So Many Christmas Carols!: A Christmas Carol (1984) with George C. Scott

[@Tadicuslegion78]

This is my favorite "Serious Christmas Carol" in part because it's very faithful to the book and George C. Scott crushes it as Scrooge

[@dianataylor5312]

I love them all!!

[@JadedJada]

I think you hit the nail on the head with Scott's portrayal of Scrooge being so much tougher to "crack" than the other Scrooges. For me that's the biggest appeal of him, how restrained and subtle his performance is, that he takes so much of what happens in stride but you can still see that it affects him. And it makes the finale where he finally does break down all the more satisfying. I'm ultimately Team Sim still, because I like the theatrical energy of that movie and perversely, how utterly miserable his Scrooge is. But Scott is still top-tier, because of how different they play it while still making it work. Scott was a Hell of an actor.

[@MFiction60]

So much!

[@anthonyvasquezactor]

The absolute BEST version! Yeah, I said it!

[@MFiction60]

Thank you. I watch every "A Christmas Carol" every year- this year it took a week. Since the 1938 version. The 1984 w/Georgi C. Scott is maybe my favorite, but oh my, you're right. He's a hard nut to crack. When I watch different versions- they're certainly frightened after Marley's visit- but not George C. Scott - lol. I'm enjoying your POV & just found your channel- Bravo. I do recommend to FX 2019 version, I believe, in this time, Dickens would have approved. 🌲🌲🌲🎅🎅🤶🤶🎁🎁🎁🎁🎄🎄🎄

[@anitaarredondo7731]

Best movie ever, with George C Scott

[@ridensroom6957]

Since I was a child I've tried to watch the 84 version every year. Definitely my favourite version. I.even had it on tape growing up

[@ScroogePod]

Probably the most character-driven adaptation of the story. Everyone feels fully realized, even those who only get a single scene to shine.

[@alexanderklepp]

After Michael Caine, George C. Scott is one of my favorite Scrooges. He captured the cold hearted personality of the character well.

[@WaywardAce420]

Muppets Christmas Carol is my favorite version of the story, but George C. Scott is my favorite Scrooge. I love the scene where he is standing behind his younger self, staring his father down, you can see him analyzing everything about his father. I also love the scene with his nephew and his wife, and he says “God forgive me for the time I’ve missed.”

[@dustinwashburn1283]

This has always been my favorite rendition of the story. That scene with the homeless family under the bridge I believe is the point Scrooges change of heart truly starts in this telling as well.

[@Edelweiss-ql3rh]

I agree. See my comment above.

[@theadaptationstationmaster]

I actually think the scene of Scrooge reconciling with his nephew and meeting the nephew's wife improves on the book. It's really powerful seeing this proud man admit he was wrong and heartwarming seeing him and the niece-in-law get along.

[@cromulentwords]

"God forgive me for the time I've wasted." 😢❤

[@boojohn2314]

This version was filmed in my hometown and I grew up walking down those very old streets in the film so it’s pretty special to me , got to be my favourite version

[@MysteriumArcanum]

One of my favorite moments in this version is when The Ghost of Christmas Present rips into Scrooge, not just the part where he uses Scrooge's words against him but he also goes on a tirade about how utterly disgusted he is by Scrooge's selfishness.

[@theautlaw]

I absolutely love it when Edward Woodward just goes off on Scrooge about perhaps I forget basically This child is more worthy than you. It's just the best. I absolutely think that Woodward was the best Christmas present ever, except for maybe the Muppet version that one's really good too but still Woodward wins

[@maxinezook4618]

The future first TV series Equalizer as The Ghost of Christmas Present! You can't beat that 😎🥊

[@MysteriumArcanum]

@@theautlaw yeah, that's the bit I was referring to. And I love how in this version the only reason he leaves Scrooge is because he's absolutely sick of him and has by this point written him off as a lost cause.

