8 votes

Finally, the uncut version of The Muppet Christmas Carol is back

6 comments

  1. Douglas
    Link

    The scene featuring the melancholy tune—which appears during a poignant moment in the past for Michael Caine’s Scrooge—was originally cut from the movie’s theatrical release. It was included in the film’s first VHS run, but removed from the subsequent DVD version, which featured the film’s theatrical cut. But starting December 9, you’ll be able to watch the movie in its entirety, as director Brian Henson originally envisioned, in time for its 30th anniversary. It’s a whole holiday miracle, as the reel that featured the song was recently unearthed and utilized to prepare a 4K remaster of the classic film.

    5 votes
  2. JXM
    Link
    Calling this "uncut" seems a bit weird. It sort of implies some MPAA meddling or something like that. Seems like they just removed it because executives thought it wasn't a good song for a kids...

    Calling this "uncut" seems a bit weird. It sort of implies some MPAA meddling or something like that. Seems like they just removed it because executives thought it wasn't a good song for a kids movie:

    Per Wikipedia:

    The song itself was cut from the original 1992 American theatrical edition of the film by Jeffrey Katzenberg of Walt Disney Studios, who believed that the following scene would not appeal to young viewers.

    I think it's important to note that this isn't a Star Wars situation, where they are actively suppressing one of the versions. They're both available now, which is great.

    4 votes
  3. hamstergeddon
    Link
    I have to admit I always fast-forwarded through that song when I watched it on VHS as a kid/teen. Maybe I'll appreciate it more as an adult? Definitely my favorite Christmas movie ever though.

    I have to admit I always fast-forwarded through that song when I watched it on VHS as a kid/teen. Maybe I'll appreciate it more as an adult? Definitely my favorite Christmas movie ever though.

    3 votes
  4. [3]
    skyfaller
    Link
    But it's on a streaming service, so you only can access it so long as you are subscribed, and they could arbitrarily remove it again for any (or no) reason at any time. If you want to archive...

    But it's on a streaming service, so you only can access it so long as you are subscribed, and they could arbitrarily remove it again for any (or no) reason at any time. If you want to archive stuff like this song, either it must be possible to buy physical media that you own, or resort to piracy. Given declining interest in / capacity for either solution, I guess we're probably just going to lose access to a whole lot of media. It's all going to fall down the memory hole!

    2 votes
    1. [2]
      Douglas
      Link Parent
      I'm so fortunate to have Movie Madness here in Portland, OR. It is near-impossible to find non-dubbed version of the terrific Spanish found-footage 2007 horror movie Rec. Literally every streaming...

      I'm so fortunate to have Movie Madness here in Portland, OR.

      It is near-impossible to find non-dubbed version of the terrific Spanish found-footage 2007 horror movie Rec. Literally every streaming service I checked (Amazon Prime, Vudu, Shudder) all have only an English-dubbed version.

      The only non-English dubbed version available to buy is not a NA-region Blu Ray, or-- what I wound up buying-- the Rec Trilogy on blu-ray, which makes you have to buy the subpar sequels 🙄 I'm donating them all to Movie Madness after I rip them.

      Had physical options not have been an option, I'd have been forced to resort to piracy. It's ridiculous how hard some streaming services make near-forgotten movies of the past.

      I'm only glad my other forgotten movies-- Abbott & Costello flicks-- are at least archived by Congress!

      3 votes
      1. AugustusFerdinand
        Link Parent
        The rise and forking of streaming services (the first article that popped up from 2019 said there were 271 streaming services at the time) is the primary reason I've gone back to sailing the high...

        The rise and forking of streaming services (the first article that popped up from 2019 said there were 271 streaming services at the time) is the primary reason I've gone back to sailing the high seas. My wife pays for the streaming services in our house and limits it to three, soon to be two as HBO offers next to nothing worth watching, she finished Game of Thrones, and I only use it for Robot Chicken to turn my brain off when I get my mini-bouts of insomnia.
        I get it, it's not a high demand movie for streaming or physical media, so it makes little sense in a capitalistic world to keep the original on hand. Worth noting though that Rec was immediately found on my rare movie tracker that is dedicated to original language films wherever possible. Archivists by another name.

        2 votes