The Muppet Christmas Carol is possibly the greatest adaptation of Charles Dickens' seminal novella, one that quotes liberally from the original text while encouraging kids to read it. The first Muppet project after director Brian Henson succeeded his late father Jim, the film is more celebration than satire and stands as one of the best Muppet movies before and since.

Fans may know that The Muppet Christmas Carol's initial release removed a song: "When Love Is Gone." The song was eventually re-released as a bonus feature when the film came to Disney+, but a version of the whole movie with the song reinserted is finally available as of December 9, 2022. With two versions available on the service, which edition of the classic Christmas movie should fans choose this year? The answer may be obvious, but here's why it's still a wise move for Disney to offer them both.

RELATED: GOTG Holiday Special Karaoke Video Invites Fans to Sing-a-Long With Marvel's Christmas Carol

Why 'When Love Is Gone' Was Removed From The Muppet Christmas Carol

Belle and the younger Scrooge sit together in the woods in The Muppet Christmas Carol.

In The Muppet Christmas Carol's theatrical release, Scrooge tells Belle that he is postponing their wedding because "there's not even enough for a decent home," but that he still loves her. Belle simply replies, "You did, once," and walks away. This arguably forces the audience to think more about Scrooge's motivations and how his pursuit of wealth has outgrown his love for Belle. For example, is Scrooge simply convincing himself the house wouldn't be good enough in order to procrastinate on their commitment or is Belle content to live in poverty, which Scrooge refuses to abide even for her?

Disney CEO Jeffery Katzenberg reportedly convinced Brian Henson to remove the song because it bored kids in the audience. The fact that The Muppet Christmas Carol has resonated with kids and fans for so many years in this incomplete form shows that the song isn't something the movie technically needs. It is, after all, a storytelling truism that less is often more. Audiences already know that Belle is disappointed with Scrooge's greed and neglect from their brief interaction.

RELATED: Rise of the Guardians Is the Perfect Underrated Classic To Watch This Christmas

What the Lost Meredith Braun Song Adds to The Muppet Christmas Carol

Scrooge eats dinner with the Cratchits in The Muppet Christmas Carol.

The strongest argument for watching the complete Muppet Christmas Carol cut among musical fans is that the finale, "When Love is Found," reprises the cut song. Scrooge mends his relationship with the Cratchits and with his community, but Belle never comes back into the story. Reprising their song without Scrooge mentioning her reinforces her absence subconsciously. This is meaningful because Scrooge's redemption isn't about fixing all his problems; it's about gratitude for the life he still has left.

The song has more musical continuity with The Muppet Christmas Carol. Belle sings, "We came so close to being close," in a tune that foreshadows lines from the climactic "Thankful Heart," as if that song reflects how Scrooge is finally regaining some of the happiness he was so close to having in this earlier scene. Belle then sings, "There's distance in your eyes tonight," to the same tune that Kermit-as-Bob-Cratchit sang, "There's magic in the air this evening" in "One More Sleep 'Til Christmas." Perhaps the similarity in the melodies represents how the humble frog has a happier life than Scrooge because he did pursue his love.

RELATED: A Grinch Theory Gives Max an Origin That Will Make Your Heart Grow 3 Sizes

Kermit as Bob Cratchit and Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit in The Muppet Christmas Carol.

However, the scene is compelling enough on its own as well. The conceit that the shadows of the past can't see or hear Scrooge is a hallmark of the Christmas Carol story, and having the older Scrooge duet with the younger version of his past love is a powerful usage of the musical format to reinforce this tragic element. The younger Scrooge doesn't duet with Belle because he's not ready to accept that she's obviously right about the direction of their relationship. The older Scrooge is finally ready to listen and engage -- only when it is many years too late.

Finally, the performances of the human characters make the scene a stand out even in this Christmas classic. Stage actor Meredith Braun has an expanded role as Belle, smiling sadly at the inevitability of their parting. The audience gets the impression Belle is being sincere when she wishes Scrooge well, even though she regrets how things have turned out. After the understated melancholy of Michael Caine's reactions to his old friends and lonely school life, Scrooge sobs openly as he watches Belle walk away for the last time.

Paul Williams and Miles Goodman's music has become synonymous with Dickens' Christmas Carol, and "When Love is Gone" is one of the film's most moving songs. The beauty of the song, as well as its importance to the movie as a whole, makes The Muppet Christmas Carol's extended edition the definitive version for returning fans, as well as those who have never seen it before. However, keeping both versions serves as a worthy archive for completionists and a nostalgic reminder of when "When Love Is Gone" was gone.

The Muppet Christmas Carol is available to stream on Disney+.