[@KTChamberlain]

There are two notable changes from the book to this movie version which I like. One is that Scrooge's nephew Fred actually addresses him as "Uncle Ebenezer" and not "Uncle Scrooge". Yes, I know it was in the book and it definitely worked in Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983) and all, but when I found that out as a kid, I scratched my head at that. Even in the 19th century, who does that? It would be like me calling my mom's brother "Uncle Wood" instead of by his first name. And the other is that Bob Cratchit, his wife, and their sons and daughters don't call Tim...well, "Tiny Tim". Again, I know it was in the book, but it makes much more sense for that poor man's child to be called that by non-family members, including the Narrator. Nicknames like that feel more appropriate in-universe when they're coined by non-family members, giving it an extra dimension to how bleak the Dickensian Era was.

[@Edelweiss-ql3rh]

I like those things too. I always thought "Uncle Scrooge" was weird too. One of my favorite scenes is the one after Tim dies. Bob Cratchit holds his little girl on his lap. It shows the love he has for all of his children and the love of the whole family for each other.

[@philipjohn1254]

The Ghost of Christmas Present scared the bejeezus out of me when I watched this a kid. More than the more traditionally scary Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

[@kelleyceccato7025]

The voice of Christmas Present: "Come in!!" Scrooge, in a confrontational growl: "I intend to." The best ever! I love how unshaken he fights to be, even with Christmas Yet to Come. It's hard to imagine any Scrooge but Scott's complaining that Yet to Come is "devilish hard to have a conversation with."

[@MFiction60]

Very true.

[@jamesrochester2459]

Scott's is both the most genuinely menacing Scrooge and the most charismatic (even before the change)

[@LeBasfondMusic]

Truly? I think this one and the Muppets one are the greatest of all time.

[@Anman999]

I just saw this Christmas Carol last week. I loved it!!

[@289cobra9]

They're all great! Merry Christmas! 🎄⛄

[@charlessegale6493]

One of my personal favorite moments from this version is when Scrooge is watching his stolen things being sold in the Christmas Yet to Come. George C. Scott's full acting range is put on display here. As he goes inside, and watches his possessions being appraised by some stranger, the weight of the knowledge of who that man in that curtain was begins to tell on him. We start with Scrooge being indignant over his stolen things being, well, stolen, but as the scene continues, he grows quiet. Or - more accurately - he stops *talking* and we see his face change. Slowly, then dramatically, he goes from quiet fury to profound sorrow. By the time the old man is fiddling with Scrooge's pocketwatch (complete with thematic leitmotif!), George C. Scott's eyes are brimming with unshed tears. After a few moments, he finally finds his voice again and tries and fails to convince himself that those objects are not his things. Only once he's seen enough does George C. Scott allow Scrooge to chew the scenery and direct hos sorrow and rage at the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come and demand to fund "some tenderness" leading beautifully into the scene with the Cratchits.

[@Ghaleonh41]

Great video as always! One thing to note is that the director worked on the 1951 version & basically set this one up to be a remake.

[@theadaptationstationmaster]

This is one of the only Tiny Tims who actually looks sickly. Yet he's still cute. That's a big part of why this adaptation is my favorite. It's also one of the only ones with a young Scrooge who looks like the old Scrooge.

[@Edelweiss-ql3rh]

I think so too. He is the only one who is actually tiny. Anthony Walters was probably only five or six years old when this was filmed. Most of the other actors playing Tim are too old and too big to be referred to as "tiny".

[@clydenorthrup5484]

Ah yes, the one film snobs will NOT shut up about. But seriously, the one thing I think the film nails is the portrayal of Scrooge and that scene where Christmas Present abandons him to his own misery and he can't deflect or put off facing his own unhappy loneliness. It is a very faithful adaptation but I still prefer the Muppets, but this version earns its reputation. Definitely worth watching once if you haven't yet!

[@Sandlot1992]

the best version of Charles Dickens classic tale and to honor it's 40th Anniversary!

[@RogueT-Rex8468]

This movie is iconic and a favored version. I grew up with it and remember this one specifically for the emotions I felt while watching. It was alien yet familiar and it imprinted on me hard. George c Scott is an astounding actor in everything he did. But boy I’m so sad to hear vandals did that. Fr… just. Sad.

[@TravisWillden-64]

Great job! 👏

[@Corleone1891]

This is far and away the best version

[@jacktoma21]

I like the scene they added to the past of Scrooge getting to see Belle closer to modern day and the happy life he missed out on

[@theadaptationstationmaster]

That's actually not a scene they added. It was in the original book. You should read it sometime. It's great.

