Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) (1951)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Luke B

  
  Perhaps not a definitive version, as there never could be one for this story. However, this is probably the most well rounded version. Great performances, especially from Sim, help to create a believable and emotionally taxing experience. The other high point of this film are the bits… More
  Perhaps not a definitive version, as there never could be one for this story. However, this is probably the most well rounded version. Great performances, especially from Sim, help to create a believable and emotionally taxing experience. The other high point of this film are the bits that are added. The book is expanded upon, with earlier scenes of Marley and Scrooge including an embezzling scam that shows their ruthless business technique. It all makes for a dense and almost perfect adaptation.

• danny d

  
  many still consider this the definitive film version of a Christmas carol, and in many ways it still is. alastair sim is brilliant as srooge, doing a great job of selling each emotion and change of perspective. despite this films reputation as the definitive version, its surprising… More
  many still consider this the definitive film version of a Christmas carol, and in many ways it still is. alastair sim is brilliant as srooge, doing a great job of selling each emotion and change of perspective. despite this films reputation as the definitive version, its surprising that this version also adds more to the story than most versions. especially during the visions of scrooges past, this film contains quite a few scenes not found in the novel or any other film version, thankfully each of the additions work really well to create a complete and compelling version of this wonderful story.

• Jennifer X

  
  this movie made me incomparably happy. christmas classic.

• Lanning :

  
  This one and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE are the holiday season for me. Alastair Sim's a fascinating actor.

• Mark K

  
  Amongst the many 'classic' adaptations of the famous story, the Alistair Sim is probably the most recognizable of the Christmas Carols over the years. It goes beyond the Dickens story with some new subplots that are often thought to be part of the story. it shows more of… More
  Amongst the many 'classic' adaptations of the famous story, the Alistair Sim is probably the most recognizable of the Christmas Carols over the years. It goes beyond the Dickens story with some new subplots that are often thought to be part of the story. it shows more of Scrooge as a younger man, and his rise in the business. Some of the characters, such as Scrooge's fiancee are renamed, but the story remains the same, and the Ghost of Christmas Past is returned to the more traditional creature of Dickens story. Also restored are some of the spookier elements of the book, such as the scenes following Scrooge's 'death' that he views, and the sale of his property by the den of thieves. Sim is effective in his transformation from vicious and miserly to reformed and happy, and its probably on this performance alone that the film has had lasting fame. His delivery of the classic lines before during and after his visits is spot-on, and in my view stage-like but memorable. The other characters also come off well, including the Fezziwigs. Watch for a very young Patrick Macnee (later of The Avengers fame) in the Young Marley flashback.

• Theta S

  
  A Christmas Carol is definitely one of the "fixtures and fittings" of Christmas as much as presents, Santa and the obligatory meal that ends up weighing a like paving slab until the end of December 25th. By this I mean, that it's a guarantee that there'll be… More
  A Christmas Carol is definitely one of the "fixtures and fittings" of Christmas as much as presents, Santa and the obligatory meal that ends up weighing a like paving slab until the end of December 25th. By this I mean, that it's a guarantee that there'll be several incarnations of this story on television during the holiday period. This is the first chance that I have managed to get around to seeing this, thanks to the suggestion of my friend Linda B. A lot of people see this film as the definitive on-screen version of Dickens' tale and I can see why. The staples of the original storyline are there which have inspired future versions from Tiny Tim staring into the Toy Store window (as in the musical version of Scrooge) to Scrooge scaring the life out of and dancing with Mrs Dilber (as in the recent Jim Carrey version of the tale). A good telling of this story stems from the power of the performance of the central character of Scrooge and Alastair Sim nails the part perfectly. The film enables him to play three aspects to the character - the grasping miser, the man who feels that he has no hope during his travels with the spirits and the man who gains redemption through the journey he takes. The younger Scrooge is portrayed by George Cole - better known as Flash Harry in the original St Trinians films and Arthur Daley from the British TV series "Minder" - and he gets the opportunity, alongside Sim, to portray aspects of Scrooge that are glossed over on-screen and referred to in print through scenes such as the passing of Scrooge's sister, his first meeting with Jacob Marley and his rise to wealth through some dubious business practices. The acting on display comes from the grand tradition of mid-twentieth century film where people acted as they did on stage - with powerful voices and grand gestures which adds gusto and colour to the performances. A fantastic telling of Dickens' classic tale.

• Cameron J

  
  Regardless of the majority's rule, I didn't find it to be the most effective incarnation yet. However, in spite of some rushing at the beginning, it is still a very well-acted, well-directed, generally well-paced and faithful adaptation to the timless classic and is most… More
  Regardless of the majority's rule, I didn't find it to be the most effective incarnation yet. However, in spite of some rushing at the beginning, it is still a very well-acted, well-directed, generally well-paced and faithful adaptation to the timless classic and is most definately worth the watch.

• Anthony V

  
  One of the best adaptations of this story.

• Alice S

  
  Excellent. Perfect atmosphere, the characters evolve without striking ... even the spirits show discretion and propriety, in good medieval tradition of ghosts.

• nefnie l

  
  I think this is one of the best versions out there.

• Sean S

  
  The classic Christmas movie, good to watch around , well, Christmas.

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