Greetings, intrepid readers! M. H. Barton here with another blog post on the art and craft of storytelling. Christmas is almost here, so I thought I’d write up an entry on one of the most lasting Christmas tales of them all – A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It’s one of the most famous stories ever told and continues to endure even today as a true classic. The story has been retold over and over again across different mediums. As such, I thought I’d rank the ten best versions for you to seek out when you find yourself in need of an inspirational Christmas story. Of note, I won’t be including stage adaptations, as those should be considered their own category, but I will consider theatrical films, TV films, shorts, animation, and one little surprise we’ll get to later. I had originally planned to split this entry into two, one for the adaptations of A Christmas Carol and another for the actors playing Ebenezer Scrooge. However, a strong portrayal of Scrooge is so vital to any version of this story that the lists ended up exactly the same overall, so I’ve combined them. Of course, I’ll be looking at all aspects of these adaptations, from acting and faithfulness to the source material to music and effects. Anyway, I’ve rambled enough for now. Let’s get miserly!
Number Ten: A Christmas Carol (1938) starring Reginald Owen
In one of the first modern films depicting this story, Reginald Owen takes the lead as Ebenezer Scrooge. Best known as Admiral Boom in Mary Poppins, Owen puts his character acting chops to good use in turning Scrooge into a pompous blowhard. Though his portrayal seems a bit cartoony with as many serious adaptations as we’ve gotten since then, this version was the foundation on which nearly all future versions would be built. He’s the rock on which this adaptation stands. Sadly, the rest of this film is somewhat barebones, cutting out many thematic elements Dickens intended to be central to the story, landing it at only number ten on this list.
Number Nine: Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol (1962 Animated) starring Jim Backus
This animated Christmas special was the first adaption of A Christmas Carol specifically marketed for children. Though Backus’ Mr. Magoo is typically a kind (and blind) old man, the frame story of Magoo playing Scrooge in a play works well and would later be used by others in their own adaptations. While Magoo himself does well as a curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge, this version suffers from it being a musical. I’ve never been a fan of musical versions of A Christmas Carol, largely because it destroys the pace. Dickens crafted a novella that’s an absolute masterclass in pacing a story, keeping things slow and foreboding one minute before moving the action right along to the next important scene. This is a perfectly paced story in all regards, and inserting songs every so often runs contrary to that. That said, this is a strong version nonetheless. Despite a few liberties taken with the source material and the order of events, it’s an excellent introduction to this classic story for kids.
Number Eight: Scrooged (1988) starring Bill Murray
So, this one is probably the most unique entry on this list, as it’s a modern reimagining of A Christmas Carol. Instead of Scrooge, Bill Murray plays Frank Cross, a slimy, ambitious TV executive who plans a live performance of A Christmas Carol on his station for Christmas Eve. This version is also one of the few comedic takes on the tale, though the laughs are appropriately dark, given the sheer callousness of Cross. This one isn’t my personal favorite, but it’s a version beloved by many, and I give it a lot of credit for successfully trying something new and different. The parallels between the pressures of modern Corporate America and Scrooge’s obsession with work and accumulating wealth are strikingly effective. While the humor may not be for everyone, this is a smart adaptation well worth a viewing. Sadly, I do fear that Murray’s Frank Cross is the Scrooge on this list most likely to revert to his old ways at some point, but that’s neither here nor there. Scrooged is a worthy reimagining of the Dickens classic.
Number Seven: The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) starring Michael Cain
If the dark humor of Scrooged isn’t your thing, what about the zaniness of Kermit and the Muppets? Jim Henson’s creations have a long history of doing their own versions of books and movies, but this one might be their most famous adaptation. There is a lot of good here in this version, namely in the faithfulness to the source material. Outside of the typical Muppet antics, the actual sequence of events is surprisingly on point. The Muppets are also perfectly cast, with Kermit and Miss Piggy as the Cratchits, Statler and Waldorf as Jacob (and Robert) Marley, and Gonzo narrating as Charles Dickens himself. This version does have two weaknesses, however. One, it’s a musical, which I’ve previously discussed my aversion to. But bigger than that is the one human actor – Michael Cain as Ebenezer Scrooge. Michael Cain is a transcendent actor, to be sure, but I just don’t find him a believable Scrooge. He’s too likable and not mean enough, even though he tries his best. Cain does an admirable job, but I’m always well aware that I’m watching Michael Cain playing Scrooge rather than being immersed in the story of Scrooge himself. All the same, this is an excellent version that was the first for many children of my generation. My first version was different, though. More on that later.
