December 24th, 2020
Written by LANA CARBON & JOHN LILIES
[John] It's time for our annual 12 Movies for the 12 Days of Christmas!
How Christmas arrived so quickly, I don't know - didn't Hallowe'en just happen two weeks ago? Although, I suppose we went into COVID-19 isolation 400 months ago, so perhaps it makes sense. Regardless, 'tis the season for us to focus in on 12 Christmas movies. (We know we don't actually line up with the real 12 Days of Christmas but we're okay with that. If you want the scoop on the real 12 Days, you can click here.)
As with our annual 31 Movies for the 31 Days of Hallowe'en, we always choose some sort of theme for our 12 Christmas movies and this year, we decided on A Christmas Carol - 12 different versions of the same story. We asked each other if we might become bored of the same story 12 different ways over a few weeks but we realized we’d either just take a break from it for a long time or we’d be happy with it and thus, no need to worry. So, with that our theme was confirmed.
[Lana] It also helps that, if you are going to watch 12 different movies based on the same story, there are at least 12 versions of that story in existence and this is one of the very few offerings that was an option in this way.
[John] Something we realized as we started this year's venture, is that neither of us had ever read the book; it was a story always told to us via television episodic features or full-length movies. Not once had either of us actually read the Dickens tale itself. So, Lana being the wonderful guy he is, promptly found a beautiful edition for our book collection and reading it became our focussed activity for this Christmas season (well, one of our specific activities besides watching our 12 movies, that is – stay tuned for a wee article on the other two events). While reading through A Christmas Carol, we began thinking that we should read a Christmas-themed story every year. Fingers crossed we can make that happen!
How many of you have read A Christmas Carol? When did you first read it? I'm curious to know how many of us are only familiar with it via television and movies versus when people first read the tale itself. Let us know, please! Comment here on our site or Tweet us, catch us on Facebook or Instagram, or email us!
For our 12 different takes on the movie version of the story, we decided to incorporate animated versions and favourites we've previously watched. It was hard to face the concept of watching this 12 times without adding some of our existing favourites to the mix.
Do you have a favourite rendition? What is it? There are so many out there – let us know which one(s) you gravitate towards.
And, with that, it's time... pour yourself a cozy drink and check out our 2020 12 Movies for the 12 Days of Christmas. We have ranked the versions in the order we watched them, not in order of our preference.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think we were Scrooged!
1. A Flintstones' Christmas Carol (1994) (animated)
Directed by Joanna Romersa
Starring: Henry Corden, Jean Vander Pyl, Frank Welker
[John] We've both watched this one before but when considering our theme of 12 versions of A Christmas Carol, Lana wanted to make sure we included at least one animated movie. It's been a while since I've taken in some Flintstones wackiness, so I suggested we go with it and why not start things off with some Yabba-Dabba Doo time? I must admit though, the 90's Flintstones is much different than what I grew up watching. However, still fun and nostalgic.
[Lana] Yabba-Dabba Dooooooo! (Any chance we're in lockdown because of the Bedrock Bug and not COVID?) Fred certainly makes a wonderful, if slightly too cheerful and likeable, Scrooge.
2. Rich Little's A Christmas Carol (1978)
Directed by Trevor Evans
Starring: Rich Little, Rich Little, and Rich Little (with a special appearance by Rich Little)
[John] This one was added to our list at my request. I remember Pa Lilies liking Rich Little when I was a kid, and I saw this version of A Christmas Carol in the 80's. I was too young to really understand the humour but it stuck out in my mind. All these years later, I wanted to watch it with an adult brain and I was not disappointed. This is a fun take on the story and I love the way it was done.
[Lana] Rich Little is a very talented man. This version brought back a lot of memories of the various characters he portrayed. It made me feel Christmassy, it made me laugh, and it made me realize... damn, I'm old! While it will mean more to us older folk, the youngsters will still get a kick out of it.
