The Muppet Christmas Carol

Brian Henson (1992)

82min

U Certificate

Review

Our Score

by David Parkinson

With Michael Caine as Scrooge, Kermit and Miss Piggy as the Cratchits, and Gonzo as Dickens, this is quite simply corking Christmas entertainment. Although the story has been Muppetised (with Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig, the owner of a rubber-chicken factory), no attempt has been made to water down the story, and the poignancy of the moral tale is as affecting as ever. Caine hadn't been this good in years, and his scenes with those hecklers supreme Statler and Waldorf, as the Marley brothers, are the highlight of the film. Paul Williams's songs are a bit hit 'n' miss, but who cares when you're having such a good time?

Summary

An embittered Victorian miser hates the festive season and people in general, but on Christmas Eve, the ghosts of his former business partners, the Marley brothers, visit him in the night. They warn him three spirits are coming to make him change his ways by showing him visions of the past, the present and what the future may hold. Comedy, with Michael Caine and Steven Mackintosh alongside the puppet characters.

Cast & Crew

Scrooge Michael Caine

Bob Cratchit (Kermit) / Rizzo / Beaker /Bean Bunny / Belinda Cratchit Steve Whitmire

Emily Cratchit (Miss Piggy) / Sam Eagle / Animal / Fozziwig (Fozzie Bear) Frank Oz

Charles Dickens (The Great Gonzo) / Bunsen Honeydew / Waldorf / Zoot / Betina Cratchit Dave Goelz

Peter Cratchit / Swedish Chef / Old Joe David Rudman

Statler / Floyd / Ma Bear / Tiny Tim / The Ghost of Christmas Present Jerry Nelson

Ghost of Christmas Present Donald Austen

Fred Steven Mackintosh

Clara Robin Weaver

Belle Meredith Braun

Director Brian Henson

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourTheatrical distributor: Park CircusAvailable on: video, DVD and Blu-rayReleased on: 23 Nov 2012

Comedy Children's Music

Full Episode Guide

When is The Muppet Christmas Carol on TV? Is it on Netflix?

Everything you need to know about the puppet version of Charles Dickens' classic Christmas story with Michael Caine