Alastair Sim's tour-de-force performance as the ultimate miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, has almost single-handedly made this beloved version of Charles Dickens' story into one of the best-loved Christmas films of all time. Some of Britain's best filmmakers united behind Sim, who was joined by a delightful cast of accomplished and acclaimed English actors; creating what many today believe to
Alastair Sim's tour-de-force performance as the ultimate miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, has almost single-handedly made this beloved version of Charles Dickens' story into one of the best-loved Christmas films of all time. Some of Britain's best filmmakers united behind Sim, who was joined by a delightful cast of accomplished and acclaimed English actors; creating what many today believe to be the best and most faithful production of Dickens' immortal tale. Cranky and curmudgeonly Scrooge learns the error of his unkind ways and is taught the true meaning of the holidays when he is visited by the ghost of his late business partner and the spirits of Christmas past, present and future. Bonus Features: Audio Commentary by Marcus Hearn & George Cole, "Spirit of Christmas Past" - George Cole remembers Alastair Sim, "Richard Gordon Remembers George Minter & Renown Pictures", "Charles Dickens - His Life & Times", Bonus Colorized Version, Original American Theatrical Trailer, Original British Theatrical Trailer, Before & After Restoration Comparison, Optional English & Spanish Subtitles, Optional Narrative for the Blind, Photo & Press Book Gallery, Cast Bios, "Scrooge" (1935 Seymour Hicks Version) Specs: 2-DVD9s; Dolby Digital 5.1; 86 minutes; B&W / Color; Aspect Ratio: B&W Restored Version - 1.33:1; Optional 16x9 Enhanced for Widescreen Monitors; Colorized Version - 1.33:1; MPAA - NR; Year - 1951; SRP - $19.99.
This is the desert-island choice of the many versions of A Christmas Carol, with a magnificent, full-bodied portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge by Alastair Sim that leaves everyone else in the dust. Lean and direct, this film's version of the story wastes no time trying to impress viewers with the magical nature of the spirits' visitations. Director Brian Desmond Hurst keeps the focus on Scrooge's life story, beautifully simplifying and underscoring the theme of lost women with a haunting musical refrain from the folk song "Barbara Allen." Sim's commitment to the role is at times astonishing; his Scrooge's Christmas-morning ecstasy is a marvel of giddy technique. Watch for Patrick Macnee (Steed in The Avengers) as the young Jacob Marley--the actor made his screen debut in this 1951 production. --Tom Keogh
On the DVD This ultimate collectors' edition is crammed with special features, on both discs.
Amazon exclusive video: George Cole, who played the young Ebenezer Scrooge, reflects.Watch here
Find out what's new on this restored version of A Christmas Carol. Watch here
Never-before-seen U.S. and U.K. trailers. Watch here
Film (and Charles Dickens) fans won't want to miss a single screen. The audio commentary by Marcus Hearn and George Cole adds depth and perspective to Sim's amazing performance, and the groundbreaking special effects for the time. Cole also gives a homey remembrance of working with Sim during World War II and living in the English countryside to avoid the Blitz.
One of the most compelling extras is a short bio of George Mintner, the film's executive producer who would go on to found his own successful distribution company, Renown Pictures. An unlikely film mogul, the British Mintner was shy and bookish, but managed to build a reputable mini-studio in the '50s, out of the Hollywood limelight. He produced mostly B-movies, though after A Christmas Carol (originally titled Scrooge), he produced another Dickens adaptation, The Pickwick Papers. There's a great mini-bio of Dickens, who grew up in the poverty that later fascinated him in his writings. Other extras include the colorized version (what were people thinking back in the '80s?), cast bios, original trailers, and a features that more film companies might want to consider, an optional narration for the blind. Nothing is left out for film fans--God bless us, every one.--A.T. Hurley
Beyond A Christmas Carol
1938 version starring Reginald Owen
1984 version starring George C. Scott
1999 version starring Patrick Stewart
Stills from A Christmas Carol
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
PRESENTED IN ORIGINAL 1.37:1 FORMAT:
This 2-disc restored 1951 edition of the timeless classic is presented in the ORIGINAL 1.37:1 format. If only other studios would pay the same attention to detail with their "restored" movies. It may seem like a small difference, but where would YOU trim off an equal amount of a famous painting in order to cram what was left into a smaller frame?
Scrooge 1951:
This version of the classic story by Dickens is my favorite. Alastair Sim brought more life, for me, to the character of Scrooge than any other actor that has played the role. The reunion between him and his nephew on Christmas Day causes a welling in my throat, and tears to my eyes simply by thinking about it, where this actor's portrayal touched more closely to my soul.
Beautiful restoration of classic film:
This 1951 adaptation of A Christmas Carol used to be shown on at least one TV station every holiday season but disappeared in recent years. I consider it the best one and missed it so I bought the DVD. The quality is excellent. There is also a 'colorized' version included but I think colorizing original black and white films is pretty ridiculous. So we watched the black and while and loved it once again.
Fantastic Service:
I can't believe I ordered in the pm and received it the next am. Wow, best service ever on line.
