The Muppet Christmas Carol - MOVIE REACTION!!

[@BlindWave]

Enjoy Blind Wave's daily content? GO BEYOND with Blind Wave BEYOND at blindwave.com where you can watch Full Length and 4 WEEKS Early Access!! BEYOND members and Raw Rider Patrons can watch the Full Length Reaction HERE: blindwave.com/video/the-muppet-christmas-carol-movie-full/

[@Christian-g6q]

Love your outfits😊

[@aaron8409]

I love that Calvin is the one who watches this every year and he's still the one who needed tissues.

[@ryuhitsuya21]

Pavlovian Sadness

[@TheArgiShow]

I've watched it every year since it came out on VHS, and still tear up every time!😅

[@Freshwater121]

“Who did NOT die!” is one of my favorite line deliveries in film.

[@BrowneePointz]

Fun fact: it's actually notated like that IN the Novella. So Gonzo was just doing as written.

[@brianwagner9460]

​@BrowneePointz I just learned this!!

[@arashimiyazawa8165]

@@BrowneePointz And wasn't in the original manuscript, but was added during printing. One can imagine him spitefully adding the line because editors kept harassing him about TIny Tim :D

[@fancyteachermichelle]

Somthing that really gets overlooked is how beautiful the costuming is...even on the muppets. The historic accuracy and details are INSANE! Case in point rizzo shirt in the opening has hand stitching and is a very specific type of shirt worn by mercheants in this time period. Again hand stitching for a top worn by a muppet for the first few minutes!

[@ser132]

Abby Cox, I think it is, has a fantastic video discussing how beautifully detailed, and accurate the costuming is

[@Emrys91]

I think it's the ONLY adapation to inclued the lacey frilly thing on Clara's hair

[@slytheringingerwitch]

@@ser132 Yes, she is so passionate about how good the costuming is.

[@Tconlon251_2]

@@slytheringingerwitchAnd I think one of the top comments on that video is from one of the movie’s costume designers

[@evanmagura2296]

The beauty of Michael Caine’s performance was he treated it like he was working on a classic film not a kid’s movie

[@Tao_Tology]

This IS a classic film. 😏👍🏻

[@christopherwall2121]

That was also the idea behind the script and the production design.

[@jacktease27]

And he played it straight like he wasn't acting with muppets

[@lvfd6117]

My favorite breakdown of why these work so well was Michael cane treated every Muppet like a real actor and for treasure island tim curry treated himself like a muppet

[@halnyx7488]

I honestly feel like in any media with a narrative that's usually what tends to stand the test of time; Not to demean it's audience, but also not to completely be rid of the lighthearted content that still makes it enjoyable for all ages.

[@DanGamingFan2406]

Michael Caine famously told them outright behind the scenes that he was going to take this role as seriously as if he were acting against real people instead of puppets, and that's the beautyof why this movieworks so well. He also, always really wanted to play Scrooge regardless of the context, and you can tell he gives it his all.

[@watershipup7101]

That part of what makes the Muppets in general so great. Caine worked with them brilliantly.

[@lighttheshadowreaper5102]

He also said he initially considered the role because his daughter was too young to watch the things he was currently in. Then it became his favorite role ever.

[@Olochgu]

I love how the spectrum of amazing actors in Muppets films goes from Tim Curry essentially pretending he is a Muppet himself and giving it the same energy, to Michael Caine treating it like the most serious drama he was ever in.

[@lighttheshadowreaper5102]

@@Olochgu The point of the matter is: They treated the puppets as peers. Whether that be holding them in esteem, or behaving as one of them. Most other celebrities who've worked with them tend to just sit down, smile whimsically, and then collect their cameo check. Those two not only understood the assignment, but aced the course!

[@Emrys91]

Michael treated the muppets as if they where humans. Tim Curry treated them as if HE too was a muppet

[@atari303]

"Light the lamp, not the rat.....LIGHT THE LAMP, NOT THE RAT!"....Rizzo is the best lmao

[@JournoNerd312]

Losing Rizzo for more recent Muppet movies honestly makes them unquestionably worse. Wish they'd find someone to voice Rizzo with the falling out between the Muppets and Rizzo's old voice/puppet actor. Him and Gonzo being the two narrators of the movie here and then being main characters in Muppet Treasure Island are why those are by far the best two Muppet movies ever.

[@erinmccabe1984]

Yep!!

[@spaceshiplewis]

​@@JournoNerd312Yeah the Muppets are NOT the puppeteers. Kermit and Jim Henson are two different people, same with Miss Piggy and Frank Oz.

[@Nastyn1nja808]

i laughed so much! i miss the .Muppets theres been a string of reactions im so happy!

