How A Christmas Carol Perfectly Demonstrates Five-Act Structure
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- Опубликовано: 17 дек 2020
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We look at how Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" is a simple, memorable example of five-act story structure.
Listen to the LFTS team discuss A Christmas Carol in-depth on our podcast: apple.co/3r98uGK
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Video Produced by: Michael Tucker ( / michaeltuckerla )
Written by:
- Tricia Aurand ( / triciajeana )
- Brian Bitner ( / brianbitner )
- Alex Calleros ( / alex_calleros )
- Michael Tucker
Edited by: Alex Calleros
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We hope you have a very happy holidays! Visit audible.com/LFTS or text "LFTS" to 500-500 for a free trial of Audible. You can listen to the LFTS team discuss A Christmas Carol further on our podcast: apple.co/3r98uGK
I've already been using Audible for years but I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas, and to thank you for your keen insights and the great subject matter that you choose to impart them. There's a lot of white noise on the Internet and on RUclips in particular there is no shortage of film essayists/reviewers. You've done a wonderful job making yours stand out and earn your viewers' time.
Hey Michael, do you write movies, I'd figure I would have little shot if you weren't
Thanks for answering the long-standing question: What do The Avengers and A Christmas Carol have in common?
Who asked that question?
@@carlosroo5460 the man they call "nobody"
An answer I never knew I needed.
okay but can we talk about how cute tiny tim was in the muppet's Christmas carol
unfairly cute, is the answer.
God bless us, every one!
I adore Tiny Tim in Muppet Christmas Carol! He's my favorite character 🥺
Muppet Tiny Tim will always have my heart!
Muppet’s Christmas Carol is the best one, fight me.
Judging from the comments you're probably in good company.
musicals usually take away the immersion, I think the only good strong point is Michael Kane.
Music and Albert Finney put up a good fight
ruclips.net/video/D-h5iLO5geU/видео.html
There’s a reason he used it for the thumbnail.
I have to back up the other call out of the Albert Finney version. By far the best in this humble man’s opinion 🎄🎅
The "Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come" scene from Muppet Christmas Carol used to scare the bejeezus out of me
It's really dark! Even Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat can't deal with it and leave the movie for a bit!
same i was terrified hahaha
@@LessonsfromtheScreenplay It's good, but I always thought the Jim Carrey version had the best Ghost of Christmas Future. I thought it was really clever how they just made him a long shadow silhouette.
The mystery grim reaper that ghost is
Also has Cane's best performance of the entire film
My family watches A Muppet's Christmas Carol every December 24th, without fail. It's just too good.
I cry at every version of a Christmas Carol, I read the novel one year when I was sleeping on friends couches for a few months. didn't think a video essay would be enough to set off the waterworks lol
lol
I'm with you on this. I too have something in my eye.
I wish The Muppets did more movies of classic stories. Take my money.
Something like Kermit's Divine Muppetry?
Yes, please make a muppets Saló or the 120 days of sodom.
You mean like they did with Treasure Island aswell?
50 shades of grey (ham?). Change my mind.
Someone did a version of 'One Day More' sung by the Muppets, all of which made me realise how much I would love for Muppets version of Les Miserables.
Wiped some unexpected tears away as I finished this... something about the power of Dickens and the redemptive arc of this narrative just touches my spirit in a completely unique way. A great video essay like this doesn’t just tell us something new about our favorite stories - it reminds us why we love those stories in the first place, and deepens our adoration for them even more.
“I know the story of A Christmas Carol like the back of my hand!”
“Prove it!”
“Alright! Um.. there’s a little mole on my thumb, and um, a scar on my wrist from when I fell off my bike...”
Well, a hand has a five-act structure, too.
No, no, don’t tell us your hand, tell us the story!
No, no, no, don't tell us your hand, tell us the story!
muppet's christmas carol is objectively the best adaptation
Oh get off it. There have been countless versions of this story, and obviously some of them are way better! Like...
...
... dang, you're right.
Muppet Christmas Carol is the go-to movie for getting back the feeling of Christmas when I was a kid
Thank you for including the Alastair Sim version.
I read the book for the fist time this season. Was happy to finally read the source text for one of my favorite stories. I loved how you used clips from multiple different adaptations! Great video, as always!
Thanks Garrett!
The Alistair Sim version is the best IMO because it shows in the second act more detail into why Scrooge goes from caring to cold. Including not being close to his own nephew, turning his back on his old boss and going into business with Marley. Scene by scene, it was a methodical turning of the screw into a cold money-loving man. Elements that weren't in the original book but added a lot to the making of who Ebenezer was in his youth.
100% agreed! This is my number 1 version of all the movies and tv adaptations! I especially like how they take the time to address his coldness to Fred as he is technically what took Scrooge's sister away from him (that's an even more important arc than the Cratchet family on a personal level). By making it more than Belle leaves, we can see that it's a lifetime of choices, bitterness, and descent into the unforgivably terrible man he becomes. Add to that the Ghost of Christmas Present being in-the-moment emotionally (joy and bitterness are all experienced equally and the contrast shows as he indirectly questions Scrooge's ideals) and the most terrifying version of The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come (something about its simplicity just makes it better than the others) and you have a recipe for peak Christmas Carol!
