A Christmas Carol

Released Nov 28, 1951

1h 26m

Holiday

Fantasy

List

86%

35 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Crotchety Victorian businessman Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) has no use for festivity, even at Christmas. After resentfully allowing timid clerk Bob Cratchit (Mervyn Johns) to have the holiday to spend with his loving wife (Hermione Baddeley) and family, Scrooge is swept into a nightmare. The ghost of his late partner, Jacob Marley (Michael Hordern), appears, warning that Ebenezer will be visited by three more spirits who will show the coldhearted man the error of his parsimonious behavior.

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Critics Consensus

The 1951 adaptation of Charles Dickens' timeless classic is perhaps the most faithful film version -- and Alastair Sim's performance as Scrooge is not to be missed.

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

[Alastair Sim's] Dickens antihero is definitive, a cynical brute who nonetheless seems to be hiding tiny glimmers of kindness behind those huge, sad and soulful eyes.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 16, 2022

Full Review

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Watching most versions, the viewer is tempted to punch happy Scrooge. Here we yearn to share a sherry with the newly jolly rogue.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 10, 2017

Full Review

Monika Maurer

Empire Magazine

Lashings of festive cheer and a fair dollop of fine performances will leave you in the mood for mince pies and a renewed sense of seasonal goodwill to all men.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 5, 2012

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

The cinematography is uniformly strong with gorgeous shadows, lighting and atmosphere.

Rated: A+

May 3, 2019

Full Review

PJ Nabarro

Patrick Nabarro

Inarguably the definitive and best adaptation of Charles Dickens' seminal Christmas fable.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 10, 2018

Full Review

MFB Critics

Monthly Film Bulletin

All depends, therefore, in the making of a film from this story, on the re-creation of this atmosphere in dramatic terms. It cannot be said that Brian Desmond Hurst has been altogether successful in this respect.

Dec 12, 2015

Full Review

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Jeff M

After finally watching arguably the best-known version of Dickens' holiday classic, I am inclined to agree with those who consider this the gold standard of adaptations. Even though I have a special place in my heart for the 1938 version with Reginald Owen, I found myself slightly more entertained and certainly more moved by this film. And I feel confident in stating that no one will ever inhabit the role of Ebenezer Scrooge quite as well as Sim. He does the best job I've seen of portraying the misery and cruelty of Scrooge, which makes the epiphany so much more affecting than other versions. Sim is to Scrooge here what Edmund Gwenn is to MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET. Really the only minor criticisms I have are not with the filmmaking itself but the source material. As a cinematic experience, there's not much to fault here. It's a testament to the filmmaking that, after having seen what feels like 128 other versions of Dickens' 1843 novel, I found myself so emotionally connected to material that has become almost cliche. I particularly loved how Sim allows a bit of orneriness in Scrooge's transformation - he not only found his heart, but he also found his sense of humor. When all is said and done, if I were allowed only one CHRISTMAS CAROL motion picture to watch, this would most likely be my choice! It has joined the aforementioned 34TH STREET and EMMET OTTER'S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS on my list of holiday necessities.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/24

Full Review

Howard K

There are many great performances of this timeless story, but this one is easily the best. The performance by Alistair Sim is one of the finest of all time. What really sells this version is the phenomenal score by Richard Addinsell, one of the most underappreciated composers of the golden age of Hollywood. This is not only my favorite version of this story, it is my favorite holiday film, and the last thing I watch on Christmas Eve every year.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/29/23

Full Review

Georgan G

Watched this film since I was a child. Love the idea that if someone really wants to be a better person, it's possible. Great acting, great screenplay, one of my all time favorite Xmas movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/26/23

Full Review

J H

Alistair Sim's version of Scrooge is unmatched in my mind. The ghost of Christmas Present as well as the supporting characters does an excellent job bringing this classic to life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/25/23

Full Review

Russ

This is THE best film version; it was a Christmas Eve television must-watch for decades.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/22/23

Full Review

Christina T

This is not only the greatest of all the Christmas Carol films, but also, in my opinion, the greatest Christmas movie ever made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/23

Full Review

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Brian Desmond Hurst

Director

Alastair Sim

Ebenezer Scrooge

Kathleen Harrison

Mrs. Dilber

Mervyn Johns

Bob Cratchit

Hermione Baddeley

Mrs. Cratchit

Clifford Mollison

Samuel Wilkins

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Synopsis

Crotchety Victorian businessman Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) has no use for festivity, even at Christmas. After resentfully allowing timid clerk Bob Cratchit (Mervyn Johns) to have the holiday to spend with his loving wife (Hermione Baddeley) and family, Scrooge is swept into a nightmare. The ghost of his late partner, Jacob Marley (Michael Hordern), appears, warning that Ebenezer will be visited by three more spirits who will show the coldhearted man the error of his parsimonious behavior.

Director: Brian Desmond Hurst
Screenwriter: Noel Langley
Production Co: George Minter Productions
Genre: Holiday, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 28, 1951, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2016
Runtime: 1h 26m

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