[@briandalke5946]

Regarding the mention of actors directly interacting with the Muppets like they were real, Danny Trejo told a story how he was working on a Muppet movie (Muppets Most Wanted I believe) when his mother died. He deeply loved his mother, but he had a reputation so he made a point of putting on a brave face and telling everyone he was fine. Then Kermit offered his condolences and he completely broke down, pouring out his grief and getting comfort from a piece of fabric. Which just shows how deep of an impact the Muppets have had on people's lives. Also saw a clip of Kermit doing interviews of people on the red carpet at an award show (naturally can't find it now). He was with the guy who normally does the red carpet interviews, but every people was just laser focused on Kermit. At one point the host wondered why he was even there since everyone only wanted to talk to Kermit.

[@cofreak101]

One of my favorite nods that gets overlooked is that, because there are 2 Marleys in this adaptation, one is named Jacob (from the book) and the other is Robert aka Bob Marley.

[@nathangonzalez9710]

And the boxes with him definitely are Wailing. So they are Wailers.

[@DanGamingFan2406]

I totally get it, Calvin. I've watched this movie every year for almost a deccade, and I still get teary-eyed whenever Robin the Frog as Tiny Tim is on screen.

[@tgiacin435]

Honestly I get more teary eyed at the puppet frog dying than the idea of an actual kid dying. But I think it’s because Tiny Tim is such a particular character that it’s hard to have a child so young be so wise beyond his years. That and Kermit’s little speech feels more impactful if you imagine he was saying this about Jim

[@mckenzie.latham91]

Apparently Michael cain got really emotional from the song “Bless us one and all” and so when it shows his reactions in the scene you can see it on his face i also love Bob’s line “life is made up of meetings and partings that is the way of it.”

[@SkillsLoading]

I have two Christmas traditions regarding this movie. Firstly, late November when I make Christmas puddings for friends and family I have the soundtrack on. Second, whenever I do the Christmas wrapping I put the film on.

[@FarmHandJoe]

U are everywhere.

[@JHarris533]

12:12 - this is exactly what Caine told the producers he would do: " play this movie like I'm working with the Royal Shakespeare Company." Also Caine took the role because some of his friends ( Roger Moore, John Cleese, Peter Sellers etc.) had all featured in the muppets over recent years and said it was the most fun they had had filming a movie, and after it wrapped Caine too agreed it was as brilliant production to be part of.

[@bromodragone8405]

Roger Moore? I don't remember him ever guest appearing on The Muppets.

[@lennonmahoney7302]

I believe his grandchildren were also a reason. He hadn't done a film suitable to introduce them to at the time, so he saw this as a perfect opportunity and loved every single moment.

[@ser132]

@@bromodragone8405 he was in an episode of The Muppet Show: season 5 episode 24

[@bromodragone8405]

@@ser132 ok

[@anndruh]

I have NEVER in my six years of visiting this channel clicked so fast. LIGHT THE LAMP NOT THE RAT

[@DanGamingFan2406]

22:01 Fun Fact: Belle was originally going to sing a song here called "When Love Is Gone" about how she and Scrooge had drifted apart. Micheal Caine tries to join her at one point before breaking down in tears. It's still available in some versions, and I prefer keeping it in because the scene moves a bit too fast without it. Plus, the cut to Rizzo crying makes more sense with it.

[@tgiacin435]

I’m just glad they have the complete version on Disney +

[@Mrfrerob]

Deeper cut, they filmed it and added it in for the Home release. That’s why it has such a cult following. Disney “lost” the master for the footage of the song and only recently “found” it. Brian was very upset Eisner wanted it cut because the song “When Love is Gone” plays counterpoint to the end song Scrooge sings, “When Love is Found”. It should be included going forward. Edit: it was Katzenberg not Eisner who made them cut it. IMDB has some info on it.

[@mnomadvfx]

@@Mrfrerob "counterpoint to the end song Scrooge sings, “When Love is Found”" It's actually "The Love We Found". Hopefully if DIsney ever releases this film on 4K Bluray it will include both versions.

[@Mrfrerob]

@@mnomadvfx I agree my family would love to move up from the VHS 😂

[@tsrgoinc]

Incorrect Fact. The song actually WAS in the original theatrical, at least in the UK, and video releases. It was only in the first DVD release that they cut the song on the original pretext that it spoiled the pacing but then admitted it was because it was considered too depressing by some but it truly affects the impact of the film by removing it.

[@seamusburke639]

It really says something about how long Michael Caine's been in the acting game when the 60 year old version seen here is considered "young."

[@mamluk]

Interesting fact: This is VERY historically accurate.

[@nathangonzalez9710]

They got a reward from the UK Royal Historical Society for it. They mentioned the costumes in preticular.

[@gabriellafreund3793]

Michael Caine told Brian Henson, "I'm going to do this like I'm in the Royal Shakespeare Company."

