A Christmas Carol (1982)
At first glance, there is not much to distinguish this low budget production by Burbank Films Australia, from any of the other adaptations that were ubiquitous during the seventies and eighties. However, attentive viewers will discover a few details that lift this particular version above the mundane. Firstly, this is the second animated adaptation to feature the voice acting of Ron Haddrick as Ebenezer Scrooge. He had previously voiced the character in Air Programs International's shorter version of A Christmas Carol in 1969, thirteen years earlier. Secondly, despite the modest production values, there are a few additional scenes taken from the source text by Dickens, that don’t usually make it most film and TV adaptations. It is these minor embellishments that compensate for the simplicity of the animation (during the opening scene, some background characters do not move).
Artistically, this production follows a very formulaic depiction of London in the 19th century as well as the key characters of the story. Scrooge is a balding, hook nosed, old man with a rasping voice. Dogs flee from him and he works in a shabby and drab counting house. There’s a quite startling realisation of Marley’s ghost complete with black shadows around his eyes, making him look like a member of Kiss. His message of neglected social responsibility to Scrooge is presented as a montage, which is quite innovative and effective. The Spirit of Christmas Past is on this occasion is a teenager in a chiton. It’s a novel look. Overall the voice acting is efficient and steeped in stylised British tropes with Cockney street urchins and upper class business men. The score by Neil Thurgate composer is also quite different from the usual fare.
Despite the simplicity of the animation, no doubt due to restrictions of the budget, this adaptation uses large sections of the source text as dialogue. It also visually realises some minor scenes that often get overlooked in most versions of A Christmas Carol. There is a scene where the poor are queuing outside the Baker’s on Christmas morning to have to have their dinner’s cooked. Also there is a greater focus on his failed relationship with Belle including a scene where Scrooge sees a vision of his ex-fiancée with her family and husband. A family that could have been his under different circumstances. This adaptation also strives to add a further human dimension to Scrooge as he reminisces over his past mistakes and gives in to his feelings. Overall, all though not in any way a definitive version of Dickens’ classic tale, there is sufficient here to make it different from others.
