Product Description 0 Item Type: DVD Movie Item Rating: NR Street Date: 10/23/07 Wide Screen: no Director Cut: no Special Edition: no Language: ENGLISH Foreign Film: noSubtitles: no Dubbed: no Full Frame: yes Re-Release: no Packaging: Sleeve
Amazon.com 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
ScroogeAugust 16, 2010 bb23 This movie is my favorite out of all the scrooge movies, but the product was not what I expected, asked for the color version which I was told it was color when I ordered, but was sent the B&W.
A Christmas CarolAugust 6, 2010 Mr. Wonderful This is simply the best film version of A Christmas Carol ever made. To me, Alastair Sim is the quintessential Scrooge and no Christmas season is complete without our traditional viewing of this film. Every household should have a copy and be sure to watch it, together, to get into the proper caring mood for the holidays each December.
Why wouldn't you?July 27, 2010 Solar(Tyalgum, NSW, AUS) This is such a classic, why wouldn't you want to have this special collector's edition. This has the film in it's original black & white print, well restored and preserved thank god! As well as the film colourised, which i think in this instance is done well.
The DVD extras here are very good. The interview with actor George Cole is good to hear as he reminisces about working with Alistair Sim, and the film's director Brian Hurst.
I believe that Alistair Sim's Scrooge is the best characterization of Scrooge ever put on film. I feel the same way about the whole film in fact.
Some of Alistair's best scenes are at the end of the film, when he is ecstatically happy.
George Cole here plays Ebenezer Scrooge as a younger man, and he really is just a faint glimmer - if that, of his famous television character in later years of Arthur Daley in 'Minder'.
The 2nd disc has the much earlier 1935 Seymour Hicks version of Scrooge, which I must admit I haven't watched yet due to being very busy - but i look forward to it.
The feature commentary with Marcus Hearn and George Cole is very informative and interesting as well.
The BestJuly 23, 2010 C. Ferry(San Diego, CA, USA) The best version of this classic story. It seems beyond doubt that the English productions of Dickens' stories (and Victorian stories in general) are superior to any other. This production is almost completely faithful to the original story, and really captures the characters and period. It is not 20th century characters dressed in Victorian costume. This is the one to get!
The True Spirit of ChristmasApril 22, 2010 !Edwin C. Pauzer(New York City) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Spring and autumn are my favorite seasons, and I am in my glory as I have already swung back into golf action, but Christmas is a year-round preparation. Homage to Christmas stores must be observed, and bounties must be accumulated to ensure the next one is more festive than the last.
But waiting for good Christmas stories to come to TV are as elusive as a hole-in-one. With not one showing of the 1951 production of Dickens' "Christmas Carol," this past Christmas season I had had enough, and determined to remedy the situation. I bought this on DVD in its pure black and white version and one that has been colorized. I will be introducing this story to my great niece and great nephews as they plan their destruction of my home next Christmas.
There are several productions of "A Christmas Carol" besides the 1951 version, one before and several since, but none of them shine for sheer acting, drama, and direction as this one does. It is the classic of classics. Use of an old ballad, "Barbara Allen" only adds to the emotion and enchantment of the story.
For those who know nothing about a Christmas Carol, there is a miserly fellow named Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) who has achieved wealth and power through cynicism of the human character while losing any empathy and warmth he may have had earlier in life in his climb toward success.
It is Christmas Eve and his sleep becomes a nightmare with visits from the Ghosts of the Christmas Past, Present, and Future. He gets to cower in front of his dead partner who warns him to change his ways. He gets to see the suffering of his faithful and timid employee, Bob Cratchit (Mervyn Johns). Finally, he gets to see the future and what people thought of him. What effect will the dreams have on a man so disposed to contempt for the poor and wretched? In order to find out, you will have to watch this movie. The book is also available.
A phenomenal cast rounds out the story that is said to be the truest to the masterpiece novella. The acting has the power to bring tears to your eyes as you empathize with their misery and joy. Alastair Sim's performance makes him an acting icon. It is so moving, that this "Christmas Carol" is not only considered to be the best version, but the very best of Christmas stories and the Christmas spirit.