[@DanGamingFan2406]

This is still my favorite adaptation of the story. Lots of lines from the book, amazing set pieces and puppetry, Micheal Caine's great, and the future scenes hit hard.

[@mckenzie.latham91]

I like the George c scott and Patrick stewart ones the best but this is always one of my favourite adaptions and it captures a good deal of the themes Dickens was going for “Ebenezer scrooge” and “Marley and marley” have some of the best lines I have ever heard to describe what dickens was saying with having compassion for mankind.

[@doodoo5594]

this is both my favourite adaptation and my favourite christmas movie

[@FarmHandJoe]

I'm starting to think you are not a real person.

[@outlanderfrog]

Also some of the most historically accurate costumes! On PUPPETS, mind you.

[@mckenzie.latham91]

“As freedom comes form giving love, so prison comes with hate” “Doomed scrooge, you’re doomed for all time, your future is a horror story written by your crimes. Your chains are forged, by what you say and do, so have you're fun when life is done, a nightmare waits for you!” Marvellous dialogue.

[@JeM130177]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone go in not knowing it has Michael Caine as Scrooge! What a great moment! Eric, I’m sad you’ve never seen these movies before but…I’m very happy I get to watch you watch them 😂

[@escalatortonowhere]

I love how seriously Michael Caine approached this role and gave it his all and for how much regard he still holds for this movie. In an interview he said he chose this role so his 7yo daughter had a movie she could watch him in and i think that shows. This movie is born out of love by everyone involved, love for family, love for Jim, and love for the magic of being together.

[@melman]

The Moment where Kermit is singing with Tim on his shoulder is actually one of the dopest basslines ever.

[@shavagreycastle]

One reason this film is so important to the Muppets and their fans in general is that it's the first one that was produced and released after Jim Henson's death. Scrooge's journey of redemption and living one's life full of love, Kermit's speech about meetings and partings; it feels like the Muppet Crew allowing us to be a part of their grieving process and celebrate Jim's legacy. 13:25 one of the running gags on the original Muppets show was that Statler and Waldorf (the Muppets who play the Marleys) would attend the show and heckle. They especially had it out for Fozzie Bear. 19:15 For a bit of further context, this Muppet is Sam the Eagle and he is AMERICAN. But SOPHISTICATED.

[@CelebrimborCurufinwe]

Don't know if anyone's already mentioned it, but in the book its said that Scrooge's father didn't really like him, and would never allow him to come home from boarding school during Christmas, which was part of what soured him from an early age.

[@ConstantineFurman]

Yeah, Ebenezer's mother died giving birth to him and his father blamed him for her death... And then the same thing happened with Scrooge's sister and Fred... and how Scrooge felt about Fred.

[@jmurray2018]

Your audience didn’t let me down as I expected to see the same comments as featured in all reactions to our movie. Michael Caine Played it straight = ✅ Michael Caine wanted to be in a Movie that his grand children could watch =✅ There is a song cut from the movie (When love is gone)as it was deemed to heavy for children, and affected the pacing = ✅ Most of the lines are as written in the book = ✅ The Costumes from the time period are 100% Authentic = ✅ No doubt if I scroll down I’ll see all those familiar comments, proving how much loved this movie is. On a personal level Grover is one of my favorite muppets (From a personal bias, of course)and Animal (based on “The Who’s”Keith Moon) Anyway thank you for reacting to our wonderful much loved movie.

[@TheAbominableDrFaustus]

“He was a tight fisted hand at the grindstone Scrooge. A squeezing, wrenching, scraping, grasping, clutching, covetous old sinner. Hard and sharp as a flint from which no steel had ever produced generous fire. He was secret and self contained; and as solitary as an oyster.”

[@TheUltraYusuf]

YAYYY the best version of Christmas Carol!! The Muppets are incredible, we need way more Muppets movies!!

[@mamluk]

Its a toss up for me. Between this one and the one with Sir Patrick Steward playing Scrooge

[@bro.b.i.b.4248]

People go on about Michael Caine’s performance and how straight he plays it. The truth of the matter is that it takes a great comedic mind to understand that the straighter and more grounded one is in this situation, the funnier the results will be in the end. Also, that shouldn’t overshadow the acting of the Muppet performers. Not only are they all playing multiple characters (Steve Whitmire played Kermit AND Rizzo), but they have to convey emotions through their arms and hands rather than their entire body. Only a truly skilled performer can do that.

[@ericb9252]

Michael Caine treated the muppets as fellow actors. Tim Curry treated himself as a fellow muppet.

[@Kairamek]

That is the most succinct way I've seen this idea written.

[@benwalker27]

But think this story is 181 years old, and yet it still resonates today and has definitely stood the test of time.

