Christmas Movies: The Muppet Christmas Carol

For most people the definitive version of A Christmas Carol is the 1951 classic starring Alastair Sim. Whilst I do enjoy that version, my personal definitive A Christmas Carol stars a frog, a pig, and Michael Caine.

Next year this film will celebrate it’s 20th anniversary, so it stands as a testament to Brian Henson’s movie that it has stood the test of time. I remember the first time I watched it, naturally it was Christmas and I wanted to record it. I had spotted the listing for it in the Christmas Radio Times and promptly asked Santa for 3 blank VHS tapes. I was young and hadn’t learned about Long Play recording, so only a couple of hours into the Christmas Day viewing I was running out of space on my first blank tape.

Having already recorded The Pink Panther, I had barely 85 minutes of tape and kept a close eye on the timer throughout the film and got quite distressed when a red light started flickering just as Scrooge learned the last of his lessons and spread Christmas joy to all. The tape ran out just over the 3 hour point, surely it was a Christmas miracle.

Michael Caine brings class and weight to the role, playing it entirely straight he is perfectly cast as Scrooge. We believe his Scrooge is not a man to cross, this only makes his redemption later in the movie all the more believable. There is just so much charm and sparkle to this movie, I never go into the festive season without watching it.

The Muppets are back in cinemas next year, already a hit in America it marks a revival of the series. The parody trailers they made for the new film were impressive, I find both Jason Segel and Amy Adams likable actors and the promise of cameos galore makes it appear like a true Muppets movie.

However, there’s just something wrong about a Muppets movie without Frank Oz lending his voice to many of the iconic characters. So sit back, take a break from wrapping presents or last minute panic buying online, put your feet up, watch The Muppet Christmas Carol and get ready to feel festive.