[Kartographer]

Tonight was my yearly airing of 'A Christmas Carol' (1984) starring George C. Scott. My favorite and IMHO the very BEST version! Scott portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge is spot on with not a hint of the cartoonish over the top villainy so many version present. He is a man blinded by his need to do well financially in his life while completely ignorant to the lives of his fellow man living around him as well as being blind to all other faucets of his own life he as ignored and neglected in his pursuit of business success much to his own detriment and loss in every other facet of his personal life. I also believe you would be hard put to name another version with a better supporting cast than this version which counts among its members: Frank Finlay Jacob Marley Angela Pleasence Ghost of Christmas Past Edward Woodward Ghost of Christmas Present Michael Carter Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come David Warner Bob Cratchit Susannah York Mrs. Cratchit So if you haven't seen it watch it and if you have watch it again! So Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! And of course: GOD bless us every one!

[tallyhoe]

I like the 1938 one with Reginald Owens..

[Hebrews 11:6]

My favorite also. Watched it last week and will watch again next week.

Scott was born to play Scrooge. No one else comes close.

[cld51860]

I agree. By far the best version!

[Southnsoul]

No one well ever touch the version that Alastair Sim did in 1951. It’s our family’s favorite Christmas movie.

[Maris Crane]

Sorry, Alistair Sims IS Scrooge .

[jmacusa]

To each is own. But the ABSOLUTE best’’Christmas Carol’’ is the 1951 version with Alister Sim as “Scrooge’’.

[Kartographer]

As said to each their own, bur for me I dis like those who play Scrooge as a melodramatically almost cartoonish scenery chewer, it has been my experience that those type never change because they never hear anything but their own voice.

[Repeal The 17th]

“A Christmas Carol”
With “Scrooge” played by:
1938-Reginald Owens
1951-Alastair Sim
1984-George C. Scott
1988-Bill Murray (”Scrooged”)
1999-Patrick Stewart

Plus:
1962-A Mr. Magoo version
1983-A Disney version
1992-A Muppet version
And many other versions...

It’s all good, it was a dickens of a story!

[ClaytonForester]

I vote Alastair Sims.

[USAF1985]

Owens, Sims and Scott all have places in my heart. George C Scott edges the other two by a nose (he was Patton…the perfect Scrooge).

[Adder]

Roger Rees as Fred played the young English dandy perfectly. Use “Oh hurrah” pretty much all the time.

Love G.C. Scott in the role but I have a huge soft spot for Alister Simm.

I think the 1984 version was a lusher production with so many fine nuances that it seemed to capture Dickens more completely.

But what do I know...I put Christmas Vacation at the head of all the Christmas movies.

[STJPII]

Kelsey Grammar 2004 is very good

[GreenLanternCorps]

1. Alistair Sim
2. George C. Scott
3. Patrick Stewart

(But it is close, as all three are excellent.)

[BlueLancer]

And don't forget that other great Christmas classic:

[GaltAdonis]

[ArtDodger]

IMHO, it is hard to speak in the old English tongue of the novel and pass it off as natural.
Owens, while a great actor, sounded as if he struggled with the words rolling around in his mouth.
Scott handled the words and phrasing masterfully. That cynical laugh of his starts deep in the chest and comes rumbling up and out like nobody’s business.
And the man can bark out a phrase!
Let’s not forget his timeless, ‘I WANT my MONEY!’

[Dr. Scarpetta]

We watched it yesterday and agree it’s the best version. I read that the actor who played Tiny Tim’s father passed away this year.