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: "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: Poor quality restoration of a truly outstanding movie
Review: (Please note that this review does NOT apply to the DVD edition of this film. I do not have a DVD player (yet), and I have not been able to view this film on DVD.) A CHRISTMAS CAROL, the 1951 classic starring Alastair Sim (originally titled SCROOGE for its release in England), is arguably the best version ever filmed of the Dickens classic. As the makers of this video edition are proud to remind us, Leonard Martin has said that this film is "too good to be shown only at Christmastime," and they're right. It's an outstanding movie, an unforgettable classic that deserves to be seen time and time again. This film was released on laserdisc in 1988 by United Entertainment, though by laserdisc standards the pressing was rather bare. In 1996, a new edition of the film was released by The Roan Group on VHS and laserdisc. The laserdisc adds chapter stops, and both it and the VHS boasted "digital sound," as well as claiming to be pressed from "an original British 35 mm negative which is the definitive material" version of the film. Some effort was made to make this disc appeal to laserdisc enthusiasts and "cineaste" movie buffs, and Roan includes an standard "introduction" and "Afterward" [sic - there are a couple of minor typos on the back cover] by Patrick Macnee, who played the role of younger Jacob Marley in the film. He doesn't say anything substantial, and other than his appreciation of the film it's obvious that his appearance is just added to entice people to buy this "new" edition. Unfortunately, the sound quality of the first ten minutes of the movie are seriously flawed on the copy I received from Roan -- so much so that I was tempted to stop right there. The digital enhancement" of the soundtrack did not work at all in stereo mode on my player; I had to change to left- or right-channel only to avoid an exceptionally annoying, tinny quality to the soundtrack. A flaw in the sound that occurs during the scene when Tiny Tim is looking wishfully at toys through the window of a store, near the beginning of the film, has not been corrected; evidently it's now a permanent part of the video edition of the film. The flawed digital sound problem is abruptly fixed at 10 mintes, 30 seconds on the laserdisc, however; it suddenly improves, and one can hear the disc in digital. However, the digital enhancement reveal many scratches and background hiss in the background. This may be an inevitable result of digital enhancement, but I found it hard to ignore; it repeatedly made me want to compare it to the older analog soundtrack. It sounds as if several different copies of the soundtrack were spliced together to create the sound of this particular print of the film: there are times when the sound is clear and very tolerable, then abruptly there are very annoying scratches and white noise. It is true that the digital enhancement *does* reveal more background music and some sound effects, as well as giving us fuller voices; but the flaws brought on by the age of the film and revealed by the enhancement work against this advantage. The video finally settled down into a decent, acceptable quality presentation by half an hour into the film; it's a pity that it takes this long before we finally get used to it. The picture quality is quite good, and very clear in most places; it's far better than most TV broadcasts of this film. Black and white film almost always appears crisp and clear on laserdisc and DVD; if you want to display the advantages of videodisc over videotape, you may want to consider using a black-and-white film as an example. (But you should probably use a better-quality video than this.) This video edition also includes several short films as a bonus: some sing-along Christmas carols, and three cartoons, all taken from the public domain. Max Fleischer's animated "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" isn't bad, but the "Little Audrey" cartoon may make older viewers wince. It does appear that an effort was made to "improve" this edition of the video, and thus make it more appealing to holiday shoppers -- especially those who already own the older edition on video or laserdisc. But given the flaws in the improvement process, I found myself sorely tempted to return the newer video and instead keep the older analog laserdisc of the film. Am I biased in favor of the older edition because I've had it for a while? Perhaps I am; or perhaps this newer edition just didn't live up to my expectations.
Rating: 
Summary: It's Got One Thing Going For It...