[@johnnysparkle]

Originally, the three ghosts that visit Scrooge were to have been played by Miss Piggy, Scooter, and Gonzo (the last of the three as "The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come" - with only his nose sticking out of his dark hood). But the writers wanted to use those Muppets far more in the story than simply using them as the Ghosts would have allowed for, and as they started doing a more straight adaptation of the story, it became apparent that having pre-existing characters in the roles would cause the Ghosts to be a lot less ominous and thus cause the more serious moments to lose weight, they decided to make completely new puppets for the roles. Unfortunately, they could not find a way to put Scooter in the film, so he is left out entirely.

[@EntertainmentFan11]

I figured it was because of Richard Hunt's passing that Scooter was absent from this and Muppet Treasure Island.

[@outlanderfrog]

​@@EntertainmentFan11Indeed. The same reason Rowlf doesn't speak in this. Both of those characters are essentially Richard and Jim's real voices.

[@EntertainmentFan11]

@@outlanderfrog Rowlf was still in this movie and Muppet Treasure Island despite being mute, though, unlike Scooter who was absent completely.

[@outlanderfrog]

@@EntertainmentFan11 Fair. Maybe because Richard's passing was more recent, and Scooter is very much a version of him. IMO the same would have happened to Kermit if he wasn't such an anchor character for the whole Muppet brand.

[@anthonyhudak9363]

42:30 In the book, it's just Jacob Marley. Here we have him and Robert Marley. Very recently I realized (more recent than I'd like to admit) that they made it Robert for a little Bob Marley joke

[@HiddenWindshield]

47:11 Fun fact: During the production of Jurassic Park, whenever they were shooting a scene with animatronic dinosaurs, they'd keep the dinosaurs active and looking around between takes, just to avoid reminding the actors that they weren't real.

[@Version0111]

19:41 I just read the book a couple days ago so I never knew until this moment what a perfect coincidence it is that this character's name in the book was Mr. Fezziwig.

[@babybear9443]

This has a special place in my heart. My sister is Autistic and she struggles to watch movies with other people. This is one of very very few exceptions. It's our Christmas Eve film. We all get to sit and enjoy a film together. It makes Christmas for me.

[@Mansplainer2099-jy8ps]

_"He reminds me of Hagrid."_ Wait until you see Black Adder's Christmas Carol.

[@dandydeadpool]

The best way I've ever seen it put is that Michael Caine treated the Muppets as fellow actors, and Tim Curry treated himself as a fellow Muppet and that's why their movies work so well

[@Techno963]

Eric's sweater was staring into my soul during the entire reaction

[@ManateeSmuggler]

6:06 the shot of Scrooge’s feet walking down the street and then panning up to muppets singing helps solidify the suspension of disbelief. “That’s a real street with muppet actors; not a platform with puppeteers underneath.”

[@cyberdragon451]

"A place of joy and laughter... thank you for bringing me hear," that is such a powerful and sad line when Scrouge says that to Christmas yet to come.

[@randalsspinkle]

14:46 surprised that Calvin didn't catch the Doctor Who reference. Rizzo is dressed in a striped scarf, wearing a long coat, and pulls a bag of jelly (beans) out of his pocket. Also at the end of the film, there is a store called "Micklewhites" which is actual Michael Caine's family name.

[@miketwiddy]

Damn the Micklewhite's thing is the one I like to point out; you beat me to it!

[@catdragon2584]

The Marley brothers are played in this movie by Statler and Waldorf, two curmudgeonly muppets who would sit in the box and boo the other muppets on The Muppet Show. One of the guys saying they should be reactors is funny to me because they were the OG reactors 😂

[@joevictor53]

I love seeing Eric falling in love with the movie as soon as the first song starts. I really wish they could've watched the full version but I'm glad they still watched Belle's song at the end. Damn you Jeffrey Katzenberg for forever ruining that part of the movie! Also the shop they talk about at 34:25 says Statler and Waldorf, the names of the two old guy Muppets that heckle people who play the Marleys in this movie

[@EmilyAster]

High five to Calvin, I've also watched this movie yearly with my family as a tradition and it's one of my huge favorites!! Michael Caine plays the role as serious as a heart attack and it's all the better for it, fantastic work all around though.

[@jenk4545]

Re: Scrooge's childhood and homelife, it wasn't great. His father sent him off to school and he was not allowed to come home for several years. He had a sister who loved him very much and eventuality convinced their dad to let him come home. That sister is his nephew's mother, and Scrooge took her death very hard - which is one of the reason he keeps his nephew at a distance.

[@TheRagzzz]

I like how you segwayed into Muppet Treasure Island at the end....curse of the black spot!

