Rating: 
Summary: The best adaptation of Dickens' wonderful classic...
Review: Few characters are a true part of culture. Various creatures come and go, but only a few really stick around for eternity.Ebenezer Scrooge is one of those rare characters such as George Bailey or The Terminator who are quoted or imitated or just remembered in everyday progression. How many times have you heard the word "Humbug" used to describe disgust or lack of enthusiasm? Every Christmas, there is a handful of films I watch. The most famous holiday tale of all time, "It's a Wonderful Life," is always a first priority. I also enjoy watching Clark Griswald blunder about in "Christmas Vacation," those nasty little critters wreak havoc in "Gremlins," the bitter TV manager in "Scrooged" get taken back in time by three unconventional ghosts, Kevin McCallister defend his house in "Home Alone," and Ebenezer Scrooge say "Humbug." "It's a Wonderful Life" is, and shall remain, the better of the two. But "Scrooge" is a close second for the most likable and good-hearted holiday film. It's the best Charles Dickens book adaptation, and having read Dickens' work, it stays very true to the original. The story has been done with muppets and cartoon characters and even Bill Murray (a fine modern reworking, too), but this is and will remain the best version simply because everything about it is extraordinary. I think that many of the "great movies" are those that grow finer with age, and "Scrooge" gets only better and better every time I see it. Any filmgoer or classical literature fan is familiar with the story. Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim at his cranky best) is an old man living in London, England, thriving off the fortunes of his business but not able to enjoy the splendor of his wealth due to pure greed that exists within his soul. Scrooge is the dreaded town miser, the guy everybody moves out of the way for so they don't have to suffer the humiliation of being glared at by him. He walks through the streets of London with a scowl on his face and a look of extreme hatred. Nobody likes Scrooge, and Scrooge likes nobody, so it's a win-win situation. One Christmas Eve, after commanding family man Bob Cratchit (Mervyn Johns) to come to work the following morning, he retreats to his dark manor and is visited by four ghostly figures: his old friend and business partner, Jacob Marley (Michael Hordern) is the first, warning Scrooge that he will be visited by three more fellow unearthly beings. Scrooge is indeed visited by the various ghosts, first by The Ghost of Christmas Past (Michael Dolan), who takes Ebenezer Scrooge back in time to the point in his life when money meant nothing to him and happiness and love was everywhere. Then The Ghost of Christmas Present (Francis De Wolff) appears, showing Scrooge how other less fortunate beings such as Bob Cratchit are enjoying their Christmas, despite the fact that there is much sorrow and misery surrounding them. (Joy comes from the inside, remember?) Bob's son, Tiny Tim (another cultural icon), is a crippled boy who manages to look past the problems of life and appreciate the fine things. "God bless us, every one," he says. It's the best line in the movie because it means so much. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (C. Konarski) is the last of the spirits, giving Ebenezer a horrifying view into the future and the fate of his demise. This is Scrooge's ultimate wake up call, and the morning after (Christmas Day), Scrooge finally learns how to appreciate the fineness and pure joy of life. For greed, despite Gordon Gekko's prophecy, is not good. Alastair Sim isn't just good as Scrooge, he completely embodies him. He's grumpy and frumpy and in a split second manages to turn Scrooge into a likable character towards the end -- a character no longer driven by hatred and malice but rather by love and kindness. This is a universal theme as old as the days -- money isn't true happiness -- and "Scrooge" is the most clear and evident and believable example of this. It's a true classic story in the sense of the meaning, and not only does it deserve to be remembered as a fine story, the film itself deserved to be remembered as the classic it is. Over the years, Dickens' tale has been giving some acceptable and mediocre film treatments, and "Scrooge" is without a doubt the best of the best. From acting to set design, I can't imagine that, if Dickens were alive today, he'd find a single thing wrong with the adaptation of his beloved novel. Some movies are just fun, while other movies actually conceal important messages. "Scrooge" is, without a doubt, one of the most important and moralistic films ever made. Dickens' tale is one of the most black-and-white examples of greed vs. happiness, and the screen treatment is extraordinary: a story of learning to appreciate life instead of humbugging it. After all, nobody likes a humbugger.
