Top 10 Favorite "A Christmas Carol" Adaptations | The PopComplex

[@ottobaron6392]

The Patrick Stewart version deserves to be high on the list, with the George C. Scott version and my personal favorite; the Alistar Sims 1951 film. One version I also love is the Mr. Magoo Christmas Carol, which may have been the very first animated Christmas special, made for television.

[@ThePopComplex]

Mr Magoo almost made this list. It was tough with so many classic versions. Thanks for watching!

[@ctrushfan8575]

Thanks for sharing your list. I too have always been a huge Christmas Carol fan. For me, the George C Scott version is #1.

[@ThePopComplex]

Awesome!

[@josephinerimmer6888]

I love the Pat Stewart and George C Scott versions equally.

[@ThePopComplex]

Awesome. Glad to see the love for the Patrick Stewart version. Thanks for watching!

[@lindseyhall2817]

I love muppets Christmas carol my self that’s my favorite

[@ThePopComplex]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@frankschipani7682]

My favorite is the Sim version with Stewart as second, and Scott third.

[@ThePopComplex]

Great choices. Thanks for watching!

[@dawnboren594]

1938 version has been my favorite since I was a child. I do love most of the versions though.

[@ThePopComplex]

That’s cool that it’s your favorite. It’s kind of obscure to most people especially compared to all the other versions.

[@dawnboren594]

@ThePopComplex I know what you mean. Everyone always assumes I am talking about the 50's version. I just smile when I think of Reginald grinning when he realizes that he didn't miss Christmas day.

[@nancyschell5382]

My favorite is the 1951 movie with Alistar Sims.

[@ThePopComplex]

Great one.

[@BrotherDerrick3X]

My favorite version is the one starring Albert Finney, released in 1970. Close second is the only starring Alastair Sim in 1951. Tied for third place are the 1984 version starring George C. Scott, and the 1999 version starring Captain Picard himself, Sir Patrick Stewart.

[@ThePopComplex]

Such great adaptations!

[@rfletch62]

I had never seen Scrooge as evil or villainous, just a fellow shaped by his background.

[@ThePopComplex]

Very true…

[@violinda.]

This is the best way for him to be portrayed... a flawed human like the rest of us.

[@toewstokane9023]

My favourites are the 1935, 1938 and 1951 adaptations. I’m in my 20’s but I simply love these three films and black and whites in general. Such an amazing story with such terrific casts. Especially the 1938 A Christmas Carol, I love Reginald Owen and the story behind him being cast as Scrooge, Mr. Gene Lockhart who played Crachit and his wife Kathleen Lockhart who played Mrs. Cratchit are from my home city of London, Ontario here in Canada, was very excited when I made the connection. Also in that adaptation Barry Mackay plays THE PERFECT Fred, I well up every time I see him on screen, he’s simply charming.

[@ThePopComplex]

Great choices. Thank you for sharing your insight and feelings on your favorites. Thanks for watching!

[@judycater2832]

The Patrick Stewart version is also my favorite. Hadn’t known about the Flintstones version. Need to check that out.

[@ThePopComplex]

Yeah it’s really cute and fun.

[@lordbarristertimsh8050]

Dear PopComplex, what song did you use as the background music 8:51 - 10:30 ? I also like your choices, I'm glad you acknowledged the Flintstones adaptation, and I am glad you put my personal favorite Christmas Carol adaptation, the 1984 version starring George C. Scott, high on your list. { Belated } Merry Christmas! Happy Boxing Day!

[@ThePopComplex]

I used classical Christmas music from orangefreesounds.com. Thanks so much for watching!

[@lordbarristertimsh8050]

@@ThePopComplex Thanks for the tip!

[@spyboy1964]

One version that I highly recommend is the 1971 animated short film with Alastair Sim reprising his role as Scrooge. It won the oscar for best animated short.

[@ThePopComplex]

I actually read about that version in the research for this video, but I’ve never seen it.