[@Kevmaster2000]

That was a Doctor Who reference

[@TheRagzzz]

@@Kevmaster2000 Never read Treasure Island then?

[@finncullen]

@@Kevmaster2000 That was a Treasure Island reference even when Doctor Who used it.

[@nickthedreamer4434]

This was, indeed, the first Muppet project without Jim Henson (the mind behind everything Muppets, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, and Dark Crystal among others) and Richard Hunt (a Muppeteer who worked in the Jim Henson Company since its earliest days). When Kermit makes his speech about how "life is about greetings and partings" about Tiny Tim, that was also the company saying their goodbyes to the pair who helped make the company shine so bright.

[@cemiller]

This is my favorite retelling of a christmas carol and learning all the random production funfacts is so good.

[@isabeauwolf562]

I grew up watching this movie on vhs every Christmas with my mom growing up. I always sang "When love is gone," along with Belle even if I was crying as a kid. Even as an adult, I still sing it and cry as I share it with my own daughter. I'm so happy that Disney added the full version on Disney+

[@FunkhousersNephew]

Brian Henson: "They're Muppets, Michael, don't forget to have fun with it." Michael Caine: "I'm going to treat this as serious as a car crash."

[@allisonwoody24601]

Now they should watch Muppet Treasure Island! 😂

[@Eidlones]

The bell that was ringing before the Marleys showed up was a servant bell. You rang it when you wanted your servant instead of yelling throughout the house.

[@gbassman5341]

I had no idea "When Love is Gone" was cut until my late 20s; I had always just seen the full, VHS version until then

[@PerovNigma]

4:05 For me, it's Basil Brush. I didn't grow up with the Muppets, but I watched shows he was in, and I'm always so joyous when he shows up on _QI_ or _The Last Leg_ or something.

[@outlanderfrog]

@BlindWave I JUST saw Steve Whitmere (Kermit and Rizzo) comment elsewhere that the walking scene was 4 puppeteers, including Mike Quinn (Nien Numb in Star Wars) and the movie's choreographer who did Kermit's feet. Christmas Present is 2 performers: the body and a puppeteer doing the head and voice via a custom remote that Henson uses, that operates just like a hand puppet. As with all of the lead characters, Present is voiced by the puppeteer who wears a headband mic while performing. ADR is mostly reserved for if 2 of their characters are in the same scene.

[@mistertwister2000]

This is the best rendition, hands down. Others are great, but this is perfection.

[@chuumon95]

Some of the puppets used here were previously in older productions like Fraggle Rock and Dog City.

[@barbaros99]

I completely forgot Dog City!

[@Tao_Tology]

@@chuumon95 And one of the wabbits from the muppet rabbit film, too.

[@GeorgeInglis]

They can do the Swedish Chef because the Swedes don’t know they’re being made fun of since in Sweden he’s called the Danish Chef

[@arashimiyazawa8165]

12:30 The book notes that the bells are part of a call system put in place by the previous owner who used the building for business. They're linked to a bell pull in the ATTIC, not the door, which makes the bell ringing actually scary and not "Someone's at the door". Most adaptations keep the bells but not the explanation for why it's scary that they're ringing.

[@mikechicago6200]

It was one of the best adaptations of A Christmas Carol and one of the best Muppet movies!! Sir Michael Caine is one of the best actors and I hope he enjoys his retirement!🎉

[@No0neAtAll]

As a Gen Xer Jim Henson had by far the biggest impact on my life outside of my family. From Sesame Street to the Muppets, Dark Crystal and everything he released so this movie always leaves me with a tear. So I feel I need to point out a high quality series here on KZbin called DefunctTV Jim Henson . It covers almost everything in Jim Hensons life good and bad from his start in commercials to his death.

[@ChaosMarine9118]

This was the movie that introduced me to Michael Caine as a child. Probably my favorite actor. The line that gets me every year is “These events can be changed… A life can be made right.” There is so much conviction in those simple words, but it’s not over-performed. Love this movie to my core.

[@FireFoxx0017]

Fun fact there is a shooting star in every muppets movie since Jim has passed. Its meant as a way of honoring him.