3. A Christmas Carol (1999)
Directed by David Hugh Jones
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Joel Grey
[John] Patrick Stewart is the reason I needed to see this version. This one stays true to traditional form and does not really stray from the path but it is a really good one to watch. And... Patrick Stewart.
[Lana] Jean Luc makes a darn fine Scrooge. Though, I kept waiting for him to say, "Make it so!" This is one of the better modern retellings of the tale.
4. A Christmas Carol The Musical (2004)
Directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman
Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Jesse L. Martin, Jane Krakowski
[John] While Kelsey Grammer was not the pull for me to watch this one, seeing that Jesse L. Martin is in the cast immediately told me it would be worth the investment. This is definitely a full-on musical and it is enjoyable. Is it my favourite rendition? No. However, it was fun to watch.
[Lana] It wasn't too shabby. While it isn't my favourite, I liked it better than I thought I was going to. The musical numbers are fun even if they are fairly cheesy. Who doesn’t like cheese though?
[John] I suspect there are some people out there who aren’t big cheese fans.
[Lana] Pshaw!
5. A Christmas Carol (2019)
Directed by Nick Murphy
Starring: Guy Pearce, Andy Serkis, Stephen Graham
[John] How do you say 'no' to Guy Pearce and Andy Serkis? This is a dark version and definitely begins in stark contrast from the majority of versions to which we have become accustomed. I think, because of how different it is, this one may have just taken a place in my top five favourites. However, be warned - not only is this a long one, it is heavy and indeed portrays a Scrooge meaner and more deeply disturbed than any other I've come to know. This is not your family-friendly tale.
[Lana] First of all, get your popcorn and drinks ready before this one begins and then settle in for the long haul… emphasis on long. The movie itself was so different from any other version I’ve ever seen. Parts of me liked it and parts of me didn't. The unique take was very interesting but I can't help wonder if they made Scrooge too irredeemable. He's just an unlikable fella.
[John] "An unlikable fella" may be too generous, honestly. In this one, he is an absolutely wretched and despicable human.
6. Blackadder's Christmas Carol (1988)
Directed by Richard Boden
Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie
[John] Hard to ignore this reverse tale as performed by this crew. Can't say much more. It made me laugh. Piggy wiggy woo.
[Lana] Sometimes the spirits should just leave well enough alone. I don't know how the carols in this haven't become instant classics. I dare you not to laugh.
7. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Directed by Brian Henson
Starring: Michael Caine, The Great Gonzo, Rizzo the Rat
[John] Christmas doesn't feel 'right' without the Muppets. I need this movie every year. No cheeses for the meeces.
[Lana] A perennial favourite. You can't help but sing along. Who doesn't love a Muppet? Not only that but a stellar performance (well maybe minus the singing) from Michael Caine as a fantastic Scrooge.
[John] Sir Michael Caine, if you please. And, he does give song a good effort… he hits the notes better than either of us ever could. Anyone who has ever been in the car with us on a wee road trip, could easily attest to that fact.
[Lana] Obviously you aren’t in the same vehicle as I am… I sound wonderful. Oh, and before you say it, I am not delusional.
[John] Okay then… you’re not delusional, just tone deaf.
[Lana] You’re tone deaf.
[John] I can accept that.
8. A Christmas Carol (1997) (animated)
Directed by Stan Phillips
Starring: Tim Curry, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael York
[John] A sweet version with a puppy. How can you go wrong with a puppy? Oh, and Tim Curry, of course.
[Lana] While I absolutely love puppies, I have to disagree with John here. I don’t think Scrooge should have a dog no matter how cute it is. He wouldn’t be able to dedicate the love, time or money on an adorable pooch. Otherwise, it was a fun picture.
[John] How realistic do you want a cartoon to be? It is definitely not one I feel the need to watch every year but the puppy did help it along. And, pups have been known to help people become better people. Some old misers are quite loving towards their pups, you know. Maybe this Scrooge does better with the pup off-screen?
[Lana] No, pre-redemption Scrooge doesn’t deserve a puppy because he doesn’t have the love to give. Give that puppy to Tiny Tim immediately (fully financially cared for, of course).