[@MrOrcshaman]

Saw this few days ago with my mum, it really holds up as an adaptation, keeping close to the original.

[@theadaptationstationmaster]

This is my favorite Christmas Carol movie and that's saying something because I love a lot of them. For some people, there's one definitive version but for me, there are many that I love to watch. If I had to pick one though, it'd be this one.

[@arthurgodwin6571]

This was the first version of a Christmas Carol I ever saw and the first role I saw George C. Scott in. I match him the closest with the character than any other actor, even seeing him in his other roles like The Changeling or The Exorcist III my mind always goes back to Scrooge. He marvelously captures the beginning vitriol and the transformative joy of Ebenezer. The music is also brilliant, it captures so much dread and terror, the stings cut your nerves like a knife, but the orchestration of the carols is also so joyful. And another thing? The guy who played the ghost of Christmas Future? Bib Fortuna.

[@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94]

I saw a promo to this, it’s looks so good and it is ^^

[@christopherwesterberg8555]

I remember having the VHS of this Film. It was My Mom's Favorite Version of A Christmas Carol

[@draccoonxcii1288]

This one is my favorite version ❤️

[@collinwheeler7016]

I've been waiting for you to cover this one!

[@timothylyons1529]

this one of few version of story that show belle future after she left scrooge and i love how ghost of christmas past is all about the truth sense she saids she brings the light of truth and her finale words she said to scrooge were "truth lives"

[@maxinezook4618]

That was one of the big lessons for sure! He saw his ex-fiancée Belle went on to be happily married to another man & have a big loving family & it made him realize that the true wealth in life isn't how much money you have but how many loved ones & if he had decided to stay with Belle instead of seeking his fortune that Belle's future happy family could have been his own family as well 💖

[@josephlytle1436]

In terms of faithfulness to the spirit of the source material, this is my favorite adaptation of A Christmas Carol, and George C. Scott is my definitive Scrooge.

[@spmscout]

I remember reading the script for this one back in 7th grade English class.

[@Alejandroigarabide]

My favorite version!

[@BryCrowell]

Remember watching this back in 7th grade, when we did A Christmas Carol for English, defiantly the simplest adaptation, and 1 of George C. Scotts highlights of his career, and love the song & the score of God Bless Us Everyone.

[@MrCaptainA]

Suggestions for future “So Many Christmas Carols” videos: 1) The 2020 dance-based version with Simon Russell Beale as the voice of Scrooge 2) The 2009 Disney version with Jim Carrey as Scrooge 3) The 2004 musical version with Kelsey Grammer as Scrooge 4) The 2001 animated version with Simon Callow as Scrooge 5) The 1997 animated version with Tim Curry as Scrooge 6) The 1978 comedy version where Rich Little plays all the characters 7) “Spirited” from 2022 with Will Ferrell as Scrooge 8) “The Man Who Invented Christmas” from 2017 with Christopher Plummer as Scrooge

[@adamsinclair1959]

I love that you’ve posted this now, I was just thinking about how this is probably my favourite non-gimmicky version of the story, maybe even including the book. I rewatched it for the hundredth time with my mum last week, all the changes you mention really did strike me as improvements, more than any of the changes added in other versions. It helps that it’s faithful for the most part, meaning that the changes feel like expansions and adaptations for the medium. In addition to having perhaps the best Scrooge, you really nail how great the ghosts are as well, it’s genuinely hard for me to watch some of the other versions of them now. I love the Patrick Stewart version and consider it second best, but the bland way the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is filmed is just awful after seeing how this version does it. Past and Present are also lesser in that film, Present in particular is so good here with his fiery depiction that the milder versions just feel kind of wrong to me now. Obviously, the book is the ultimate version for establishing the character and story, but I do think that this film takes its themes and just expands upon them in ways that are hard to argue with.