I’m just very happy that you used the Muppets as the thumbnail. It’s the best version.
*Muppets Christmas Carol is EVERYTHING.* Wouldn't be christmas without it.
Also, I've just thought to myself that A Christmas Carol could be used as a kind of guide to overcoming pain, grief, self-loathing, lonliness brought on by fear, trauma or alienation (self-imposed or otherwise) and how looking both backwards and forwards can grant us context for, acknowledgement and understanding of, ourselves, our lives and how others have impacted us - and of course, how we have impacted and impact, others. There's a lot to unpack actually.
I may have to think more about it. I may be on to something lol
But nice video! :)
Using a different version of the story for each act was genius, great video
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
🎄 Merry Christmas! 🎄
Thanks now in crying!! MERRY CHRISTMAS
"Tiny Tim is such a cheat character" hahaha YEP (was thinking about that line from the podcast all through this video)
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Merry Christmas!
I love the way this edits together different versions of the movie. It's very clever.
I’ve been waiting since my childhood for someone to give the Muppets Christmas Carol some recognition!
The most underrated version of the story is by far... Bill Murray’s “Scrooged”
Each year, for about 2 weeks around the holidays, the TV networks in my country show every American Christmas themed movie imaginable. "Scrooged" is the one I'm the most excited to watch every time, and it's been decades lol
This and Scrooged are best versiom of the story for me.
I love Scrooged
My vote is for the musical Scrooge
ruclips.net/video/D-h5iLO5geU/видео.html
Eh... Groundhog's day is a better Bill Murray film that covers the same ground. Scrooged is a bit of a mess.
I watched the Alistair Sim version very recently, but I grew up with the George C. Scott and Patrick Stewart and especially the Muppet versions, love those versions.
I cried at 7:30 Merry Christmas to you all guys
Underrated version: Doctor Who’s A Christmas Carol
The best version! Such a great version, and it adds so many great layers and details.
You mean the one where there were fish in the sky and a girl in the deep freeze?
As a rule I don't like the Doctor Who Christmas episodes much, but the twist at the end of that one was really good.
I was just listening to the podcast for this!
Awesome! Now maybe some of what we were saying will make more sense :P
This story always makes me cry. Im crying right now.
Oh, I remember the one with Patrick Stewart from my childhood! I'd love to give it a rewatch this Christmas.
I remember it from my... sigh... mid-20s.
But I love that people were exposed to this growing up and that became "their" version. This must be what the George C. Scott fans feel like. And they're probably thinking that's what the Alastair Sim fans must have felt like.
Funny enough how you brought up footage from the Richard Williams version because I just finished watching that one! 😊 Anyway, great breakdown analysis here, and I'm glad you showed the George C. Scott version too-one of my favorite adaptations
You got me emotional even a month after christmas
One of my favorite stories (book, play, musical, movie) ever!
I adored this analysis, thanks for uploading!
Glad you enjoyed it!
A Muppet Christmas Carol is the only version I watch, and I watch it every holiday season.
I find the lack of Mickey's Christmas Carol footage quite disturbing...
That’s the one I always watched...
I never knew of the 5 layered story arc! Wow, still learning new things; a great story, and a great analysis.
6:12 there are toad muppets in their drawing room and Fred's wife still has the stones to bag on Scrooge. That's a fiery lass, tis true.
One of my favourite Versions of a Christmas Carol is Blackadders Christmas Carol because of its darkly comedic twist on the original story's themes
I'm glad you used Patrick Stewart clips. That's the best version in my opinion.
A Christmas Carol is one of the greatest stories ever written! Thank you for covering it!!
Excellent presentation! Great use of footage to establish your points. Perfect arc.
Happy holidays. health for you and your loved ones
Very nicely written and shown. Thank you.
Wonderful as always. Thank you.
Thank you, Michael, for essay after essay of inspiration. Merry Christmas.
This was beautifully done. Thank you
Please make more videos...we miss you.
Thank you for this video. It is such a pleasant and clear reminder of story mechanics
Your story breakdowns are always spot on and emotionally engaging. God bless you man. Well done! Love from Lagos 🇳🇬
Loved this video. It's amazing how A Christmas Carol really has staying power, and I think the structure explained here is a big part of it. A well-written story will last.
‘Groundhog Day’ is the best version of the Christmas carol brought to film.
Amazing as always!!
Thanks! Luv from Portugal 🇵🇹
What an excellent guide to help with writing!
Absolutely
beautifully
I think what makes the Muppet version the best is how it captures the tone of the book. Dickens' language is very lighthearted and it feels like you're child hearing a bedtime story when reading it, even though what happens in it is actually rather dark and grim. By having puppets perform most roles but Scrooge, it keeps that feeling while dealing freely with the darker themes. It's balanced by Michael Caine's more serious acting. There are also some minor details that you just couldn't capture more accurately any other way, like how the Ghost of Christmas Present is described in the book to fit perfectly within any house, no matter how big or small, and then by being a puppet, it actually does - including a little mouse home in a wall.