[@Geronimo_Jehoshaphat]

01. A Christmas Carol (1984) TV 02. A Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) 03. Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983) Short 04. Scrooged (1988) 05. A Christmas Carol (1951) 06. Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009) 07. A Christmas Carol (1999) TV An absolutely perfect cinematic translation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" has yet to exist, but the 1984 television version with George C. Scott as Abenezer Scrooge is definitely the best attempt nearest to perfect.

[@ThePopComplex]

Great list! Thanks for watching!

[@jtkirkfan2002]

I agree with your choice for number one. Other than omitting Scrooge making good with the charity solicitors, it remains closest to Dickens story of all modern versions. I am also a fan of George C. Scott’s version, but it takes some license such as Scrooge’s father sending him away to the boarding school and never getting him for holidays because his mother died giving birth to him. (Fen was the younger of the Scrooge children.) And while they are both magnificent actors, both David Warner and Susannah York seemed too “upper class” and well fed to be the Cratchits. Roger Reese was also too “subdued” as Fred. He is much more flamboyant in the story and much more like the actor who portrayed him in the Patrick Stewart version. The Muppets rate highly with me too. For a kids’ movie, it stays pretty close to the real story, only veering off for a little Muppet humor here and there such as Sam the Eagle as the school’s headmaster telling Scrooge that business “is the American way” and then correcting himself after Gonzo reminds him that the story is set in England and saying, “It is the British way.” It was fun to see Kermit and Piggy playing a couple, since we all know that is how it should be anyway. There was a pretty good made for TV movie in the ‘70’s called “An American Christmas Carol” starring Henry Winkler as “Jacob Slade”, the Scrooge Character. Like Albert Finney, they cast a younger man as “Scrooge” and made him up to be older so he could still play the character in the “past” segments”. The story was set in the Depression and Slade was the owner of a finance company who was ruthless to anyone who got behind.

[@ThePopComplex]

Wow thanks for sharing. I do remember the Henry Winkler adaptation but it never stuck out with me. And I agree with your assessment of Roger Reese as Fred. He seems kind of stilted and not jolly enough.

[@jeremytheloner]

Great list!

[@ThePopComplex]

Thank you for watching!

[@mariovaccarella6854]

I agree with many movies that made your list. Since I haven't seen the non-human/animated versions, including Muppets, I will not include them until I see them (even though I probably won't change my Top 5, due to personal likes/discussed). So, here's my list: (1) The 1951 Version - It has nearly all of the things from the book, with The Alastair Sims portrayal as The Best Scrooge; (2) The 1938 Version is A Great Movie, even though it, as you said, omits so much of The Story. It's Great to see The Lockhart Family (Gene - An Extremely Unrated Bob Cratchit, whose wit & great dramatic acting skills makes him on of the greatest of all Character Actors - Kathleen, his real life wife, as Cratchit Wife, & June, his real life child) & Terry Kilburn - as Tiny Tim & Pre-Tarantula Character Actor Leo G. Carrol, A Great Jacob Marley. Reginald Owen was A Great Scrooge; (3) The 1970 Version - The Musical Number of Thank You Very Much at the ending, in the Town Square was Fabulous - Albert Finney was Great, especially, in The Makeup Old Scrooge To The Young Scrooge/Playing Both Roles; (4) The 1988 Bill Murray Version Scrooged was not only great writing by O'Donoghue & Glazer, but, The Spirits & The Actors Portraying Them, from Charlie's Angles Voice, John Forsythe playing Lou/Marley to Johansson playing Past as A Taxi Driver, Kane playing Present, along with Michael J. Pollard, The Ramsey Husband & Wife (Gordon & Anne), Karen Allen, Robert Mitchum, John Glover, & The Murray Brothers, along with so many others, was The Improvised Singing Guy that Murray did on SNL in the finale of This Movie; (5) An American Christmas Carol with Henry Winkler as Scrooge type (you need to see it). Then I'd say, not necessarily in order, A Carol For Christmas, with Dinah Manoff as The Aunt with Marley Like ways, The 1935 Version, Patrick Stewart & George C. Scott get at least Honorable Mentions, however, they're versions seem to be A Mimic Of Other Scrooges, The Guy Pearce FX Version, albeit A Bit Long & Strange did have fresh takes & Pearce (The Guy - Pun Intended - Lieutenant Edmund Exily/LA Confidential) is always good. Let me know what you think

