A CHRISTMAS CAROL

I did not get to all the versions, and didn’t even discuss (save Patrick Stewart) stage versions. But I did cover a lot of ground.

Conclusions?

Despite rewatching and discovering this many versions, I still love the story.

There isn’t a formula for what works. But the versions that work best don’t shy away from the difficult parts, and they lay off the sentimentality.

The message is as relevant today as ever, if not more so.

And so, a Merry Christmas to all. God bless us, everyone.

I have blogged before about Patrick Stewart’s brilliant CHRISTMAS CAROL on stage, and the wonderful CD of his reading. In 1999 he played Scrooge in a full version on TNT. So in love with the stage version was I that I gave this version more than a passing grade, but I did not give it its due. This Christmas Carol challenge has given me a lot to think about. And I decided to end the challenge with this version. Because it is, in my estimation, practically perfect. (I don’t like the eyes of the Ghost of Christmas Future. They take away from the rest of him. That’s my only quibble with this version.)

I suspect that it excels for a number of reasons. This version is so faithful to Dickens, with all of the prerequisites I mentioned before in place. The cast is fabulous, and the production values are outstanding. You have a sense of the place and time–cold, dirty, difficult living in Victorian England.

And then there is Patrick Stewart. What an actor. He knows this role, and carries the subtext in his bones. The tragic look on his face as he watches his younger self lose Belle, knowing the consequences. And his pleading to “go after her” and “speak, why doesn’t he speak?” His fondness for Fezziwig, and appreciation for the lessons he offered, but Scrooge didn’t learn. The slow transformation of Scrooge that is visible throughout the show. I realize that filming makes this subtlety difficult, but Mr. Stewart does such a great job. I love that his transformation is because of the whole experience, and not just the fear of being dead and left alone. And I also love that his Scrooge isn’t over the top. He is a very normal man who has chosen the wrong path. George C. Scott had a similar portrayal in this way–he is not a caricature, but is rather a recognizable man. Which makes him more recognizable, and more scary.

If you ever have the opportunity to see Mr. Stewart do his CHRISTMAS CAROL on stage, run, do not walk. (If you ever have a chance to see him do any part on stage, do not hesitate. He is an amazing actor.) But don’t neglect this wonderful version of my favorite story.

This 1938 version is a favorite of mine. It has some additions to the story. There is more interaction between Fred and the Cratchit family. Bob Cratchit gets fired on Christmas Eve, so he goes out and spends all of his money so the family can have a merry Christmas.

The past skips over Belle, but the school scenes are powerful. The Ghosts are all terrific, and the Ghost of Christmas Present wanders about spreading Christmas cheer. I also have to say that when Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past fly, it looks very real. I know that is a random observation, but it was 1938. That and zooming in on the school are very cool.

I have a great affection for movies from the 1930’s. Filmmaking was still fairly new, so the special effects weren’t great. Some were theatrical (like blackouts on scenes). But there is enough experimentation with the medium that makes this a movie, not a filmed theater piece.

I read that Reginald Owen was a last minute replacement for Lionel Barrymore. I think he is terrific, though I would have loved to see Lionel Barrymore in the role. Will have to settle for listening to it instead.

This version is easily in my top five. Watch it–what do you think?