A Christmas Carol is a story that has been told, re-told and reimagined many, many times. This 1983 version puts all the familiar Disney cast of characters into the familiar roles of the Dickens classic. And once again, it’s the Disney touch that makes this adaption a worthy watch.
Mickey and his ‘crew’ slide so comfortably and perfectly into the Charles Dickens’ character’s boots. Scrooge McDuck is the perfect fit for Ebenezer Scrooge (naturally so, given the latter was the inspiration for the former in the first place). Mickey Mouse is seamless as the selfless, good-natured Bob Cratchet. Donald Duck is as cheery as you’d expect as Fred, and Goofy is as perfect as you’d imagine as a delightfully clumsy Marley.
Scrooge’s ghosts of Christmas also serve up wondrous use of classic Disney characters. Jiminy Cricket is an ideal ghost of Christmas past, Willie the Giant as the ghost of Christmas present, and the honour of the ghost of Christmas future goes to the ghastly foe Pete. There are also welcome appearances by Ratty and Moley of classic feature The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad as charity collectors. The cigar-chomping Big Bad Pete (that’ll be those “tobacco influences” Disney Plus warns us about) is definitely an interesting choice, with a dark turn late on as he prepares to hurl Scrooge into hell if the errors of his ways isn’t rectified.
Although running at just 26 minutes, Mickey’s Christmas Carol is a pretty packed yet well paced affair. Scrooge’s lesson is learnt within that time, with little pause for breath, but impressively doesn’t deter the story’s intended impact. It was originally released as a opener for the cinema re-release of The Rescuers, a tactic also used on The Rescuers Down Under with another adaption, The Prince and the Pauper, but is an excellent little feature in its own right. As far as Christmas goes, there are few better ways to spend less than thirty minutes if traditional Christmas tale and tradition Disney is what you’re looking for.