Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0089859820120
Format: Black & White, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Special Edition, NTSC
Label: Vci Video
Manufacturer: Vci Video
Number Of Items: 1
Picture Format: Academy Ratio
Publisher: Vci Video
Release Date: October 28, 1998
Running Time: 86 minutes
Sales Rank: 8117
Studio: Vci Video
Theatrical Release Date: 1951
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Editorial Review:
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. 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 Alastair 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 feature 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
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Very good film
Very good adaptation on film for of this classic book written by Ch. Dickens but I think there are more adaptations much better as release.
Rating: - The Best Version of the Best Short Story Ever Written
In December 1845 Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol was first published. Many consider it the best short story (70 pages) ever written. There have been more film versions of A Christmas Carol than any other story, the latest has Micheal Moore as Scrooge. This version in B&W is by far the best. Other reviews praise the style and narrative of this version, and miss the fact that this is the story word for word as Dickens wrote it. Dickens like Shakespeare is best in his own words. Alastair Sim heads a great cast, Even death is the best one ever done. I have watched this movie on TV, DVD, and VCR, every Christmas Eve since the late 50's when it first came out on TV. (except the two Christmases I spent in Viet Nam) It's as much a part of my Christmas as a Christmas tree, and the best story of redemption ever written.
The only suggestion I have to improve the movie is read the story then watch the movie.
Rating:  - Wrong item may be pictured--is this live action or animated
Be careful what you're buying here. Pictured is a 30 minute animated version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL with the VOICE of Alistair Sim. But read the other reviews and you'll discover that they're describing the live-action 1951 version in which Alastair Sim played Scrooge also. Both are great films. If you want the animated version, do an Amazon search using the two principle voices as your search criteria: "Alastair Sim Michael Redgrave".
Rating: - A Classic
This is by far the best version of A Christmas Carole out there. Black and White all the way!
Rating: - The best version I am aware of.
Amazon seems to have mixed up the reviews, so I will say that I am writing about the 1999 DVD of Alistair Sim's A Christmas Carol as released by VCI. I also have the 2007 release, and this 1999 disc is MUCH more enjoyable. Not a perfect transfer of the movie, but good enough to get lost in and revel in Sim's and all the other actors' marvelous performances.
Avoid the 2007 2-disc set at all costs.
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