Rating: 
Summary: A good film marred by deviations from the original story
Review: This 1951 adaptation of A Christmas Carol, starring Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge, is hailed by many as the best adaptation of Charles Dickens' timeless Christmas story. Certainly, it is a very good movie more than capable of bringing a tear to your eye as you witness Scrooge's rebirth as a man who vows to keep the Christmas spirit in his heart every day of the year, but I must admit being rather bothered by the way this presentation oftentimes wanders far afield of the original storyline. The film does tell the story in all of its larger facets in the proper way, but it often takes its own path toward the predetermined destination. This is noticeable very early on, as some of my favorite lines from the story are paraphrased and expressed in different terms than what I was expecting. Such a reworking of the dialogue becomes a trademark of this production, but this in and of itself is something of a quibbling matter. What strikes me as much more serious, however, is the fact that this film presents scenes that do not exist in Dickens' story and to some degree rewrites what actually was written. All of these innovations, which I see as quite needless, take something away from the full effect of this powerful story upon me. It is interesting to watch the manner in which these filmmakers of mid-century presented the four spirits that visit Scrooge in the early hours of Christmas morning. Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future are basically shown as mere reflections of sorts, very lightly translucent beings, and I must say this works fine, especially since this is a film of the heart in which special effects are largely incidental. I would have liked to see Marley's mouth drop open dramatically once he removed the sling from his head, but there were many little things such as this I looked for in vain in this particular adaptation. Of much more consequence, though, are the changes and additions to the script one finds here. As the film progresses, Dickens' story is at times drastically rewritten. We are shown the death scene of Scrooge's beloved sister, non-Christmas scenes featuring the avaricious young duo of Scrooge and Marley (with the young Marley played by Patrick MacNee of future Avengers fame) making their way up in business, and other scenes Dickens never described directly. Most galling of all, at least to me, is the view we have of Scrooge's one-time fiancé's life as a mature woman; it could not be more different than the life Dickens describes to us. The looks at Christmases past seem to take undue time here, leaving the visions of present and future Christmas days too little time to achieve their utmost effect. Even Tiny Tim is in a sense given the short shrift. The film makes up for its shortcomings to some degree at the end, but even Christmas morning is marred by the insertion of a servant you won't find in Dickens' original story. Alastair Sim makes a memorable Ebenezer Scrooge, but his performance falls far short of George C. Scott's later portrayal of Scrooge as Dickens envisioned him. This 1951 version of A Christmas Carol is a notably good retelling of the Christmas classic, but I much prefer adaptations that present the story as it was written.
Rating:
Summary: Alastair Sim plays "Scrooge", Hermione Baddeley
Review: The 1951 British film stars Alastair Sim as "Scrooge". Sometimes a black & white film is really good for effect. But the print of the film is so bad, it might be best to see a computer-colorized version. I originally saw this version of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" in its black & white form and it scared the dickens out of me. So this review is for the colorized version. Excellent performance as "Jacob the Ghost" from Michael Hordern. Patrick Macnee plays "Young Marley". Hermione Baddeley (Mary Poppins [1964] and the CBS tv series "Maude" in 1974-77]) plays "Mrs. Cratchit". I can't say this is the best version and probably young children will not like this one. At end of film, it says "The End" "Scrooge". "Scrooge" was the original title of this British film. The British also did this version of "Scrooge" in 1935 with Sir Seymour Hicks and in 1970 with Albert Finney as "Scrooge".
Rating:
Summary: The perfect Scrooge
Review: Charles Dickens' timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his redemption on Christmas Eve has been endlessly adapted but never more effectively than in this 1951 production in which the great Alastair Sim lays claim to the miserly Scrooge as decisively as Boris Karloff did the role of the Frankenstein monster. Aside from Sim, what makes this version so special is director Brian Desmond Hurst's ability to convey both the grim aspects of the tale as well as the joy. Until the climax, this is, after all, a dark tale of one man's journey from bitterness and greed to a truimphant rebirth as a man of love and compassion. Perfectly cast, with Mervyn Johns splendid as Bob Cratchit and Ernest Thesiger (Dr. Pretorious of "Bride of Frankenstein") delightfully morbid as an undertaker as cadaverous as his clients, no other version succeeds as well as this one. And in black-and-white, it's as glorious as the first snowfall of winter.
Rating: 
Summary: George C. Scott was the better Scrooge...
Review: The superior version of "A Christmas Carol" featured George C. Scott in the title role. This version should have been retired with the Edsel.
Rating:
Summary: Alastair Sim IS Scrooge!
Review: I have loved Alastair Sim's version of "A Christmas Carol" for as long as I can remember; the film certainly belongs in every collection. Sim was essentially a comic actor, which is why his portrayal of Ebeneezer Scrooge is so believable. Sim's Scrooge is a basically good and trusting man who has allowed himself to be hardened by some unfortunate life experiences. But as he is visited on Christmas Eve night by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, we see Scrooge's cold-hearted facade gradually stripped away until he wakes up on Christmas morning a giddy, light-hearted "child." This scene is the movie's emotional peak; it is cathartic to watch Sim as he dances joyfully around his bedroom. Afterwards, it is touching to watch him try to right his past wrongs by accepting his nephew Fred's invitation to Christmas dinner (while the lovely Scottish ballad "Barbara Allen" plays in the background), and by promising to help the poor family of his clerk, Bob Cratchit. Though Sim dominates the film, the other cast members are fine indeed, while the score, by Richard Addinsell, evokes the Dickensian mood superbly (particularly memorable are the dark, pounding chords heard during the opening credits). The sets and lighting, though rather low-budget for a 1951 movie, also contribute to the atmosphere of Victorian grittiness. For me Alastair Sim's is the definitive version of "A Christmas Carol," while Sim himself will always BE Ebeneezer Scrooge.
