With the countdown to Christmas well and truly on its way, we have decided to task X-Geek Ben with putting together the list of his best adaptions of Charles Dickens’s classic Christmas story, A Christmas Carol.
While there have been numerous adaptions over the years, both bad and good, what makes the best adaptions stand out from the rest?
I can safely say there are some classic versions in this top five, and I am confident that there will be plenty of discussion in regard to what will be crowned as the best adaption of all time… be prepared for some Christmas controversy!
So without further delay, let the countdown begin!
5 – A Christmas Carol The Musical (2004)
Full of banger after banger, A Christmas Carol The Musical is overflowing with so many incredible songs! While the production is VERY ‘made for American television’, there is a charm about it. Kelsey Grammer really turns up the performance to eleven as only he can and the addition of the amazing Jane Krakowski as the Ghost of Christmas Past was a masterstroke.
I still feel that not enough people are aware of this version and if you are one of them, I highly recommend you check it out for yourself.
4 – Scrooged (1988)
Another parody adaption in the top five? Well, with Bill Murray’s performance in Scrooge it was always going to be there.
A modern (at the time) take on the classic story sees Bill Murray as a high-powered TV executive tasked with overseeing a live broadcast of A Christmas Carol. At this point in his career, Murray is in his pomp, producing an outlandish and yet at times humble performance.
The film is very much more of a dark comedy but still feels right at home as a classic Christmas movie. Oh, and it contains one of the greatest Christmas Carol lines of all time… “the b**h hit me with a toaster” – Genius!
3 – Scrooge (1970)
Leslie Bricusse’s script and songwriting put the 1970 musical adaptation, starring Albert Finney, well and truly placed in the top 3!
Bricusse’s songs are iconic, and with amazing offerings such as ‘Thank You Very Much’ destined to stay stuck in your heads for the entire Christmas period, it is no wonder this adaption is well-loved by so many. It manages to mix story and songs seamlessly and Finney’s performance is one of the best portrayals of Ebenezer Scrooge to date.
In terms of artistic licence, I feel this is the adaption that goes the most ‘off script’ and the results are… memorable. From Alec Guinness’s uber-camp Jacob Marley to the downright bizarre bondage hell scene, it really goes to some very interesting places that really make Scrooge such a memorable watch!
2 – The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992)
For many of us, it just isn’t Christmas without watching The Muppets Christmas Carol.
Following the death of Jim Henson, his son Brian made his directorial debut with The Muppets Christmas Carol. Despite a large majority of the cast being puppets, with added comedy and musical numbers, the story does follow very closely to the source material. For many children, this was their introduction to the story of A Christmas Carol, as it was mine when I was a child.
As this was my first entry into this well-loved story, I was confused when I watched my next version as there was only one Jacob Marley! While mainly aimed at children, there is plenty of classic Muppets adult humour in there for good measure, and with the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, some darker moments amongst the warmth and the songs.
1 – A Christmas Carol (1999)
A controversial pick for number one? But if you haven’t seen it then I am confident that a can justify its place in this top five!
This made-for-TV movie sees Patrick Stewart as Ebenezer Scrooge and Richard E. Grant as Bob Cratchit, both of whom are perfectly cast in their respective roles and also have great on-screen chemistry.
This traditional adaption ticks all the boxes with everything you could want from A Christmas Carol. It manages to perfectly blend the warmth and the darker moments of the story, while at the same time giving a refreshing gloss to this well-known tale.
Stewart is superbly dramatic and humorous, elevating every scene he is in. It has a stage production feel to it, which somehow makes the film more engaging. The film also plays with just enough artistic licence to do its own thing that it truly stands out as the ultimate adaption of Charles Dickens’s classic Christmas story.
So there you have it. My top five picks for A Christmas Carol! Think I’ve got it wrong? Tell us your favourite version in the comments.
P.S Merry Christmas
X-Geeks 