One of the most popular tales to be told this time of year is Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The story is so popular, that almost no sitcom can go by without taking the opportunity to use its plot device in some holiday themed episode, and dozens of movie versions have been made of the story, starring everyone from Albert Finney to Whoopi Goldberg as Ebenezer Scrooge (or a Scrooge figure).

Because of the popularity of the story, during the Christmas season it’s almost impossible to not see some variation of A Christmas Carol. In fact, we’re recommending two different versions of the story in our 12 Days of Christmas coverage. There are more than just two decent versions of the Dickens classic, so this week, instead of avoiding the Christmas tale, we embrace it with a Double Feature of Scrooge. Compare them, create a drinking game – do what you want to with them, but mostly just enjoy two well told versions of the transformation of Ebeneezer Scrooge.



Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) (1951)

Arguably the most classic version of Dickens’ tale is the 1951 version of the movie, featuring Alastair Sim as the miserly Scrooge. In fact, Sim’s performance defined Ebeneezer so well that the actor later reprised the role in an animated version of the story. Scrooge, as the movie was originally titled (the movie’s title was changed for American release), takes some liberties with Dickens’ work, adding in a little more backstory for Scrooge, which leads in justifying his curmudgeonly ways a little more. It may be the first example of demystifying an iconic character, but for this movie it works. Through Sim’s performance we see Ebenezer as a rotten, mean spirited old man, a sympathetic, misunderstood figure, and a truly transformed man by the time all is said and done. The effects may be dated, and a war could be waged over which version is better – the original black and white or a colorized version – but there’s still no competing with Sim’s Scrooge. At least, no real competition until…




A Christmas Carol (1999)

I don’t think anyone doubted Patrick Stewart’s ability to play Ebeneezer Scrooge. After all, the actor had already won quite a bit of acclaim and prestige playing the character in a one-man show on stage. When it was announced that he’d be taking on Scrooge for a filmed version of the story, my only surprise was that it wound up as a telefilm instead of a theatrical release. Stewart is the perfect successor for a role that has bragged Lionel Barrymore, Albert Finney, and, of course as mentioned above, Alistair Sim. In fact, I think Stewart may capture the range of Scrooge’s transformation from miser to embracing the Christmas spirit better than Sim, but that may just be because I’m such a fan of Stewart, regardless of the role. This version has a pretty substantial supporting role as well, from Joel Grey to Dominic West, but I have to admit I almost wish they had taken a risk and filmed a version of Stewart’s one-man show. Unfortunately the audio version of the story will probably be the closest I’ll ever get to seeing Stewart play all the roles. His Scrooge is an instant classic, though.



Other Scrooge stories: Scrooge (1970), The Muppet Christmas Carol, Scrooged, Mickey’s Christmas Carol




Enjoy our Double Feature suggestions? and maybe we’ll use them in a future column.