[@noahdean9685]

That's a nice touch

[@sowhatchajen2846]

Love is gone wasn’t deleted . The footage was lost between theater and vhs/dvd release. It was found and put back in for the full version on Disney +

[@Giveuponyourdreamsanddie2]

This is my mums favourite Christmas movie. Growing up, she would play it till my siblings and I were sick of it, but now I absolutely love it, and I constantly find myself quoting, "Light the lamp, not the rat!" Even when it's not Christmas

[@noahdean9685]

If Nickelodeon had to do a SpongeBob SquarePants Christmas Carol, Squidward as Charles Dickens, Mr Krabs as Ebenezer Scrooge, SpongeBob SquarePants as Bob cratchit, Sandy as Christmas past, Patrick as Christmas present, and either plankton or The flying Dutchman as Christmas future yet to come (I think it would make sense for the flying Dutchman to be Christmas future)

[@legionaireb]

3:17 - It was always there. This is the first major Muppets production after the death of Jim Henson and they weren't sure they could do it right. They did. Steve Whitmire, the new voice of Kermit, said that he was nervous as f#$% to record his lines, but the night before, Jim Henson came to him in a dream and told him he'd do fine. 12:11 - Michael Caine made a point of taking Brian Henson aside before shooting and saying to him that he was NOT going to act like he was playing with a bunch of puppets. He was going to treat each of his costars as if they were all working on a Royal Shakespearian Company production. 13:12 - Since they wanted to use Statler and Waldorf as Jacob Marley, they had to invent a _second_ Marley, so they made Waldorf 'Robert Marley.' Think about that for a second. 18:29 - Since you asked... This version actually leaves out most of Scrooge's childhood, other than him spending most of his Christmas' at boarding school. Scrooge's mother died when he was young, and his father dealt with that by drinking himself into a rage and taking out his grief on Scrooge. The only light in his life was his sister, Fan, who was the nicest person in the world to him. Fan would end up dying in childbirth, and the reason Scrooge is so cruel to his nephew is because Scrooge blames him for his sister's death. 43:06 - Rizzo first appeared as a background character in The Muppet Show. His first major role was in The Muppets Take Manhattan, and he was elevated to Main Cast with this movie. If you pay attention to the movie, there are tons of classic muppets that have cameos as background characters in this movie. In the opening sequence you can see Sprocket from Fraggle Rock and at Fred's party you can see recurring Fraggle Rock character Wander McMooch.

[@88gschannel39]

I hate that they cut the song the love is gone. That's a song that rips the heart but makes the ending song all the better. In the Alistair Sim film, Scrooge had an older sister that was like a mother figure to him. She died giving birth to his nephew Fred, hence his bitterness to him. And losing his sister hardened him to life and love. Belle noticed and gave him an ultimatum, love or wealth. Scrooge chose wealth, seeing it as a safety blanket he could control. And Michael Cain is second only to Alastair Sim being Scrooge. Cain is the most relatable feeling Scrooge, but Sim nails it with turning from unfeeling to manic at the end of the film. He looked like two separate characters in one film.

[@TheHighSorcerer]

For the record, the version with the song isn't the extended edition, it's the original edition. This is the Cropped Edition.

[@davidcorriveau8615]

Sir Michael Caine...the best Alfred and the best Scrooge...the man has range.

[@barbaros99]

Ack! I always send the video for "One More Sleep 'Til Christmas" to my family on Christmas Eve and this just made me realize I forgot this year! I'm the worst!😭

[@kawaiiconcept7479]

this was such a charming reaction, y'all's joy throughout was great!

[@richardsands]

I watch this with my family every year, and this year, a week ago, we went to the Prince Charles Cinema in London, and saw it on the big screen at a sing a long showing. So good!

[@MrMinoDan]

Love this movie. In my opinion the best adaptation of the Christmas Carol. The soundtrack and the songs are fantastic. Teaming up Gonzo and Rizzo was brilliant. They work so well with each other.

[@piercebuckley7699]

*”LIGHT THE LAMP, NOT THE RAT!!!”*

[@WanderingRoe]

This was so much fun, this and Muppet Treasure Island are two of the best Muppet movies imo. 😄

[@noahdean9685]

I agree

[@tytheguy13andahalf]

To answer the question on Ebenezer's home life, his mother died in childbirth and his father blamed him for it. Him spending his Christmases at school wasn't a conscious decision, he literally wasn't allowed to come home. His sister was the only light he had and she died in childbirth with her son, Fred. This is meant to draw a parallel with how Ebenezer resents Fred the same way his own father resented him. They likely removed this plotline cause they though it was too dark for a muppet movie.

[@lauradawson7964]

What an absolute treat to watch you guys watch my favourite Christmas movie! My sister and I have watched it every year since we were little. Gonzo and Rizzo’s narrating is just perfection.

[@annekeener4119]

There’s a whole saga behind the cut song. Jeffrey Katzenberg has an irrational hatred of ballads and wanted the song cut from the U.S. theatrical release (it might have been included in the UK and international theatrical release) but only specified the US theatrical release. Brian Henson reluctantly cut it as ordered, but then included it in the VHS and TV version along with some SD DVD releases. However, when Disney released the movie in HD Version and Blu-Ray, the masters for the cut song were lost so those versions didn’t have it. I have an older DVD that has the U.S. theatrical version in widescreen and the VHS version in standard screen because of this. Finally in 2021, Eisner announced Disney had finally located material they could use to bring the song up to HD and inserted it back in the movie as an option to watch.