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Summary: Must Have / One of the All Time Greatest Scenes in Film
Review: I've seen a lot of versions of "A Christmas Carol", but Alastair Sim is the best Scrooge, and portrays him as completely believable in all spectrums of Scrooge's moods and states, which is rather difficult. And the scene where Jacob Marley screams and rattles his chains is still spine-tingling, even after all these years. But most memorable is the Ghost of Christmas Present, when he reveals the two gaunt horrific children ... "this boy is ignorance, and this girl is want. Beware them both, but most of all beware this boy". And when Scrooge challenges why these tattered waifs aren't better cared for, the Ghost disappears into the night, shouting Scrooge's earlier words back to him ... "are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses? ARE THERE NO PRISONS? ARE THERE NO WORKHOUSES?", and his words repeat into deafening echos ... Somehow the soundtrack of this scene in this old, old film is one of the most chilling and haunting scenes and most emotionally charged moments I've ever seen in any film.
Rating:
Summary: The ONLY version!
Review: Always the best no matter how many other versions I have seen.
In black and white ... it almost appears as if "You Are There!"
Rating:
Summary: "a Christmas Carol"
Review: " a Christmas Carol" December 12, 2003 The Alastair Sim version of Christmas Carol is
the most perfect of the all the movie versions.
In black and white, brooding, with sparse sets and music
not distracting,grim detail, the ghost story that Dickens conveyed of a cold, bleak England and one man who lived there. Jacob Marley hoping to help Scrooge
understand the cruelty of his ways and not suffering the same
fate! The souls throwing money to trying to repent from what
they did not do in life, made me cry.
(Note: see Patrick MacNee as the young Marley) The ghosts are not gentle in
showing Scrooge the errors of his ways.
The ghost of Christmas present
telling Scrooge that 'want(the girl) and ignorance(the boy) cling to him at this time of year.
"Beware of both
but most of all beware the boy!"
Most insightful and true to this very day. The changes in Scrooge after his ghostly visits are not phoney.
He is elated, sorrowful, and humbled by his experience.
A wonderful movie to be shown anytime of the year.
It's just a very special movie for all the family.
Rating:
Summary: This Movie is No HUMBUG!!
Review: =====> Many people know this story written in 1843 by Charles Dickens (1812-1870). Old Ebenezer Scrooge, the meanest miser in London, overworks and underpays his clerk, Bob Cratchit, whose small son, Tiny Tim, is crippled and may soon die. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge has a vivid nightmare. He is visited by three ghosts who change his life forever. This 1951 movie (originally filmed in black and white) that's about 88 minutes long is entitled (as the movie's opening credits indicate and despite what the DVD package states) "Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol." Of all similar movies made, this one stays closest to Dickens' original story. You can see this right at the beginning of the movie where we are shown a cover page from a manuscript that's written in Old English font. On this page it says: "Stave I: Marley's Ghost." Dickens divided his "Carol" into musical staves rather than chapters. Then the narrator utters one of the most famous sentences in English literature: "Old Marley was as dead as a doornail." The story then unfolds from this point on. What really makes this story come alive (and makes the movie a classic) is Alastair Sim's performance as Scrooge (not to mention the fine supporting performances). It seems that Sim's Scrooge is not so much haunted by actual ghosts as tormented by inner demons; the ghosts are "analysts" who force him to confront his traumatic self. Once this confrontation is complete, we see Scrooge's monumental transformation into joy. (It's this transformation that Sim the actor does so well.) The emotional impact of his delirium of joy is actually cathartic for the movie viewer as well, filling the viewer with good feelings. It should be mentioned that it's important to view this movie in black and white because this seems to aid the powerful emotional impact of Scrooge's (as played by Sim) transformation into joy. For some reason, this impact is lost when the movie is in color. The strong background music for this movie seems to add to each scene. As well, the sets are visually stunning. They spread before us a vivid picture of nineteenth century London. One of my favorite scenes in the movie occurs after Scrooge's transformation. He visits his nephew Fred's home where a party is underway. This scene also has great emotional impact on the movie viewer. We also get to see Scrooge's (as well as Sim's) polka dancing talent. In conclusion, be sure to see this magical movie. By doing so, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet To Come will cast their powerful spell on you also!! <=====>
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