[@ThePopComplex]

Great list. I have seen the Henry Winkler adaptation years ago but I think it’s time for a fresh viewing.

[@filmgal666]

All excellent versions (though I've never seen Hicks or Finney's versions and I'm not a huge fan of Reginald Owen's version) and it's nice to see Patrick Stewart edge out Alistair Simms; I like both but the Stewart one just has something else - my favourite scene from that one is when Present takes Scrooge around different areas and sees a multitude of people, even French sailors far from home and inmates at a jail singing Christmas Carols. My mom loves this version too, but it gets knocked down a couple of pegs for two reasons: 1) because of the graveyard scene where he falls into the grave (a BIG fear of my mom's) and the scene where he laughs after his reclamation - she finds it silly how he chokes first and makes that rasping sound before he laughs. Personally, I like it as it shows it's been years, if not decades (possibly since Belle left him - his is the best adaptation of that scene because you can see, even to this very night, it's his greatest regret, even more than Fran's death) since he laughed at all. Where do you rank Jim Carey and have you seen Rankin & Bass' Stingiest Man in Town? Short, but lots of lovely songs and Walter Matthau plays a very convincing Scrooge.

[@ThePopComplex]

I actually don’t care for the Jim Carrey version and I do like the Rankin Bass version but it didn’t quite make my list. Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@3dartistguy]

I liked ALbert Finnney's Scrooge 1970 the best.

[@ThePopComplex]

It’s a good one! Thanks for sharing!

[@WelcomeApathy]

I argue that Scrooge isn't evil or a caricature of a villain. He's a person who acts in evil ways. That's one of the great things about him. He's three dimensional. He's not a black and white "evil character" who can't be redeemed. He's a man who's made bad choices and acts in bad ways. That's why he can be redeemed. Thus, I feel like the various portrayals from cruel and vindictive to a mocking bully to rude and standoffish are all valid portrayals. They don't need to be villainous. They need to be someone close-hearted who can be redeemed. I argue with the repeated characterization and critiques based on not be "villainous enough." That said, I definitely agree that one of the best portrayals was done by Stewart. I mean, he's great in anything, but he really shone as Scrooge. I did not remember that it was a made-for-TV TNT movie, either! It's so well done, you wouldn't think it. I have to say, a few of my favorite versions are not ones I see on lists like these. My favorite is A Christmas Carol: The Musical with Kelsey Grammar. Muppets is second. A Diva's Christmas Carol with Vanessa Williams is third. Stewart's version is fourth. I don't know that I have specific rankings beyond that, although there are ones I do not like, such as the CGI version. I can't take that animation. And there were definitely a couple that creeped me out as a child that I need to rewatch as an adult and see what I think now.

[@ThePopComplex]

Thanks for sharing and watching!

[@leiflohne3096]

It is The muppets for me. Then Patrick Stewart. And the bw one from 1951

[@ThePopComplex]

The Patrick Stewart version doesn’t get enough credit.

[@jasonregina13]

For me, Alastair Sim, George C Scott and Patrick Stewart are the Big 3 of Scrooge actors.

[@ThePopComplex]

Yes! Great choices!

[@gordonwright6594]

I would switch your # 1 and #2, and give a good position to Jim Carrey's version. Fun video, thanks

[@ThePopComplex]

Thanks for watching!

[@hoshitrqdes]

Iconic 🎉

[@ThePopComplex]

Thanks for watching!

