Posted on 12/25/2024 7:45:40 PM PST by Making_Sense [Rob W. Case]
Charles Dickens’s immortal classic “A Christmas Carol” always pops up at Christmas-time in some form or fashion, whether it be through feature films, TV specials, animation, puppetry, or what have you. And while it has been portrayed on film numerous times in numerous different ways, each version has its own appeal and approach that connects with audiences most favorably. This is a unique dynamic in the movie industry because for one story, you have many different feels and flavors.
Having said all that, I have many different versions of this story that I like a lot, however when I saw the 1984 version, it impacted me in a different way, as I will explain in this piece. The version of George C. Scott in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge made an impression that I believe Charles Dickens had intended in a way that was so much more than just telling a story. And that is the appeal this particular version has, so let me explain.
The Story:
The film begins with a shot of a 19th century hearse driving a coffin to the cemetery to be buried. The narrator begins “Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of this story that I am going to relate.” It is then we are taken through the streets of London England to the counting house of a shrewd yet powerfully business savvy moneylender named Ebenezer Scrooge (George C. Scott).
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There is another version with Kelsey Grammar that is also good.
I saw this version once as a child, probably when it initially aired on network TV back then. I remember thinking it was pretty good at the time and my parents seemed to prefer it, but the one I always return to that used to run over and over on TV back then was Scrooge (1970), the musical version with Albert Finney. It’s always going to win with me because of the nostalgia.
I agree! George C. Scott is the best Scrooge ever!
I just watched it last night! I love that one and M. Magoos Christmas Carol.
Disney and Jim Carrey teamed up for a version where Carrey did Scrooge, all the ghosts, and Marley, too, if I recall correctly.
It wasn’t bad. But it was all CGI and just a little unsettling to watch. (I feel the same about The Polar Express with Tom Hanks and thought the Carrey movie better.) I’ve not seen again it since its release.
Mine, too.
Scott the best? I go for Alistair Sim, in the golden oldie.
And razzle berry pudding!
I watched this version with George C. Scott last night for the first time. It was pretty good. It’s free on Tubi.
https://tubitv.com/movies/609208/a-christmas-carol
But my all-time favorite version is the 1951 Scrooge with Alastair Sim. The b/w one is on Tubi.
https://tubitv.com/movies/100011055/scrooge-black-white-version
A bunch of other versions can be found on Tubi.
https://tubitv.com/search/scrooge
https://tubitv.com/search/a%20christmas%20carol
agreed...1951, the best one.
I suggest everyone read the original classic story. Dickens’ thoroughly detailed description of Scrooge is something Scott captured to near perfection. By comparison, Alister Sim’s characterization comes off frail, timid, and completely unintimidating, whose change of heart is anti-climactic.
I grew to hate A Christmas Carol from the fact that EVERY LAST F**KING TV SHOW IN THE 1970s and 1980s had to do their version, followed by the characters all reverting to their former behavior the next week.
George C. Scott was born to play Ebeneezer Scrooge.
Just watched it again this evening like I do every Christmas Eve/Christmas.
Watched it was my oldest who likes to peruse YouTube and knows just about every video on there...he told me the grave for Ebenezer Scrooge is still there. I didn’t know it was filmed on an actual location.
After watching that video about his grave it led me to a location video...town of Shrewsbury. Looks like a wonderful town not yet Islamacized. Back stabbing Starmer will have to get on that.
https://youtu.be/uY8DcAuNkSY?si=-QE92U2GnEDocsaL
Hillsdale College is doing a dissection of a Christmas Carol on their free online courses if anyone is interested. I’m really enjoying it.
I like this version as well, but my wife prefers the Patrick Stewart version.
Yes,the 1951 version with Alistair Sim is the best! Followed by the George C Scott one.
HoneysuckleTN, thanks for links! Very nice of you!
beaversmom, thank you for your links, too! Isn’t Hillsdale wonderful? And what they are doing with their free classes? Great stuff — and great for our country!
Merry Christmas to all!
George C. Scott gives a superior performance as a man force to face his wrongs and his need to repent not the ‘ham hand’ old miser that you almost expect to start yelling, “GET OF MY LAWN”.
Add the cast of David Warner, Frank Finlay, Susannah York, Angela Pleasence and that the historic English city of Shrewsbury in Shropshire was used as a stand in for Loudon you got a GREAT MOVIE!!
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