[@MovieFan1912]

It doesn’t surprise me considering Katzenberg also nearly had “Part of Your World” cut from The Little Mermaid after some kids got restless during a test screening.

[@lovelyyecats]

Yay! So glad you watched this, like Calvin, this is a yearly rewatch for me and my family.

[@Armphid]

A note on the dedication at the beginning, Jim Henson and Richard Hunt had both recently passed away and this was the first Muppet production without them. Hence why it's a Brian Henson film, his son taking the reins.

[@promythical2023]

One of my absolute favourite Christmas movies. I watch this every single year and it never gets old, it’s incredible and don’t even get me started on the songs. Michael Caine is such a treasure, the fact that he treats the role so seriously and the muppets as fellow performers is what really elevates the whole movie. 10/10

[@melx4239]

24:21 I'm guessing they used the same procedure here as they did for the Gorgs in Fraggle Rock. The head is built as a remote controlled puppet and the puppeteer (Jerry Nelson in this case, since he does the voice) is off camera controlling the mouth motions.

[@JL-zw3tj]

Ah, that's a good point. Also like Hoggle from Labyrinth. I was looking to see if it was more of a Big Bird situation where one of the puppet arms is not as mobile and the puppeteers arm is controlling the mouth.

[@Sentient_Zee]

It’s always sad when you see a reaction to this film and it’s the one with the cut version because it means they’re missing out on the best song of the movie.

[@rulsis]

I have yet to see one reaction that shows that song. Shame Disney decided to cut it and hide it in the extras section.

[@mamluk]

THey look at the song at the end, thankfully. But yeah. Shame disney cut that song out.

[@lighttheshadowreaper5102]

@@mamluk Blame the exec who thought it screwed with pacing and tone. But also only blame him for that part, his actions were also why this became a theatrical set with a large budget in the first place! It was meant to be a minimal-budget, tv special (and parody at that) until he sent the producer to the sets being built for quality control, and they discovered how much detail the builders wanted to add. Then the produced phoned him back and said "They’re making $5 million more movie than they’ve even asked for. Give Brian the number he needs because I have no idea how he’s even doing it for that." and he signed off on it right away

[@joshcairo8480]

I'll never forgive the people who took it out. It's such an integral part of Scrooge's character to show both the losses he suffered and the extent to which he always put money first. When Love Is Gone also ties nicely with the coda song The Love We Found. It's nice to finally have access to the song again, but why it's buried as an extra is ridiculous.

[@tgiacin435]

@@rulsisit was a whole thing. It was originally cut in the theatrical run, but was added to the VHS, laserdisc and dvd version until the negative was physically lost. But in 2021, Brian Henson revealed the negative was found, and added back in time for the 30th anniversary

[@Bardic_Knowledge]

Growing up, I only ever saw the VHS release, so I was extremely confused when I eventually saw a version where "The Love is Gone" was cut. I had no idea until then that it only existed on VHS and certain few theatrical releases, and it feels adjacent to wrong when it's not present.

[@zeekslider]

They have the theatrical release version on Disney+. It's under Extras for the title.

[@Bardic_Knowledge]

@zeekslider I know, I was commenting on things from before then.

[@benjaminfaulknor9588]

OMG YESSS! Muppet Christmas Carol is so goated

[@JeM130177]

Eric your jumper is exquisite! I also have a very loud LOTR one but with a different design!

[@vsatmlrg]

I'm with Calvin where I watch this movie every year for the holidays. It's my favorite holiday movie and still gets me every time! So upset that they took out 'When Love is Gone' since the dvd release, you can only have the full version on vhs. Glad you guys watched this!

[@TheDunnDusted]

The speech Kermit gives about meetings and partings hits harder knowing who Jim Henson is and how the speech can be interpreted as them mourning his loss given this is the first muppet project without him.

[@lighttheshadowreaper5102]

Fun Fact: This movie was originally meant to be a tv special, and a parody at best. Including Gonzo as Christmas future (with his nose sticking out of the hood), as well as Piggy and Scooter as the other two Ghosts. It was also meant to have almost no budget. Then the executive (who was responsible for cutting the "When love Is Gone" part for being "too sad and slow for kids") sent the producer to the sets being built in England, and he shot back saying "They’re making $5 million more movie than they’ve even asked for. Give Brian the number he needs because I have no idea how he’s even doing it for that." Also? When the fog rolled in during the future segment, Michael Caine hadn't seen the animatronic for Future yet. Bryan Henson had him turn around to face the fog so they could roll it up behind him unseen.