[@peterang78]

I think what I like about the special is it didn't feel like it was going through the notion of adapting the Christmas Carol, but rather it adds and take time developing these scenes and emotions through subtle mean. I like the fact Scrooge doesn't just become sympathetic or feel sorry for Tiny Tim when he sees him during the Ghost of Christmas past part, rather he still acts cocky and blindly arrogant, acting as if everything is seemingly going smoothly, thinking he's not at fault here and everything seem to be going normal. This makes the Ghost of Christmas past resentment toward him feels more justifiable and I like that as the scene goes on, he begins to get more and more irritated and appalled by Scrooge refusal to see any of this as troubling reality. Another part I like was the grave scene. Rather than having Scrooge be tossed into a coffin or having something scary jump at him, they have him beg, plead, and cry, almost feeling like he's finally broken down and realize the reality of it all. And the Ghost of Christmas future, while remaining silent, does subtly shown to be move by pity, based off the fact his hand motion seemingly shook in complete surprise. At the end, instead of cutting to him waking up and acting all jolly that it's over, they cut to him in his bed, recollecting himself until finally thanking them, repenting for what he did and crying about it. This is a great Christmas Carol special and I can see why people would consider it their favorites or very best.

[@jasonregina13]

My favorite tv movie of all time...followed by the Patrick Stewart version.

[@mightyfilm]

All my favorite Christmas Carols are the ones put on by animated characters or puppets. I have nothing but respect for this one, though, but I agree. There isn't much to discuss with something straightforward that doesn't even have some issues with it. All I can say is this is one of the rare times David Warner didn't play a villain. Even in his last, if not one of the last, roles he had in animation was as a bad guy (Dr. Wrecker in Gumball, if you're wondering). Personally, I'll always remember him as Dr. Vic Frankenstein in Toonsylvania and The Lobe in Freakazoid.

[@icecreamsfluffychannel]

Could you take a look at a Christmas Carol adaptation called Boozoos ghosts?

[@Corleone1891]

What a fantastic video essay this is. I highly recommend buying this soundtrack. It is available for purchase on the composer's website. His name is Nick Bicat.

[@mickey2866]

I first saw this version at my school years ago.

[@isaiahgarza87]

For a future entry in this series, I recommend the animated special “Smurfs Christmas Carol” from 2012

[@rosep8481]

George C Scott best Scrooge of all time hands down

[@Moedoodleee]

There’s a KZbin series called the Walten files, they actually did there own spin on a Christmas carol, hope you look into it and great video!

[@poppie267]

This version is my favourite.

[@brianrunyon266]

One of my favorite versions. Am also a fan of the 1999 version with Patrick Stewart in the lead role, a version I highly recommend.

[@eamonclark4952]

Clive Donner the Director of the 1984 version worked with George C Scott on another dickens adaptation Oliver Twist two years earlier in 1982. He also edited the 1951 Alastair Sim version and directed Babes In Toyland (1986)

[@tmamone83]

The George C. Scott version is my second favorite Christmas Carol adaptation next to Muppet Christmas Carol.

[@aidanhever3369]

I can't believe what those savages did to that tombstone. It reminds me of when one of them threw a bucket of paint at a very old painting in a museum.

[@Edelweiss-ql3rh]

I like that they didn't portray Scrooge as a very old man. The life span for men in 1850's England was around 45 years. George C.Scott was 57 and he was not made to look older than that. In some versions Scrooge is made to look like he is in his 70's even if the actor is much younger.

[@poppie267]

George C. Scott is also Percival C. Mcleach.

[@ZeppoThePuppetMan]

An interesting trivia note: This version was directed by the man who edited the Alastair Sim version.

[@general1362]

I know the host said that for the sake of this review he was going to take into account only 'straightforward' versions, without 'gimmicks'. But, sorry, at least for me, the adaptation that best captures the 'spirit' and heartwarming and true joy of Scrooge's final transformation is the gimmickest of them all, The Muppet's Christmas Carol. Of course I admire and contemplate in awe the towering performance of G. C. Scott, but the movie in general doesn't make me tremble with joy and happyness as the Muppets' does. Nevertheless, all who prefer Scott's adaptation have all the good reasons to do so.

[@westongarner-qo2ez]

290th like!👍 Awesome video!🤘 Keep up the awesome work!🤘😎🤘 MERRY CHRISTMAS!🎄🎁 🎅

[@timothylyons1529]

can't wait for year you do 1999 version with patrick steward, 2004 musical version with kelsey grammer, 1997 animated version with tim curry, and 2023 netflix version with luke evan

[@Humbledingify]

Not sure if you've ever seen it, but the Nickelodeon cartoon, "The Loud House", did a Christmas Carol-based episode ("A Flipmas Carol").