Number Six: A Christmas Carol (1938 Radio Drama) starring Orson Welles
Bet you weren’t expecting a radio drama, were you? The CBS Radio Network had a tradition of airing this iconic story from 1934 through 1953. While the performance was usually given by actor Lionel Barrymore, one of the only times he couldn’t was in 1938 when he fell ill. In response, CBS made the brilliant decision to enlist one of the most iconic baritone voices of all time – Orson Welles. I had no idea until a few weeks ago that this even existed, but listening to Welles read A Christmas Carol is simply incredible. The voice, the cadence, the emotion, it’s all perfect. Seriously, if you’re in the mood for a different experience with this story, give this one a listen. It’s well worth it.
Number Five: A Christmas Carol (2009 Animated) starring Jim Carrey
Disney took a big risk in making this CGI film version and an even bigger risk in casting Jim Carrey not only as Scrooge but also as the three Ghosts of Christmas. Yet crazy enough, Carrey has the range to not only make it work but make it something all his own in the process. The rest of the cast is very strong, as well, including Gary Oldman as both Bob Cratchit and Jacob Marley and Colin Firth as Fred. I’ll give Disney credit, they swung for the fences in casting and knocked it out of the park. The direction is also solid, as this is one of the most faithful adaptations of the story out there. So, why is it only number five? Simply put, the GCI and motion capture effects were too distracting for many audiences, resulting in animated characters that looked too uncanny to be believable. The graphics were revolutionary at the time, but it was the one area where, to quote Ian Malcolm, the studio kept asking if they could and didn’t bother to ask if they should. All the same, this adaptation succeeds on so many levels.
Number Four: A Christmas Carol (1999) starring Patrick Stewart
Based on Patrick Stewart’s popular one-man show A Christmas Carol, this adaptation was clearly crafted with faithfulness in mind. It’s easily the most faithful to the original novel of any version I’ve found. It's the only one to include a few rare scenes, such as the Ghost of Christmas Present’s whirlwind and the young couple indebted to Scrooge after his death. The tone and setting are also appropriately dark, making the London of this version one of the dreariest of all. It’s an excellent adaptation but is held back by one thing – Patrick Stewart. I know, it’s blasphemy, but hear me out! Stewart is an incredible actor with an unbelievable career. He’s iconic, and that’s the problem. He’s too iconic, particularly as a heroic actor. It’s hard to imagine a man known for his portrayals of morally incorruptible characters as Ebenezer Scrooge, no matter how strong his acting chops might be. Hell, I kept expecting Data to show up and end this Holodeck simulation or Storm to enter the Danger Room. Stewart plays Scrooge well, particularly in the beginning, where he’s a downright evil bastard, but I just wasn’t sold on him throughout. The finale also felt more awkward to me than triumphant, which left an odd taste in my mouth. Still, this version does so many things right, and I can definitely see why many think of this one as the best adaptation around.
Number Three: Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983 Animated) starring Alan Young
Ah, so many good memories of this version. For me and many others of my generation, this was our introduction to A Christmas Carol. It’s the best kids’ version in my mind, using the right balance of softening some intense things while still communicating the ghost story tone of the original story. It’s also the shortest entry on this list, clocking in at a mere twenty-six minutes, but I don’t feel it’s harmed by the run time. Though some events are shortened or omitted, the level of faithfulness in this short special is quite remarkable. But best of all is the casting. Mickey is a wonderfully humble Bob Cratchit, and is there a more natural choice for Ebenezer than Scrooge McDuck himself? In fact, this outing served as Alan Young’s audition to be the permanent voice of Scrooge, which he was for over thirty years after this featurette. Though short, this gem is funny at the right moments, scary at others, and always charming and spirited. Not to mention that my two-year-old LOVED his first viewing of it last year!