[@lighttheshadowreaper5102]

Bonus Fun facts: The kiss between Rizzo and Gonzo is allegedly a callback to a similar scene in Fraggle Rock, where the same puppeteers did a similar kiss gag, only with the roles reversed. Before Michael Caine, we could have had George Carlin, Peter O'Toole, Ron Moody, or David Warner as Scrooge. U think they made the right choice. Frank Oz was the muppet that said "even the vegetables don't like him", but only at that part, when he shows up again in the past, he has a British accent. The soundtrack has a lot of unused stuff. The Marleys had an extra verse, Bunson Honeydew had a song, and Sam the Eagle had a song as well! When Love Is Gone, arguably the biggest (and only) controversy in the movie, was cut because as stated above, the exec in charge thought it was too sad and too slow for children. This proved so controversial, that Bryan Henson had fought for the song's restoration from day 1, but it got lost in post-production. To the point the *original negatives* were misplaced and spent 2 decades trapped in the Disney Vault. They tried to put it on a blu-ray via VHS transfer, but it resulted in obviously poor quality compared to the rest of the film and got axed. In 2020, they finally found the original negatives and had them undergo 4K conversion for theatrical re-releases and the D+ version!

[@TTHBLOX_]

They did it! The best christmas carol version ever!

[@therealmfbtl]

Love the extended scene. The regret of Michael Caine looking at his younger self walk away. The crying he does, the actress ignoring it to keep her regretful singing action going. Cinema.

[@alexwisz9527]

I think you guys would enjoy another Christmas Carol adaptation: Scrooged, starring Bill Murray.

[@MovieFan1912]

Oh yeah! That one’s my favorite.

[@JeM130177]

My dad was actually telling me last night that Wonderful Life WAS very loosely based on this kind of premise. Which makes sense with the sort of…seeing how miserable life is if certain things don’t change or had changed

[@forgiven36511]

I think there is a behind the scenes video that shows how they got a lot of the shots. It is super impressive.

[@MisterPunch19]

45:28 Aaron is describing a Gamorian, Do you want Gamorians, cuz that's how you get Gamorians!! Also, now Eric needs to watch Scrooged!

[@darinbell2326]

Star Wars / Muppet Connection: Frank Oz is the voice of Yoda and Miss Piggy!

[@barbaros99]

The first time I saw ESB, I was very young and was like, "Grover!?".

[@InkyPetrel]

This is such a hecking good movie. Delighted to see you reacting to it! Everything Eric was saying about Muppets and watching as an adult? 100% agree. They somehow hold up completely, even though you know they're puppets. Once they start moving around and talking it's immaterial, when they're on screen, they're real "people". Part of it I think is that they aren't TRYING to look realistic ? Kermit doesn't look like a real frog, he looks like a... Kermit. If they went the CGI route it would be a horror show, everything would be unsettling, and it would have looked "outdated" immediately, but we can see those are real, physical "creatures" moving and talking in that space, casting shadows, interacting with the other people. I feel like your brain has less reason to reject what it's seeing with physical effects and puppets. Of course the fantastic puppetry and vocal work that goes into them is important for that illusion, it's done so well that it's not distracting, the puppeteers put enough of their own acting into these characters that they move like "people" and the voices are fantastic. That disconnect is something you have to choose to pay attention to, when it's done this well. Like, of COURSE Kermit has a lower half. Of COURSE Rizzo is actually eating that fruit. You can see it! You can hear it! What are you talking about, brain? 😆 A somewhat related note, Fraggle Rock, also made by Jim Henson, also holds up remarkably well. Sadly it can be a little tricky to hunt down the original series, especially in digital format, but you can find some of it on physical media sometimes. It was a brilliant show, and like the Muppets all the characters have so much life and personality, it's easy to accept them as real. ANYWAY...this has been a minor tangent into Fraggle Rock, apologies. It was just one of my favourites as a kid, along with the Muppet Show, and it deserves a lot more love. :)

[@janhommer]

Fun fact, Robbie Coltrane did indeed play the ghost of Christmas (it was only one in that case) long before he played Hagrid (maybe that's where they got the idea of casting him in the role 😄) in the, if you ask me, hilarious (!) spoof the dark Britisch comedy show "Blackadder" (starring Rowan Atkinson before Mister Bean) did of the story (really the most fitting way to parody it, imo, especially for a show like that...), a show I can only recommend to everyone, really...

[@DorkQueen23]

51:17 In the book, Scrooge's family leaves him at school during Christmas. One year his sister comes to fetch him, saying their father said he could come home that year. So yeah Christmas was a lonely time for him as a child. The opening song says it right away "theres nothing that freezes the heart like years of being alone".

[@sonicsean34]

Michael Caíne famously stated the only way to play the role was to do it straight and believe Every muppet was a fellow actor. It’s been joked that Tim curry took the opposite choice and played treasure island as tho he was a muppet