Muppet Christmas Carol

Brian Henson directs his late father's creations in the Charles Dickens classic, the best known (and most oft-filmed) Christmas story of all time. Michael Caine plays the old miser Scrooge with Kermit as his long-suffering but ever-hopeful employee Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as Cratchit's wife, and a host of Muppets (including the Great Gonzo as an unlikely Charles Dickens) taking other primary roles in this bright, playful adaptation of the somber tale. Or at least it starts brightly enough--the anarchic humor soon settles into mirthful memories and a sense of melancholy as the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future take Scrooge on a journey of his lonely, wasted life. Michael Caine makes a wonderful Scrooge, delightfully rediscovering the meaning of life as fantastic creations from Henson's Creature Shop (developed specially for this film) take the reins as the three ghosts. While the odd mix of offbeat humor and somber drama undercuts the power of Dickens's drama, this kid-friendly retelling makes an excellent family drama that adults and children alike can enjoy. --Sean Axmaker

Charles Dickens' classic holiday story sparkles with humor and whimsy in the hands of the always hilarious Muppets! Michael Caine stars as penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge in a performance that's anything but "bah humbug!" Alone on Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by ghosts who transport him to his past, present, and future -- and it's not a pretty sight! But along the way he comes upon poor, kind, humble Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog) and his family, including Tiny Tim who teaches Scrooge the true meaning of Christmas. Complete with original music and dazzling special effects, this heartfelt holiday movie is exceptional entertainment your family will enjoy for every Christmas to come.

Customer Reviews:

This movie is now perfect.
This is my favorite film adaptation of the Christmas Carol. I owned the VHS version for years and wore it out with multiple viewings every Christmas. I always felt the song "When Love is Gone" was contrived and completely out of place in the film, I even went so far as to play director and told my wife exactly where I thought that scene should be cut. When I found out this version of the DVD was being released, in Widescreen and without that stupid song, I was elated.

IMHO this version of the movie is PERFECT!
--2006-12-06

BUY THIS DVD!!
I own it on VHS and had to get it on DVD. Perfect for adults and children. Timeless with amazing songs. The best Christmas movie, as well as the best muppet movie.

--2006-12-06

I LOVE this movie but...
I am sooo dissapointed that the song "Love is Gone" is not on the widescreen version. I have loved that song since I was a kid. I know it is on the full screen, extended version but I don't understand why they couldn't have made both widescreen and full screen the same version of the movie. The extended one is so much better.
With that being said it is still one of my favortie Christmas movies ever and I will continue to watch it year round just like I did with the video version :-)
--2006-12-05

Light the lamp, not the rat!
This is the one Christmas movie that I watch every single year. If you like muppets, buy this movie.

To clarify, the DVD release contains two versions of the movie. The wide screen version is the original theatrical version in which the song between Scrooge and his fiance does not appear. This was not cut out for the DVD--the the original version of the movie that was released to the theatre simply did not contain the song.

The song does appear in the full screen version which is the original-released-to-video version for which they reinserted the song.

The above information is from the Brian Henson commentary included on the disc. Mr. Henson quite liked the song and that is why it reappeared when it was released on video.

Myself, I'm thrilled to have the original no-love-song version since I always fast forwarded through it before. However, it appears that Disney simply put both versions of the movie as they are on the disc without cutting or adding.

As Gonzo says, "If you liked this, read the book!"
--2006-11-29

Love is Gone...FINALLY!
I couldnt have been happier when I read the reviews of all the people who were appauled by that god awful song being taken out. I bought it immediatly. Ever since this movie came out I have always skipped through that damn song....or it was the perfect opportunity to use the bathroom, smoke a cig, make popcorn, ect..

I love this movie and I always put it in when I'm baking christmas cookies. I'm not huge on widescreen...i actually prefer full screen. Annoying little black bars attract my attention. I must comend Disney on making this movie even better by removing a sentimental song from an otherwise funny movie. I'm not fond of romantic, tear jerkers...and that song was sappy as it could be. Now I can sit back and watch it without the remote in my hand waiting to fast forward.
--2006-11-22

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