[@rorylumley4727]

christmas exists in the flintstones as it is a post apocolyptic future.

[@ThePopComplex]

😱

[@MsBackstager]

How about the musical SCROOGE starring Albert Finney?

[@ThePopComplex]

Yep. That was my number 9.

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

1935 & 1951... Seymour Hicks & Alister Sim

[@ThePopComplex]

Great choices!

[@copperridgegrow3940]

George C Scott

[@ThePopComplex]

An awesome version!

[@richmanz447]

Mr. Magoo, a 1960s cartoon character, did a version that resembles the Flintstones version. This may be hard to hear but Mr Magoo does a better job than George C. Scott. George didn't even bother trying an English accent. He did not possess 1/10th of the range of that Albert Finney did. Finney is probably the best actor on this list.

[@ThePopComplex]

Mr Magoo’s Christmas Carol came very close to making this list.

[@mariovaccarella6854]

The 1951 Version Is The Best. The End. LOL. I'll keep opened mind.

[@ThePopComplex]

Lol, thanks for watching!

[@edwardevans7219]

Rich little, a Christmas Carol, Scrooge is played by W C Fields and Tiny Tim is portrayed by Elton John !!!!!!

[@ThePopComplex]

Learn something new every day!

[@nancyomalley6286]

I remember that one. Little did Mrs. Cratchit as Edith Bunker and Marley as Nixon

[@nancyomalley6286]

I saw the One Man Show on Broadway

[@ThePopComplex]

I would have loved to have seen that.

[@daddio5251]

It was important that you prefaced this list (several times) that these are YOUR PERSONAL favorites, and not an objective or artistically critical ranking. As such, there are several ways I can criticize the list. First, the inclusion of the Flintstones show struck me as scraping the bottom of the barrel. If one had no other versions to choose from, I could see adding this one to the list in last place. Second, as others have mentioned before, you did not include Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, which I have always thought very entertaining. Third, If you are looking for an illustrative, well-acted, and very closely adapted (with some notable stretches) version, I would have included the Disney CGI version directed by Robert Zemeckis, and with the incredible acting talents of Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Cary Elwes, Bob Hoskins, and Robin Wright. This one would have been (and still is) at the top of my list. And finally, since you included "Scrooged," which was a wild pseudo-adaptation, I thought you might also have considered "The Man Who Invented Christmas" with Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, and Jonathan Price. It's the story of Dickens' struggles with his characters, getting his works published, and the writing process. Brilliantly acted, brilliantly told.

[@ThePopComplex]

Awesome assessment. Thanks so much for watching!

[@okay5045]

1935 version

[@ThePopComplex]

Great choice.

[@hanschristianbrando5588]

Fred Flintstone is too aggressively proletariat to be Scrooge.

[@ThePopComplex]

Yeah but he got to live vicariously through the role.

[@dr.migilitoloveless2385]

Didn't care for the 1938 Reginald Owens version. It's too watered down with many important characters missing.

[@ThePopComplex]

It’s is very different from the book. Thanks for watching!

[@032319581]

I've never seen the Patrick Stewart version. We always watch Reginald Owens with Gene Lockhart. I do like George C Scott also. But couldn't get through the entire film of Albert Finney 40 years ago. Perhaps time to watch again, or not.

[@ThePopComplex]

The Patrick Stewart version is a must watch. And I would give the Albert Finney version another go. The songs are catchy.

[@charlieirvin5423]

One you forgot Is Mr Magoo's Christmas Carol . But My old time Favorite Is Alastair Sim and seymour Hicks .. I grew up with these old ones

[@ThePopComplex]

Yes there were a few that I would have liked to talk about including Mr Magoo. I even thought about including an honorable mention segment. Thanks for watching!

[@charlieirvin5423]

@@ThePopComplex Very welcome Sir and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@Morrissey_04]

I Love Patrick Stewart as Scrooge my number is Alistar Simms

[@ThePopComplex]

The best versions! 👍🏻