge into play especially during the scenes of the past and present.
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Scrooge (1970) should be higher on the list. From the mixture of the use of Albert Finney as Scrooge to the mix of the cream of British Acting Talent like Alec Guinness and Kenneth Moore as Marley and The Ghost of Christmas Present. It's certainly a feel-good movie which really brings the heart of Scrooge into play especially during the scenes of the past and present.
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Angel
You know I'm surprised they didn't make make A Christmas Carol adaptations on other cartoons such as SpongeBob Squarepants and the Jetsons(I mean Mr. Krabs or Squidward and Cosmo Spacely are based on Ebenezer Scrooge and SpongeBob and George Jetson are based on Bob Cratchit)so they deserve to have A Christmas Carol story adapted as well.
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You know I'm surprised they didn't make make A Christmas Carol adaptations on other cartoons such as SpongeBob Squarepants and the Jetsons(I mean Mr. Krabs or Squidward and Cosmo Spacely are based on Ebenezer Scrooge and SpongeBob and George Jetson are based on Bob Cratchit)so they deserve to have A Christmas Carol story adapted as well.
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Kathy
I know this is 5 years old, but I've only just found it. I am so happy to see the Alastair Sim version made #1. I agree with that wholeheartedly. A couple of the others may have followed the book better, but Alastair Sim captured the character of Ebenezer Scrooge better than anybody else. He became Scrooge.
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I know this is 5 years old, but I've only just found it. I am so happy to see the Alastair Sim version made #1. I agree with that wholeheartedly. A couple of the others may have followed the book better, but Alastair Sim captured the character of Ebenezer Scrooge better than anybody else. He became Scrooge.
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fanjoy
Watched Magoo's Christmas Carol when it first appeared on network tv (early 60's. Had to get the VHS, then DVD. Doesn't feel like Christmas without it. I suspect the song The Lord's Bright Blessing turns off networks, and radio stations that play Christmas music on Thanksgiving Day till New Years.
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Watched Magoo's Christmas Carol when it first appeared on network tv (early 60's. Had to get the VHS, then DVD. Doesn't feel like Christmas without it. I suspect the song The Lord's Bright Blessing turns off networks, and radio stations that play Christmas music on Thanksgiving Day till New Years.
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Jake
My honorable mentions:
Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas (2006, a modern retelling featuring Daffy Duck in the Scrooge role, and Bugs Bunny as the host.
Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo (2004, a retelling Christmas swapped Easter animated version produced at DisneyToon Studios.
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My honorable mentions:
Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas (2006, a modern retelling featuring Daffy Duck in the Scrooge role, and Bugs Bunny as the host.
Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo (2004, a retelling Christmas swapped Easter animated version produced at DisneyToon Studios.
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msmojo
Im bias when it comes to the Alastair Sim version, hes a great Uncle of mine. I of course never met him, he passed long before I was born. But, I did however follow in his footsteps in becoming apart of film(Even as an actor. This adaptation is by far the best and deserves to be #1.
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Im bias when it comes to the Alastair Sim version, hes a great Uncle of mine. I of course never met him, he passed long before I was born. But, I did however follow in his footsteps in becoming apart of film(Even as an actor. This adaptation is by far the best and deserves to be #1.
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Markus
It really is a shame the 2019 BBC Version ist almost not available outside of the UK. I had the chance to see it once and i must say that after watching the trailer and beeing quite sceptical i enjoyed it a lot. I would even say it is in my personal top 3.
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It really is a shame the 2019 BBC Version ist almost not available outside of the UK. I had the chance to see it once and i must say that after watching the trailer and beeing quite sceptical i enjoyed it a lot. I would even say it is in my personal top 3.
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War
George C. Scott's portrayal of Scrooge in 1975 leans heavily on Alastair Sim's rendition 25 years earlier. Mr Sim's is the very best bar none. I see you have seen fit to omit that one and substitute most of the more tawdry versions - to your almighty shame.
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George C. Scott's portrayal of Scrooge in 1975 leans heavily on Alastair Sim's rendition 25 years earlier. Mr Sim's is the very best bar none. I see you have seen fit to omit that one and substitute most of the more tawdry versions - to your almighty shame.