Number Two: A Christmas Carol (1951) starring Alastair Sim
You probably knew this one would be somewhere near the top of the list. Considered by many to be the definitive adaptation, Alastair Sim’s career was largely made and defined by his emotional portrayal of Scrooge. Sim effortlessly glides around the range of Scrooge’s feelings, reacting to every event exactly as one would hope from the famous miser. More than almost any other entry on this list, this film is dark and grimy throughout, leaning hard into the tale as a creepy ghost story. The fact that it’s a black-and-white classic helps with this, and the movie’s tone is far different in the colorized versions. More than anything, this adaptation has one of the most satisfying redemption scenes in the series, something that is difficult to do well. A timeless classic if there ever was one.
Before our top pick, let’s do a few…
Honorable Mentions
A Christmas Carol (1971 Animated) starring Alastair Sim
This half-hour animated short was produced by legendary animator Chuck Jones and once again headlined by Sim. Though not as transcendent as Sim’s original outing as Scrooge, this is still a wonderfully faithful adaptation. It even won the 1972 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film!
Ms. Scrooge (1997) starring Cecily Tyson
This film reimagining was created for USA Network and features a Black female lead named Ebenita Scrooge. It's an impressive modern twist that masterfully weaves racial tensions into the story, along with a healthy dose of religious imagery. Though not frequently aired, it's worth a watch for fans of A Christmas Carol.
Scrooge, or, Marley’s Ghost (1901) starring Daniel Smith
This silent film was the one that started it all, the first recorded film version of the Dickens classic. Though it’s only a little over six minutes long, it truly was the first brick to be laid back in the day. Moreover, it even managed some revolutionary special effects for its time, such as Marley’s face superimposed on the door knocker.
Finally, it’s time for…
Number One: A Christmas Carol (1984) starring George C. Scott
This is it, the ultimate Christmas movie, the one my wife and I always watch on Christmas Eve right before going to bed. While it takes a couple of liberties, all the major plot points are there, with some delicious additions to Scrooge’s past besides. With respect to Alastair Sim, George C. Scott truly is the ultimate Ebenezer Scrooge. He’s cold, callous, apathetic, and ruthless. This is one of the few adaptations to show Scrooge actually doing business in a scene where he bullies his customers into accepting his inflated price for corn. Scott’s Scrooge is truly masterful, not just in how he treats others, but in our understanding of why he does so. He looks at the world around him and thinks, “My God, this world is full of lazy, wasteful idiots! I must be the only sane man on Earth!” But beyond Scott, the ghosts in this version are spectacular. Jacob Marley’s literal jaw-dropping entrance always sticks with me, Past is equal parts sweet and sarcastic, and Present delights in luring Scrooge into traps with his own words in order to lecture him. And Yet to Come? Holy crap, this is easily the scariest version of the final ghost I’ve ever seen. Best of all is Scrooge’s interactions with the ghosts. In some versions, Scrooge clearly changes much earlier in the story, with the final ghost only cementing things, but not in this one. Scrooge is constantly bargaining and reasoning, trying to explain things away even to the ghosts themselves. They, in turn, antagonize him further, often appearing to enjoy the uncomfortable lessons Scrooge must learn. Where other versions’ ghosts are sometimes flat, boring apparitions, these ghosts are the perfect foils to Scrooge’s stubborn realism. All of these things combine into the most beautiful and satisfying redemption for any version of A Christmas Carol, in my humble opinion. If I had any complaint about this adaptation, it would be Tiny Tim’s awful makeup job, but other than that, this is the perfect rendition of the Dickens classic, and nobody will ever convince me otherwise.
And that’s going to do it for this ranking. As you can tell, A Christmas Carol is among my favorite holiday stories and one I love studying at any opportunity. Of course, this was merely my opinion. I’d like to know what you think. Any good versions I missed? Feel free to let me know in the comments or reach out directly, especially if you have any ideas or requests for future entries. I’ve got an active running list of ideas, but I’m always open to more. I’d appreciate it if you’d leave a like and share this post on social media. And to stay up to date on future blog posts, you can sign up for my monthly newsletter on my website. Until the next story!
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