Which was your favorite adaptation of this classic story? Was it the new Patrick Stewart one? The Michael Caine one (with the Muppets - which I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with)? The old black and white one? The American Christmas Carol (with Henry Winkler - haven't seen that one in a few years, but I do like it)? Another version?

Which one do you feel was the best?

Now, here's my rule (I made the topic; I get to make the rules for it!): You can't just say, "I like XXXXXXXX one." You must tell us WHY you feel that way. What about this particular movie made it better than the rest?

As a followup question - which one do you feel follows the original story the closest?

I've always preferred "the old black & white one", Linda. Actually there were two "old B&W" versions. The first, with Reginald Denny, was a straight-forward rendering of Dickens' novel, and certainly predictable. The better one (in my opinion) was the 're-make', starring Alistair Sim. Sim, being Sim, crafted his Scrooge so as to add a few actually amusing facets to the miserly old curmudgeon's character. He brought depth to the role and presented a poignancy to Scrooge's background so that the viewer, if not actually sympathizing with Ebenezer, could now understand some of the events that led him to become the rigid old nasty that he is. And you have to love the Sim version's "Spirit of Christmas Present", the robust and raucous cross between Santa Claus and Henry VIII. Best version, in this writer's opinion.

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Gunslinger
"..I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air."

I love the 1984 version with George C Scott, Frank Finlay and Edward Woodward.

Partly, I have to admit because it was filmed in my hometown of Shrewsbury. Almost all of the outdoor shots are of Shrewsbury.

We also still have Scrooge's headstone in St Chad's churchyard.

Blessings

MeKare

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"Four be the things I'd been better without
Love, curiosity, freckles and doubt"

~Dorothy Parker~

Being a musician, and a lover of musicals, my favorite version of A Christmas Carol (and perhaps my favorite movie) is Scrooge with Albert Finney as Ebenezer and Alec Guiness as Marley. The music is wonderful, the set, scenery, costumes and special effects are delightful! I watched it as a child and now I watch it every year with my 2 children. It is a family tradition and I cry every time! In fact, we just watched it tonight, and I can't stop singing the songs! They really don't make movies like this anymore...I highly recommend it!!!

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"It's never too late...just do it!"

I actually like Scrooged with Bill Murray and Alfre Woodard. It's a modern twist to an old classic, and very funny. Also has some good music (and a cameo by Mary Lou Retton - former gold medalist in gymnastics - as Tiny Tim!)

Oh God...I wanna composit!
On general principle i prefer the B&W originals. I liked the adhearence to the book that the Denny version had but I generally liked Sim best as Scrooge. I liked the ghosts best in the Sim Version, but the Cratchets best from the Denny version. I think the George C. Scott version was an attempt to merge the best of the two together. Scott was good, but still no Sim.
As to the "Moderen versions" The musical was just too..."Disney" for me. (Though I always like Alec Guiness...can he do anything wrong?) I was VERY moved by the Henry Winkler "American Christmas Carol". I liked the decisions and interpretations he chose. The Movie Scrooged - with Bill Murray, I didn't like at first...but it really grows on you. And lasts well over time. He not only overcomes being a miser but also being an obnoxious jerk, too. Plus, Carol Kane, Bob Cat Galthwaite(sp?) and the "backup band" of Larry Carlton & Miles Davis (among other greats), ya gotta Love it! Patrick Stuarts' version is the one I haven't seen...yet. But I can't wait to hear him say "I want you to add another coal scuttle to the fire before you dot another i! Make it So, Mr. Cratchit!"

[This message has been edited by Cohalen (edited 12-20-1999).]