MovieChat Forums > The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) Discussion > 'When Love is Gone' is GONE!

'When Love is Gone' is GONE!

posted 12 years ago by ctpoet
16 replies | jump to latest

"When Love is Gone"
"When Love is Gone" was a song performed by the character Belle (Meredith Braun) that was cut from the original 1992 theatrical release by Walt Disney Studios, who believed that the scene would not appeal to young children. The movie plays with an obvious, jarring edit when the film is played with the song missing. Brian Henson objected to their decision, believing that the song was integral to the plot (the concluding song, "When Love is Found," is a direct counterpoint to it), and the song was subsequently restored to the VHS and laserdisc editions. This song was also cut from the 10th Anniversary Edition of the film released on DVD (widescreen only; however, the fullscreen version has the song). The song was also not included on the Blu-ray, or the DVD disc that is packaged with the Blu-ray combo pack released in 2012. Two other songs were written but dropped from the production early on: "Room in Your Heart", performed by Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker, and "Chairman of the Board", performed by Sam the Eagle. These songs were recorded, but removed from the script before filming began. Both songs appear on the motion picture soundtrack released by Jim Henson Records.

TERRIBLE! I am really sorry I bought the blu-ray.

[–] junstie 12 years ago

Yes I'm gutted this isn't in anymore, the last time I saw it was on my VHS version but I've done away with that and got the DVD and it's not in that, was not in the TV version on xmas eve either. It's a great song and shows how Scrooge was once full of life but becomes "cold", it's integral to the plot and you're right there's a reprise to it right at the end. Don't understand why it wouldn't appeal to younger kids, they love sad songs as much as anyone.

I love the film and my xmas really gets going once I watch this. I well up at the song "Bless Us All" when they're all at Bob Cratchit's house - Michael Caine's face is a picture - getting moisty eyed over muppets! It's the point where Scrooge realises the errors of his ways and changes. The harmonies are terrific - Paul Williams is a genius.

"we reach for you...and we stand tall...and in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all."

All these songs cut or otherwise are alive and well on YouTube!

[–] boll-weavil 12 years ago

This is the most popular observation on this board. Why not just read down some of the very thorough answers already given.
I'm one of the few who is glad to see the back of it. There's no place for wailing in the movie and its existence is so contrived just to give the film a theme song.It really slows it down......sorry

[–] arkay 11 years ago

I actually think that it's one of the best bits. This song had also been emitted from the German DVD release which is why I imported an English edition.

[–] Doc80 10 years ago

The song wasn't even in the theatrical version of the movie. The reason being was that they thought it slowed down the film and they were right. The sequence just doesn't work with the rest of the film. I've read many people say that it's needed to explain why Scrooge is crying and I say it doesn't because the crying is easily explained when Scrooge knows what is coming before they even view it and that he is crying over the fact that he let her walk away. I have the DVD that has both versions and I never watch it with this song in it.

[–] JustEs 11 years ago

I spot this on the FAQs:

Where can I find the uncut version of this movie?

The original 1993 VHS release had an additional scene not in the theatrical version, featuring the song "When Love is Gone." On the first DVD release in 2002, it was not included.

In 2005, a (Kermit's) "50th Anniversary Edition" was released, and it contains the theatrical and extended versions. The cover states "Anniversary Edition" at the bottom with "50" in the far left corner. The back will indicate in a green bubble, "Includes Widescreen & Extended Full Screen Version With Deleted Scene!"

But thanks for this - I won't get the blu-ray version, even if I'll bet the 3D is amazing in it.

[–] codyhoskins 10 years ago

I just watched the movie on Netflix and noticed it was gone on there too. It must be gone for good from every copy now and it's not a song I miss that much because it's a song that breathes too much passion from a girl who has just told her lover to *beep* off and it just feels like a huge stab in the heart for her to sing a loving tribute to lost love. It's the sort of song I wouldn't imagine people would like to quote or play in karaoke when they want to revel in passionate songs unless they're having really crappy days.