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Papa
The 2009 Disney adaptation with its catastrophically creepy CGI, is an abomination. Of all the straight up adaptations, Alistair Sim's 1951 portrayal is the best. Scrooged and Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol are up there with the Muppets.
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The 2009 Disney adaptation with its catastrophically creepy CGI, is an abomination. Of all the straight up adaptations, Alistair Sim's 1951 portrayal is the best. Scrooged and Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol are up there with the Muppets.
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Lord
My personal favourite is A Christmas Carol 1984 starring George C. Scott. I remember the first time I watched it on VHS with my Grandmother when I was only 8 years old. It's been an important part of my Christmas retinue ever since.
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My personal favourite is A Christmas Carol 1984 starring George C. Scott. I remember the first time I watched it on VHS with my Grandmother when I was only 8 years old. It's been an important part of my Christmas retinue ever since.
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Matthew
Very much for kids? I thought the muppet movies and most projects of these characters were meant for entire families. My mom says it's sad that these old shows that were intended for families are now considered just for kids.
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Very much for kids? I thought the muppet movies and most projects of these characters were meant for entire families. My mom says it's sad that these old shows that were intended for families are now considered just for kids.
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Kathleen
I believe Jim Carrey said he was actually imitating Alastair Sim when he did the second Disney version. He really does sound a lot like him in it. So glad you included George C Scotts version-thats one of my favorites!
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I believe Jim Carrey said he was actually imitating Alastair Sim when he did the second Disney version. He really does sound a lot like him in it. So glad you included George C Scotts version-thats one of my favorites!
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Polka
My wife and I watch about a half dozen Christmas movies every year, but only one has a specific time it's always watched, and that's Muppets Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve night because of One More Sleep til Christmas.
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My wife and I watch about a half dozen Christmas movies every year, but only one has a specific time it's always watched, and that's Muppets Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve night because of One More Sleep til Christmas.
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Ok
Mickey's Christmas Carol for me is #1 in my book. I remember they show that movie every year around christmas in the late 80s early 90s on CBS. The only problem was the length of the movie was short like less than an hour.
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Mickey's Christmas Carol for me is #1 in my book. I remember they show that movie every year around christmas in the late 80s early 90s on CBS. The only problem was the length of the movie was short like less than an hour.
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Kris
Literally cant take your list seriously when you have the jim Carrey version as 10th which is the closest adaptation to Charles dickens book than all in the list and the dr who version above it, what a complete joke
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Literally cant take your list seriously when you have the jim Carrey version as 10th which is the closest adaptation to Charles dickens book than all in the list and the dr who version above it, what a complete joke
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Thursty
This list is trashed for not including the Mr. Magoo version. Many adaptations include the dialogue from the book because the book is very dialogue driven and it is easy to frame that dialogue in any adaptation.
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This list is trashed for not including the Mr. Magoo version. Many adaptations include the dialogue from the book because the book is very dialogue driven and it is easy to frame that dialogue in any adaptation.
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Christopher
the last thing we need is another adaptation of a christmas carol. because there is too many. even iconic cartoon charecters have their version. from mickey mouse to the flintstones to even looney tunes.
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the last thing we need is another adaptation of a christmas carol. because there is too many. even iconic cartoon charecters have their version. from mickey mouse to the flintstones to even looney tunes.
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Luke
1. A Christmas Carol (1951)
The fact that Scrooge finally got to hear his sisters last words, begging him to take care of her son is absolutely crucial for his development. It was heart-wrenching
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1. A Christmas Carol (1951)
The fact that Scrooge finally got to hear his sisters last words, begging him to take care of her son is absolutely crucial for his development. It was heart-wrenching
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Ruth
No hospital that their version of a Christmas Carol and thank God general hospital did their origin of it because general hospital did a really really good job sure Michael you can play the rules
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No hospital that their version of a Christmas Carol and thank God general hospital did their origin of it because general hospital did a really really good job sure Michael you can play the rules
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Chris
You forgot to mention The Christmas Carol The Movie That Animated Version from 2001 where Simon Callow and Kate Winslet and Nicholas Cage and Rhys Ifans were in why didn't you mention that?
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You forgot to mention The Christmas Carol The Movie That Animated Version from 2001 where Simon Callow and Kate Winslet and Nicholas Cage and Rhys Ifans were in why didn't you mention that?
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