In 1843, Charles Dickens read a parliamentary report called “Second Report of the Children’s Employment Commission,” which exposed the effects the Industrial Revolution had on poor children. Dickens visited the Cornish tin mines to see children working in tough conditions and went to London’s Field Lane Ragged School, a school for starving, illiterate street children. In May, Dickens considered publishing An Appeal to the People of England, on behalf of the Poor Man’s Child, a political pamphlet, but decided against it. Instead, Dickens thought up a better idea, which he believed would carry out his idea more forcefully; Dickens decided to write A Christmas Carol.
Published on December 19, 1843, the novella told the story of a cranky, old businessman named Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge’s business partner Jacob Marley had died seven years ago on Christmas Eve, and on the anniversary of his death, the ghost of Marley pays a visit to Mr. Scrooge. As a ghost, Marley carries heavy chains, which he warns will be Scrooge’s fate if he doesn’t change his greedy ways. To teach Scrooge his lesson, three other ghosts pay Scrooge a visit: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. In the novella, Scrooge revisits his childhood, views the lives his actions affects, like nephew Fred and Bob Cratchit’s family; and gets a glimpse of the future if he doesn’t change his lifestyle.
The novella followed Dickens’ “Carol philosophy,” which encouraged the wealthy to help the less fortunate. Dickens called upon individuals to help others, rather than pointing a finger at the government to assist. Through Scrooge helping Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim survived; and since there were many more children in need, A Christmas Carol called upon readers to help those in need.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has been adapted for film, television, radio, plays and even operas. I went to see its latest adaptation, Robert Zemeckis’ A Christmas Carol, featuring Jim Carrey as Scrooge, Ghost of Christmas Past and Ghost of Christmas Present; Gary Oldman as Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and Marley; Colin Firth as Scrooge’s nephew Fred, and Robin Wright Penn as Belle. What makes this version of A Christmas Carol stand apart from previous adaptations is the 3D aspect. Wearing the black plastic, grey tinted 3D glasses, I was blown away with the visual effect. Characters popped out from the theatre screen and the scenery seemed so real; I spent much of the film ogling the 3D technology. As for the story aspect of this adaptation, it wasn’t anything unique; but the 3D experience made it special.
Like most North Americans, I grew up watching the various film and television adaptations of A Christmas Carol. From the oldies to Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983), Scrooged (1988) and even this year’s Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, I’ve seen a number of adaptations, but only two stand out from the rest: The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) and the 1999 TV movie A Christmas Carol.
The Muppet Christmas Carol was a musical feature film starring The Muppets. Released in 1992, Michael Caine played Ebenezer Scrooge opposite Kermit the Frog’s Bob Cratchit. Watching this gem on VHS as a child, I thought it entertaining to watch my favourite muppets play Charles Dickens’ characters and was enchanted.
My next Christmas Carol favourite was a television movie I scored on VHS. Starring Patrick Stewart, the 1999 film A Christmas Carol was a bit darker than the rest. Produced after Stewart performed theatrical readings of the Dickens novella, A Christmas Carol had me glued to the TV set. Below is a clip from the film’s opening:
There are many wonderful adaptations of the Dickens classic, and it truly is a terrific way to get into the holiday spirit. From a 3D experience to The Muppets and Patrick Stewart, I’ve always enjoyed the lessons instilled by this popular Christmas classic.