9. Mr. Scrooge to See You (2013)
Directed by Steven F. Zambo
Starring: David Ruprecht, Matt Koester, Shannon Moore
[John] Well. So... um... it's... innovative? It begins one year after Scrooge has his awakening. Things go off the rails almost immediately. Gosh. This one was a miss. A big, glaring, flashing neon miss.
[Lana] So, this movie was... well, let's just say it was... this is the part where I tell you about the things that I liked about this movie...
[John] I've got it for you... They thought outside of the box. Coloured outside the lines. That's usually a good thing, yes?
[Lana] Not what I was thinking but… okay. Remember when our parents used to say, “If you can’t say anything nice…”
10. A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (2017)
Directed by Richard Boden
Starring: Derek Jacobi, Dave Hearn, Charlie Russell
[John] This is not the first time we've watched this one and it won't be the last. From the same director as Blackadder's Christmas Carol, this is a true favourite for us. When we need some cozy laughter, this most certainly does the trick. (If you haven't yet, check out The Goes Wrong Show for more of this fantastic crew.)
[Lana] The Mischief Theatre company is a fantastic comedy troupe. This is one of my favourite Scrooges ever. No matter how many times I watch it, it always makes me laugh. This is definitely not for the purists. It left me completely incapacitated with laughter.
11. A Christmas Carol (2000)
Directed by Catherine Morshead
Starring: Ross Kemp, Warren Mitchell, Liz Smith
[John] Well... so... it's a different take. That shouldn't be a bad thing. Though, maybe the movie should still be better. I had some medium-height hopes for this one and to be completely honest, it was so bad that I can barely remember it. I think I must have blocked it out as soon as it was finished.
[Lana] Not as bad as I thought it was going to be for a modern reimagining. I’m not saying it was great and Scrooge’s redemption wasn’t nearly as heart-warming as in most other versions. I’m glad I watched it…once.
12. Scrooge (1951)
Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst
Starring: Alastair Sim, Jack Warner, Mervyn Johns
[John] When we discussed this theme for 2020, I told Lana we had to include the Muppets and he told me we had to include our favourite traditional version with Alastair Sim. There was absolutely no reason for me to argue, as I love this version completely.
[Lana] Nobody does it better than Alastair Sim. He is perfect in his grumpiness, stellar in his mad ranting happiness and sympathetic on his road to redemption. This was my favourite when we started this project and it still remains my number one choice.
[John] Well, there you have it, friends. Another Christmas done and another 12 Movies for the 12 Days of Christmas accomplished.
[Lana] As for reading the Charles Dickens classic itself, John read it aloud for us and I must say that it was everything I hoped it would be and more. In my (much) younger days, if a movie that I was interested in was based on a piece of literature, I would always make a habit of reading the original before seeing the film version. It reached a point where I was always disappointed that the movie was never as good or at least was vastly different than my interpretation of the book. I wasn’t sure if that same feeling would hit me since I had seen so many versions of the tale before reading the book and one of which are among my favourite movies over all, let alone holiday movies. The book is, indeed, that much better.
[John] I must say that reading this story aloud was an incredible challenge against my tongue. I’ve never been great at tongue twisters and reading old English aloud is basically just a huge tongue twister for me. However, I loved taking in the story from the book. As with Lana, I always used to read the book before seeing the movie and had I done so with this story, I’d still have enjoyed most movie versions. Reading the story actually provided me with a deeper understanding of a lot of the details and nuances in the movie representations and I really appreciated that. I’m quite happy we read the story and just as with watching the movie every year, I look forward to reading the book again.
We truly hope you've all found and created special moments this year - not only for Christmas or the specific holiday you might (or might not) celebrate, but for all the days of 2020. Globally, it hasn't been an easy one and we hope you've had some fun along the way. Please let us know what you’ve done (or haven’t done) to enjoy this year.
Thank you for hanging out with us again... we so deeply appreciate you all.
Happy Christmas! Wishing everyone a healthy and merry 2021.
