The Muppet Christmas Carol is still the best movie adaptation of the story because Michael Caine is a perfect Scrooge.
The Muppet Christmas Carol is still the best movie adaptation of the story because Michael Caine is a perfect Scrooge.
Title says it all. He sells Scrooge better than any other movie adaptation I've seen.
It's also the only version I'm aware of where they gave Dickens a character as the Narrator. The fact that he is portrayed by Gonzo just makes it that much better.
The version available on Disney+ omits the sad song sung between Scrooge and his fiance as she breaks up with him for his avarice. As a kid i didn't like it much, but as an adult i realize that it's a critical emotional turning point for the movie.
Without that song, the whole film feels rather hollow.
The original film is one of my favorite Muppet movies and Christmas Carol adaptations. The loss of that song is a shame.
They have the "Full Length Version" under "Extras".
Ohhh today I learned the lost the negative and the scene is too low res...
https://screenrant.com/muppets-christmas-carol-when-love-gone-cut-reason/
I dust off the VCR just for that version. I am too lazy to digitize it, apparently.
Yes I have seen that one and I have no idea why they would ever remove that. As you said, its a critical point.
Nope, they have the full version. It's how I first watched it complete a few years ago.
I’d also add that every muppet kills it in their respective roles.
I read all Charles Dickens books in Gonzo’s voice!
"What time is it?!"
"It's two o clock in the morning."
"Is it too early for breakfast?"
"Yes!"
"Oh good... suppertime!"
The Marley's were dead to begin with.
“…and rotting in their graaaves.”
Rizzo stares motherfuckedly
The way he plays it straight makes the movie.
"Muppet Christmas Carol" works because Michael Caine treats the Muppets as fellow actors.
"Muppet Treasure Island" works because Tim Curry treats himself as a fellow muppet.
A friend said to me: "It's great because Michael Caine acts like the Muppets are real, and Treasure Island is great because Tim Curry acts like he's a Muppet."
I have watched this every Christmas Eve for the past 10 years or more. Absolutely the best version of A Christmas Carol for me. I have an old version with Belles song still in it that was cut as that’s the version I always remembered and loved.
They also did add that version back to D+ a few years ago, annoyingly you need to choose that version from the extras menu
I like Scrooged better, but it's more adult, so the actual turning point is more subtle (I honestly missed it for years, it's a single, easily missed line by Bill Murray).
Still enjoy the Muppets version, it's really great!
The Patrick Stewart 1999 version for me. There's an AI upscale version floating around that truly amazing.
My 3 favorites are the Muppets version 3rd, Patrick Stewart Version 2nd, and The Man who Invented Christmas 1st.