Review: ...And that's Alastair Sim's definitive performance as Ebenezer Scrooge. His transformation from pathetic wretch to hysterical exuberance is beyond words. I'm not sure any actor will be able to duplicate such a performance. Other actors (like George C. Scott and Michael Caine) have been able to successfully provide their own interpretations however. That said, I cannot bring myself to rate the 1951 version of Scrooge: A Christmas Carol as high as other versions. Though it's one of the shortest renditions at less than 90 minutes, it seems like one of the longest. Part of the reason why is that it spends so much time visiting Ebenezer Scrooge's past. Not only does the film touch on aspects that the other films do (the break-up with his girlfriend, etc), but they also cover his sister's death while giving birth, his first meeting with Jacob Marley, his and Marley's takeover of the business (I don't care what anyone says, no child watching this "family" film will be interested in watching business transactions like the one depicted in this scene - neither will some adults), and they even show Marley on his deathbed. I haven't counted, but this film must devote at least 30 minutes to Scrooge's past, which doesn't leave much room to cover his present and future. This is a problem, because they spend more time on how Scrooge became a bitter old miser and less time on his emotional transformation toward good-heartedness...thank goodness they had Sim to pick up the slack. As much as it pains me to say I also have a problem with how dated the film seems to be. This movie looks more like it's from the 30's or 40's instead of 1951. I don't know if it's due to budget constraints or if they just haven't taken good care of the original film. It just looks old and washed out...and I love films from the 50's many of my favorites are from that era. There's one more thing. It's not a big deal, but have you noticed the young actor playing Tiny Tim? I mean, he has to be at least 15 years old! I might be wrong, but I don't think "Tiny" Tim was in his mid-teens! The sight of Bob Cratchet carrying around this adolescent on one of his shoulders is hilariously absurd. For years, the 1951 production of A Christmas Carol has been considered by many to be the best interpretation of the Dickens' classic, thanks primarily to Alastair Sim's brilliant portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge. To that, I say "Bah, humbug!" The best treatment of this tale not only needs a great performance from its lead actor, but from the entire cast. The film should also be told with just the right atmosphere and pacing. The 1951 version meets none of these criteria. When regarding the classic story of A Christmas Carol, we don't have to settle for a film that rides on the coattails of its lead actor's performance! For my money, the 1984 production of A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott has always been the best...and after viewing the 1999 Patrick Stewart film, it still is!
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!! <=====>
Rating:
Summary: A Holiday Tradition
Review: A Christmas Carol with Alistair Sim has been watched by myself and now my family every holiday season for as long as I can remember. I rate this version side by side with the 1984 George C. Scott version. Each has its charms and idiosynchrasis. The Ghost of Jacob Marley in the 1951 edition is superbly done with many of the original Dicken's lines used or paraphrased. However the 1984 Ghost was even better, particularly, in my opinion, when he says" Man of the worldly mind do you beleive in me or not?" The character of Scrooge himself is portrayed admirably by both Sim and Scott although Scott plays him more arrogantly it seems and therefore more lifelike. I love his "arguing" with the spirits who "sometimes even (I) forget the rules, after all I don't come around that often." ( Ghost of Christmas Present) The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is done the best in the 1951 edition. Note if you look carefuly at the scene with Scrooge at the window of the Crathcits you can actually see the face of the actor behind the black guaze. The Ghost in the 1984 was perhaps more frightening but that screeching sound he made when he moved and the lightning flashed when the scene changed were annoying.
Rating:
Summary: Best Christmas Carol By Far
Review: A true classic, Sim's brilliant performance raises it to a level that no other Christmas Carol even approaches. His post-transformation performance is some of the best minutes of acting ever put on film. The supporting cast is excellent from Bob Marley right down to the boy who buys the Christmas bird and the maid at Scrooge's neice's house. A must see.
Rating: 
Summary: Response to B.Bowzer
Review: Acording to IMDB.com and Maltin, it was indeed Patrick MacNee playing the young Marley. Glyn Dearman played Tiny Tim.
Rating:
Summary: THE Christmas Movie
Review: After the Gosepl of Luke, the best Christmas story I've come upon is Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol". I have to admit that I've never actually read the book but I feel as if I know it for all the movie and TV versions of it that I have seen. By far the best one the Alastair Sim version which is titled "A Christmas Carol" but also shows up occassionally as "Scrooge" (the opening credits show "A Christmas Carol" and the closing credits show "Scrooge"). I am probably a bit biased in my preference for this version because it was the first one I saw. As a young boy, I was very much impressed by the story and especially by Alastair Sim's portrayal of Ebeneezer Scrooge. Sim doesn't have to yell or boil over to convey the right image. His sneering looks of disdain and rude rebuttals are enough to give you the measure of the man. Likewise, after his visit with the three Christmas spirits, his metamorphasis as a redeemed believer is a joy to watch. The way his joy bubbles over in his giddy behavior is most memorable. The other actors, mostly unknown names to American movies audiences, all fit their roles very well. The special effects are about what you could expect from a 1951 English movie. However, that is just as well because the story, not the visual effects, are what we are focussed on. After all, the beauty of Dickens's story doesn't require any glitz. I feel that this version does the best job of delivering story that to the audience. If you haven't seen it before, you really need to. Don't be put off by the black and white film, enjoy the story as it was meant to be presented.