[–] wutanartist101 10 years ago

I grew up with this movie, and it continues to be my favorite Christmas movie. I had the VHS version with the song in it, so I never knew that it had been cut and was thoroughly disappointed that it was. It's a crucial part in Scrooge's change. Now when I watch it on netflix, I have to pause and go to youtube to listen to the song and then back to the movie, so it feels complete.

[–] abs_is_back 10 years ago

Same here, we always watched our original VHS that included the song. Watching it on Netflix today, the scene felt extraordinarily short and almost purposeless, as if Belle meant absolutely nothing to Scrooge, she says good-bye and leaves and suddenly Scrooge is absolutely devastated... over what? There are fewer than a dozen lines, and one person with us so had never seen it before said, "Well, what was THAT about?" I explained that there was a song missing in which Belle mourns what might have been and is gone, and Scrooge realizes too late what he has lost.

It was jarring again at the end when "The Love We Found" doesn't feel like the completion of a circle for Scrooge that it better emphasized with its companion song. When he meets Belle at Fozziwig's party, it's like a window of possibility opens where Scrooge can love and be loved and surrounded by good friends and fellowship. When he lets Belle go out of his life that window closes and he is alone, so removed from love that he doesn't even realize how much he's missing. Then at the end with "The Love We Found" Scrooge has chosen to open and jump joyfully through that window of possibility, and now he's surrounded by people he loves and who return that love full measure.

The 2 partner songs highlight the essence of the tale. They ARE the tale. By leaving out the first song, they make Belle a blip fringe character in Scrooge's life and it seems weird that all those years later he would miss her so. Contrary to "When Love Is Gone" slowing the pace, its absence makes the pacing awkward.

I know, I know, I'm being very impassioned about a Muppet movie. But its a Christmas tradition with our family since we first saw it on VHS and watch it several times during the year. We watched it today on Netflix (our VHS tape is out on loan) and until today I never knew about the cut; it was a rather big WTF moment!

[–] krazyj2472002 10 years ago

The 50th Anniversary DVD** has 2 versions: "Widescreen" and "Extended Full Screen." "THE Love Is Gone" is included in the Extended Full Screen version.
I am firmly in the camp of people who love the song and love the scene. Unless they could use some Disney magic to add more dialogue, the big breakup scene is ridiculously short and unemotional. "It was almost love. It was almost always..." How can anyone not like that song!
** I am talking only about the regular DVD version. I don't know about Blu Ray or 3D versions.

[–] Dash_Rendar 10 years ago

I hate to say it, but I kind of agree with the studio's decision to cut the song. It is beautiful, but it doesn't fit with the movie's tone and kills the pacing. When I watched the VHS version as a kid, I usually either fast-forwarded the scene or went to the fridge for snacks.

The only part I don't like about the omission is that the movie still shows Rizzo getting emotional and it looks strange without the full context.

[–] sillyhat 10 years ago

Yeah, I have to say I never cared for the song when I used to watch it on my VHS copy. Still, it seems a bit odd to be cut out entirely.

[–] IceboxMovies 10 years ago

Cutting this song is like cutting "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from Wizard of Oz. You cut away the heart.

The song is COMPLETELY necessary. We need that moment where Scrooge finds himself singing along with Belle and weeping.

After that experience, Christmas was never the same for Scrooge again. Belle's lyrics are burned in his memory that badly.

[–] Davejohnson316 10 years ago

Put it back in Disney, Katzenberg's not even with the company anymore.

[–] Patrilot 10 years ago

I personally never liked the song. Found it boring when I was younger, and even now I can at least appreciate the singing, but it kills the pacing of the movie. I'm ok with it being cut.

[–] Eyebrows 9 years ago

I never liked it as a kid but now I'm disappointed it isn't there.

It's the moment that turns Scrooge into a bitter man and although the shortened scene still shows this it's weirdly truncated and doesn't pack anywhere near the emotional punch of Michael Caine standing behind Belle and singing. He still remembers the words, it's a memory that's so vivid for him and explains his earlier "that's the only thing stupider than a Merry Chrisrmas".

Definitely needed, I don't think it disrupts the pace at all and I think slowing the film down for that scene actually makes it even better when the jolly Ghost of Christmas Present arrives.

[–] krazyj2472002 9 years ago