What is the Best Version of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"?

[Cyropaedia]

OK Gang, What is, in your opinion, the finest version of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"? It can be a TV, Movie, or animated version.

[kedd]

The Alastair Sim version is by far the finest. There's an older version that starred Reginald Owen but it cannot compare. I was not very fond of the George C. Scott version. It just didn't seem to suit him. I have the Alastair Sim version and make it a point to watch it at least once every year.

[dawn53]

That's my favorite too! (the Muppet Christmas Carol)

[Republican Wildcat]

Always looking for good Christmas music -- thanks for the suggestion. By the way, I just got this one myself and I highly recommend it. It is simply awesome. Not a bad song on the whole thing: Christmas Spirit

[VRWCmember]

1. The Muppet Christmas Carol -- Michael Caine as Scrooge.

2. Rich Little's Christmas Carol -- Little's impersonations of WC Fields as Scrooge, Richard Nixon as Marley, Johnny Carson as Scrooge's nephew were some of the more memorable moments.

3. Bill Murray's "Scrooged" was also a classic.

[OpusatFR]

Alister Sim in "Scrooge."

That, makes my Christmas.

[fastattacksailor]

The 1951 (?) version with Alistair Sim

[Alberta's Child]

The old Alistair Sim version is definitely the best of them all.

[TheCornerOffice]

OK Gang, What is, in your opinion, the finest version of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"?

My family watched the version with George C. Scott on TV 20 years ago and fell in love with it. We eagerly watched for it each year on TV and finally bought a video of it when available.

Every year now, we all gather around for another showing, usually followed immediately by the Muppet version.

If you have not yet seen the 1984 Scott version, it is well worth getting -- I just found it available in VHS or DVD on Amazon by searching those categories with "Christmas Carol Scott". Enjoy!

[Jackknife]

"The TV version with George C. Scott."

I agree.

[wordsofearnest]

I second that motion. It rings as the most authentic. I watched about 10 minutes of Kelsey Grammer. I'm not partial to musicals.

[Burr5]

Second that! George C Scott. I believe it was a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. FAR superior to the Patrick Stewart remake (and I'm a Trekkie!).

[Uncle Hal]

The one with George C. Scott is the best. It came out 10 to 15 years ago and has been repeated on TV several times.

[Varda]

"Michael Caine as Scrooge!"

Seriously, George C. Scott and Patrick Stewart both give good performances in this role but Michael Caine's performance smokes 'em.

[repubzilla]

I don't know...I really like classic movies...but there is something about the Patrick Stewart version that my wife and I really like. He does a great job...especially towards the end, when he has his "conversion" well done!!

[Maigret]

Thank you for the music suggestion, that looks very good!

[Twinkie]

The one in my head the first time I read it.
I did enjoy seeing the different dramatizations of it. Kelsey Grammer did a good job, but I didn't picture them singing in my head version.

[tiamat]

ROFLMAO!

YOUR post describing the Albert Fnney "Scrooge" cracks me up.

Thank you.

[BibChr]

The English version with Alstair Sim has always been my favorite. Maybe because of my age

No. It's because it is the best. I only wish they could do something about the soundtrack, so that so much of it didn't sound as if it had been recorded in an empty shower.

But it is the best, and Sim is Scrooge like Connery is Bond.

Dan

[tiamat]

I did NOt get to se the Kelsey Grammer one.

How was that?

[BibChr]

I agree! The Magoo is a surprisingly good telling. And I also agree that the Muppet version is far better than one might have feared.

Worst: Patrick Stewart and George C. Scott versions.

Dan