Rating:
Summary: "Business?!! MANKIND was my business!"
Review: Alas, for Jacob Marley's ghost when he responds with this line after Scrooge has told him: "But you were always a good man of business." This English version of *A Christmas Carol*, which has the film title of "Scrooge," has always been the definitve version of the story for me. The sets, the costumes, the exterior shots, and the actors and actresses all have what seems to me to be a distinctive "English" look to them. Even Tiny Tim's teeth and Alastair Sim's teeth have an English trademark look to them. This DVD version of this classic film presents an excellent opportunity for the film fan to judge the effect of colorizing on a film. The DVD presents the original black and white version on one side of the disk, and the colorized version on the other side. I first saw the film in black and white...and have always thought of it in that fashion. In that aspect, the black and white presentation offers some interesting aesthetic and dramatic effects which can be compared with the effects which the colorized version produces. To my sense perceptions, the black and white version increases the "coldness" of the feel of the film...of the snow...and the huddling of people to keep warm...and it seems to increase the perception of Scrooge as a cold person. Even in scenes where there should be a sense of warmth, such as when Scrooge is in his room huddled in his chair ready to eat some "hot" soup, the effect is still one of coldness. The black and white aspect of sets and people seems to heighten the dramatic impact, making for a solemn, lonely, spiritless feel to the characters and events...which is certainly in keeping with the intent (until the transformation). Alastair Sim's acting is so profoundly good that he does transform the tone of the black and white into a warmth of reclaimed humanity. When he goes in humility and some fear to his nephew's house, not knowing how he will be received, and asks forgiveness for his foolishness, the black and white aspect cannot dull the warmth and humanity. But, that having been said, I must also say that the moment I turned the disk over and began the film in the colorized version, I knew I was experiencing...and was going to experience...a different set of sensory impules...and different resulting feelings and aesthetic impressions. For the opening sequence is of a book being opened...in the colorized version, the book's cover is colored...but it is tastefully done...and the pages are a warm ivory color. The effect to me was enormously pleasing...then when the actual characters appear... the colorizing adds to the facial expressions...one now notices arched eyebrows, grimaces, smiles...there is a real humanity that is brought out by the color. People's personalities are not "washed out" by the black and white...the distinctiveness of individual personality seems more alive with the color. This colorized version is done well...the color is tastefully done...the inside of Scrooge's house becomes more distinctive, and one notices objects that tend to go unnoticed in the black and white version. The brown colored bannisters of the stairway are one example...as well as the statue at the bottom of the stairs. The wooden surfaces glow with a warm brown... and Scrooge's (Alastair Sim's) eyes are an interesting, mesmerizing ice-blue color. Formerly I would have said, as something of a film purist, that the black and white version of the film would be the one which I would watch...and show to others. But now, I have become a real fan of the colorized version...maybe it is the novelty because I have not seen the colorized version as many times as I have seen the black and white version...but I firmly suspect that it is something deeper and more aesthetically and psychologically compelling in relation to the use of color... at least with this film (I once saw a horrible, inept, attempt at colorizing "Miracle on 34th street"...but I do not fault this present attempt). I found nothing wrong with the sound on this disk... The most haunting moments in this film, for me, are at the beginning when Tiny Tim is looking in the shop window...and the mechanical clown is laughing...Tim laughs too, for he thinks it is in amusement...but then Tim sees someone buy the boat which he obviously wanted...the look of loss and hurt on the young actor's face is unforgettable...and yet the heartless mechanical clown continues to rock back and forth with laughter...now, as if mocking Tim...Tim looks at the clown... and still in his good-hearted spirit manages a smile and a laugh, too. My god...what an incredible piece of filmed humanity...and feeling. There are other incredibly moving moments in this filmed version. For me, it will always be the best.
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