[@danielsvetlichny5721]

I hope by next year, you get to talk about A Hearth's Warming Tail from Friendship is Magic. Surely, there is a lot of material for you to cover.

[@matas9458]

Funny you should use describe the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in this version as alien. The actor playing it, Michael Carter, also played Bib Fortuna, Jabba the Hutt’s majordomo, in Return of the Jedi.

[@gmg9010]

Saw this version last year and it was ok in my opinion.

[@tayloredwards4968]

I'm curious what are your thoughts on the book 📖 can you make a video about your thoughts on it

[@Tbone680]

Scrooge vs. The Grinch. It needs to happen

[@maxinezook4618]

I have no doubt that The Grinch was inspired by Scrooge with even Cindy Lou Who being a gender-flipped Tiny Tim 😉

[@OmegaWolf747]

OMG. WTH is wrong with people?! Why do we have to destroy everything?!!! At any rate, this is the version I grew up on as a kid and I have a huge soft spot for it.

[@volzschlittseyxavierkoopa9287]

💜‼️

[@richardb1816]

I believe Scrooge’s grave got restored a few days ago!

[@davidthomas283]

Are you planning to do 1999 with Patrick Stewart?

[@theautlaw]

He could have patted out the video talking about some of the weird facts about the TV movie. Edward Woodward had to wear fake hair on his chest because they didn't think that the Ghost of Christmas present would not be super manly and have lots of chest hair and of course they ripped off lots of skin taking it off everyday. And he had to learn how to walk on stilts which is not easy at all. So that was quite the challenge. I don't know there's more to it, but I can't really remember much about it. There's a whole article online about it somewhere. It's like almost literally a microfiche shot of an article that was written ages ago about it. Unfortunately, I don't remember where

[@brightvulpix6421]

My favorite is the one with Sir Patrick Stewart. His version is very Shakespearean. It’s a big contrast to the campy acting of the other actors.

[@dakotahrednour5245]

There’s also Dora’s Christmas 🎄 Carol adventure.

[@Edelweiss-ql3rh]

I like to think that the day after Christmas Scrooge went and found that homeless family (Ben and Meg and their children.) and gave Ben a job and set them up in a house.

[@jamesrochester2459]

The only thing I don't love about this one is the weird dinosaur noise that Future makes over and over.

[@RAAAHHHH-j8j]

oh hey its the candle cove theme song lyrics guy

[@abramsalinas1004]

There's a lot of them, take your pick. The 1951 "A Christmas carol" is the BEST. The "Scrooge" 1970 is second.

[@theempireeofficial3935]

You gonna watch the Jim Carrey one?

[@axesoccer7887]

The main criticism of this rendition is the laziness of the music department. The song “God Bless Us Everyone!” Is played a total of 13 times in any fashion, averaging once every 7.5 minutes. It’s also the only song that the carolers that are singing in front of the London Exchange are singing.

[@jjmulvaney2758]

Haunt me no longer!

[@charlessegale6493]

One of my personal favorite moments from this version is when Scrooge is watching his stolen things being sold in the Christmas Yet to Come. George C. Scott's full acting range is put on display here. As he goes inside, and watches his possessions being appraised by some stranger, the weight of the knowledge of who that man in that curtain was begins to tell on him. We start with Scrooge being indignant over his stolen things being, well, stolen, but as the scene continues, he grows quiet. Or - more accurately - he stops *talking* and we see his face change. Slowly, then dramatically, he goes from quiet fury to profound sorrow. By the time the old man is fiddling with Scrooge's pocketwatch (complete with thematic leitmotif!), George C. Scott's eyes are brimming with unshed tears. After a few moments, he finally finds his voice again and tries and fails to convince himself that those objects are not his things. Only once he's seen enough does George C. Scott allow Scrooge to chew the scenery and direct hos sorrow and rage at the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come and demand to fund "some tenderness" leading beautifully into the scene with the Cratchits.