This was excellent, thank you so much for another quality video!
No story ever makes me cry as much as this one ever version of it whether live action or mr magoo or Muppet I cry till my eyes and face are swollen
Great work as always!
Thank you for such a great video! I'm currently trying to get my head around the 5 act structure and this helped a great deal!
This is my FAVORITE movie❤️so thank you for covering it, because it’s great
I’ve analysed this novella so much holy fuck
I cannot overstate how happy it makes me to see all the Muppets Christmas Carol love! My favorite movie of all time. I will need to check out these other versions, though. Love how you devoted each act to a different film.
Would love to see an analysis on Dirk Gently's first season compared to the second.
The exposition scenes in the first season were so horrible they deserve a case study.
Thanks Michael! Happy holidays! Love all your videos on this and the gaming channel.
Awesome! Thanks Domdrok! :)
George C Scott is the best performance ever done for Scrooge, you can not change my mind.
A phenomenonal actor
MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS STORY!
☺️❤️ I have a long-term goal to watch every version
Great video, as usual. I love all of these versions of A Christmas Carol in their own way, but I was sad to see that my favorite version did not make the cut! I must be the only person who prefers the 1938 Reginald Owen version!
Excellent choice! 👌🏼
Thanks for another great video LFTS!
Our pleasure!
@@LessonsfromtheScreenplay
Merry Christmas everyone!
Act 4 is literally a Memento Mori moment! Anyone else think that the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is essentially a personification of death?
I think the dark hooded robe and skeletal figure are just a coincidence. Nothing to see here.
That's what most media versions (both played straight and parodied) depict the third ghost as, so I've just been going along with it.
What if all of the ghosts (past, present, future) are personification of death, just in different forms...
I played Scrooge in 7th grade. I had played the lead in Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors the year before.
Merry Christmas!
Great video, as always :)
That scene where Jacob Marley comes to life at the front door still gives me nightmares to this day and I"m a 38 year old grown man.
I just had a school subject about this, Michael, you saved me with this very well explained video, thank you! keep up the great videos.
Also I want to make a video suggestion about Tenet and what you think about it :)
My Christmas wish is for three ghosts to scare Jeff Bezos into giving his money away.
2020 version of the Christmas Carol.
That version been done. The National Theatre hosted Anthony Neilson's version. It was pretty good.
Flipped Scrooge to Bezos who is seeking to reconnect with his daughter. I prefer it cos her variation of Tiny Tim has agency and her own plotline. Tim is sweet but more a device than a character.
Scrooged is really good
This would really just mean Jeff Bezos giving his company away, since most of his huge "net worth" is just stock in the company he founded, which means it would probably end up just being run by some other rich guy.
His ex-wife gave away 4 billion in 4 months. The problem is that they earn it faster than they can give it away
Happy to see the Patrick Stewart version getting some love!
Bah! Humbug! And Merry Christmas, Michael!
Merry Christmas!
Brilliant idea to use different versions of A Christmas Carol for this video.
How pleasantly surprised to see your face!
Would love to see a breakdown of character development in Pleasantville! Love your work!
the animated one with Jim Carrey is VERY underrated
Well yeah, it's LITERALLY the book.
Thank you for including Muppet Christmas Carol- my absolute favorite version of the story.
Mine too! :) -MT
Tiny Tim? More like Tiny Angel!! I love him 😭😭
Thanks for the Muppet Christmas Carol recommendation! I had no idea that movie existed and is now one of my favorites!
Ahhhh I haven’t watched the muppets Christmas carol in so long brought tears to my eye :))
This is fantastic! Always love your videos and this one was amazing! I do have a question of where possibly climax and falling action come into play or if five act structures generally do not contain those story beats?
This is the PERFECT Christmas carol. And if you're only going to watch one, it's the essential Muppet movie.
I grew up watching the colorized Alistair Sim version. Love it.
Oh teach me the ways of happiness and joy my spectral friend 💖.
yessss
Love
Thanks for doing this! I have the hardest time with the 3-act structure. The 5-act structure makes much more sense to me although I know i have to master the 3-act form.
The Christmas season doesn’t start until I watch The Muppet Christmas Carol
Great video! Although, I was hoping for a clip from Scrooged!
*RELEASE THE BEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!*
There's something oddly cathartic about the story of a miserable old man having a massive change of heart and fixing his evil ways. Maybe it's because these days that feels like the stuff of fantasy, something we wish was part of real life more often than not.
Nowadays, you want the old geezer to drop over dead. Especially if that "Scrooge" is American.
@@jbvader721 The path to change is extremely hard. You need some equivalent of spirits to forcefully guide them. If such kind of resources are not possible, what you say becomes the shortest path to reduce harm.
Seriously, who are the two assholes who disliked this video? And why??
Thanks for the great stuff, Michael. Happy holidays:)
I noticed you mention a lot of books on your channel and it'd be interesting if you made a video or list of your personal recommendations! Thank you for another amazing video :)
edit: just realized you already have one!