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Alastair Sim, Kathleen Harrison, Mervyn Johns, Michael Hordern, Hermione Baddeley ... see more see more... , John Charlesworth , Glyn Dearman , George Cole , Rona Anderson , Carol Marsh , Brian Worth , Olga Edwardes , Roddy Hughes , Hattie Jacques , Clifford Mollison , Michael Dolan , Francis De Wolff , C. Konarski , Ernst Thesiger , Miles Malleson , Louise Hampton , Noel Howlett , Fred Johnson , Peter Bull , Douglas Muir , Eliot Makeham , Henry Hewitt , Hugh Dempster , David Hannaford , Patrick Macnee , Maire O'Neill , Richard Pearson , Eleanor Summerfield , Jack Warner , Alastair Sin

Widely considered to be the definitive of the many film versions of Charles Dickens' classic novel is this 1951 British adaptation, starring Alastair Sim (entitled "Scrooge" in its U.K. release). Sim ... read more read more...plays Ebenezer Scrooge, a London miser who, despite his wealth, refuses to make charitable contributions and treats his sole employee, Bob Cratchit, as an indentured servant. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his late business partner, Jacob Marley, who was as selfish as Scrooge in life and has been condemned to an eternity of wandering the Earth in shackles. Marley informs Scrooge that he's to receive a trio of spirits that night who will take him on a journey through Christmases Past, Present, and Yet to Come. As Scrooge encounters each apparition, he is taken on a tour of his life and realizes what a wretch he is, transformed by greed from an idealistic youth into an embittered ogre. Infused with a new, cheery outlook, Scrooge sets about earning his redemption. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

72% liked it

52,356 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

24 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.

Directed by: Brian Desmond Hurst

Release Date: November 28, 1951

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DVD Release Date: November 3, 1998

Stats: 1,091 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,091)

  • kiriyamakazou
    December 25, 2009
    kiriyamakazou
    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... read more 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.
  • sanjurosamurai
    December 13, 2009
    sanjurosamurai
    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 surpri... read moresing 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.
  • jennifxu
    June 7, 2007
    jennifxu
    this movie made me incomparably happy. christmas classic.
  • binky013
    March 23, 2006
    binky013
    This one and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE are the holiday season for me. Alastair Sim's a fascinating actor.
  • chaleins
    March 29, 2012
    chaleins
    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 ... read moreas 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.
  • tard15r06
    December 4, 2011
    tard15r06
    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 incarnatio... read morens 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.
  • crossbladezero
    December 23, 2010
    crossbladezero
    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 definate... read morely worth the watch.
  • threefolddado
    March 29, 2012
    threefolddado
    One of the best adaptations of this story.
  • alice5mith
    December 30, 2009
    alice5mith
    Excellent. Perfect atmosphere, the characters evolve without striking ... even the spirits show discretion and propriety, in good medieval tradition of ghosts.
  • neffielee
    March 11, 2009
    neffielee
    I think this is one of the best versions out there.

View All Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) Reviews

Critic Reviews

December 5, 2008
TIME Magazine

Though Dickens' frank sentimentality calls for broad treatment, Brian Desmond Hurst's direction is too often heavy as well. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
March 25, 2006
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

What we have in this rendition of Dickens' sometimes misunderstood Carol is an accurate comprehension of the agony of a shabby soul. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

At a reasonably short 85 minutes, this is nevertheless a complete experience, and the strength and depth of its drama makes it the most memorable of any adaptation of the tale. Full Review

Scott G. Mignola
January 2, 2011
Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media

The classic book brought to life. Full Review

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
December 25, 2009
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

One of the handful of best Christmas movies ever made. Full Review

Steve Biodrowski
December 23, 2009
Steve Biodrowski, Cinefantastique

For many decades, this 1951 production was considered to be the best adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," and it is easy to see why: it features excellent production values and a wonder... Full Review

Tim Brayton
November 29, 2009
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

If I dare to say it, a more dramatically successful work than Dickens's novella. Full Review

John J. Puccio
November 11, 2009
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

Of the many film versions, this one from 1951 with Alastair Sim as Scrooge is the most faithful to the spirit of the book. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
December 20, 2007
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Moves through a brisk 86 minutes with just enough time to linger on poignant moments. Full Review

November 27, 2007
Film4

A bland, stodgy movie. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) Trivia

  • "Before I draw nearer to that stone, tell me! Are these the shadows of things that must be, or are they the shadows of things that MIGHT be?" The above quote is a reference from what movie, from which character, and is in reference to whose stone?   Answer »
  • Which actor played an Americanized and modernized Scrooge in a made-for-tv adaptation of A Christmas Carol set against the backdrop of the Great Depression called An American Christmas Carol?  Answer »
  • Which actor played the cheerless Scrooge in the movie "A Muppet Christmas Carol?"  Answer »
  • Who played Ebeneezer Scrooge in the movie A Muppet Christmas Carol?  Answer »
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