A Christmas Carol (1951) Simply the Best - WFP Review
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- A festive review of the popular Alastair Sim version of A Christmas Carol. Explore what keeps bringing us back to this Dickens classic. With George Cole, Kathleen Harrison & Michael Hordern. Directed by Brian Hurst.
Channel music: Bensound.com
The one and ONLY version! Merry Christmas to one and all!
The more I watch it, and try the others, the more I agree. Happy holidays!
One of my favourite films. I cannot begin to count how many times I've seen it.
That is the case for many of us. Interesting you can now see far better/cleaner prints of the movie (even the version here on youtube) than the murkier versions from years ago. Have a safe holiday season!
My Dad always said this was his favourite adaptation, and I'm sure I've seen it with him as a kid, but tonight was the first time I have watched this film as an adult. What struck me most was just how much development occurred over its relatively short run-time. Lots of small moments that I feel were omitted or maybe just out of focus in other versions. Like you mentioned, the brisk pacing told the story without a wasted beat, but it does not feel rushed at all. The catharsis at the end is also incredibly satisfying and I almost couldn't believe I was viewing the same character(nor could Scrooge). What a stellar performance by Alastair Sim.
O yes, this is undoubtedly the best. There are several other excellent versions, but Alistair Sim and Mervyn John's hit it out of the park!
Yes, nobody did beleaguered like poor Mervyn.
This is my all time favorite version. There are seversl other versions I like, but this one will always be the definitive version. It was the version that I first saw as a child. 1 of out local stations always showed in on the Sunday afternoon before Christmas & at 10:30 pm on Christmas Eve. It was always shown uniterupted by commercials. Many years ago they lost the rights to it, but thankfully I have been able to always watch it, 1st on VHS & now on DVD.
If you have youtube running on your TV, there is a very clean version accessible free here, although it may come with some ads. I have my own passable dvd. Happy holidays!
That's SIR Michael Hordern, thank you very much.
I loved that the narrator read out the review from Variety. Variety has such an august history of always always disliking every film that is special. Really, their reviewers have an unerring eye. They never fail to get it wrong. You can set your watch by them.
Glad to learn that. I am a massive fan from Sink the Bismarck to Taming of the Shrew and Funny Thing/Forum to The Spy who Came In from the Cold to radio's Lord of the Rings (Gandalf) and many many more.
This is my favorite version of A Christmas Carol.
Another goodun mate, there have been so many film versions of this, and there will probably be more in due course but I think this is the definitive. Alistair Sim is Ebenezer Scrooge, he was such a consummate Actor wasn't he. You have a great Christmas and thanks for another great review.
Very same to you. Appreciate your comments.
One of my favorite films. Good job...
Thanks! I just rewatched the MGM version after many years and I was struck by how "safe" it was. None of the social commentary material or sadder sections of Scrooge's failed betrothal, and in the 1938 film, Ebenezer seems converted before he is done with the first ghost! Have a great holiday!
A most excellent review.
First rate. Like this film.
Bravo!
Thank you
You are very welcome! What a wonderful message at Christmas time - it's what makes the channel worth it. Have a safe holiday!
Mervyn Johns, that great character actor of a time when this truly meant something. The manner in which he displays both joy and pathos in this film is a masterclass in acting. And Alistair Sim...sigh. While many others have attempted the task, some rather well (looking at you, Sir Patrick), he will always be in my mind the greatest of on-screen Scrooges. It is not Christmas in our household without this movie over the Holiday Season, on Christmas Eve if it can be arranged. As a Boomer, I purchased the DVD years ago as one cannot rely on streaming services; moreover, even TCM has failed to air this masterpiece in recent memory. Relying on others for one's happiness is a foolproof recipe for misery. Thank you for your insight and timely video. Just subscribed and am looking forward to watching past videos as well as viewing ones to come.
I also own the dvd, though the version I found on youtube was an excellent print - far better than older purchased copies. I think yet another strength of many in this film is the fact that Sim wasn't in very many movies that we actually saw growing up (I started seeking those out years later). So the fact I only saw him a dozen-odd times growing up in Christmas Carol meant he WAS Scrooge. Also agree that it is disappointing that TCM fails to air this version - the MGM movie is not as deep or adult, and skips over social-awareness scenes, the breakup of Scrooge's engagement and the death of his sister (another reason he had rejected his nephew). Thanks for your support and have a safe holiday!
Totally agree with you Walt, this is the best version of 'A Christmas Carol' I think but followed by it has to be said 'Muppet's Christmas Carol' both have got to be played at Christmas it's the law! Happy Christmas one and all ' God bless us everyone!'
I need to watch the Muppet version again! Especially as I am such a Caine fan.
@@Vlad65WFPReviews You really must!🎄
Merry Christmas Walt to both you and your family! May you have continued success with your channel. I look forward to each and every review you do and the warmth of your comments and insight. You are like the cherished letter that shows up in my mail box. I cannot think of a better gift at this time of year than a Movie Review from you. Be well and we'll keep in touch with each other.
Thank you very much. My reward is having contact with viewers like you who share my passion for these wonderful films. Have a wonderful holiday season!
Damn, this flick really does hold up, eh?
It's a film noir, like It's a Wonderful Life. Deep focus, high contrast b&w. How could it not be the best version.
Thanks! Interesting comment on film noir. I believe the fairly dark tone of much of the movie is what makes Sim's wonderful transformation even more effective. I plan to see a few other versions to watch for this contrast; I don't recall the MGM version being so dark, for example.
What an incredibly well done documentary ... wonderful editing, perfect sound and the young man who is the narrator actually PRONOUNCES his words and does not mumble. Thanks for posting this.
Thanks so very much - and I do wish I was still a "young man"! Have a great and safe holiday season!
The best version of this very classic Christmas story ! What a great cast of actors and movie script story line. Black & White filming always does great impressions of human experiences. The only thing missing in these scenes is the cold vapor from the humans out in the cold...even old Scrooge's office and some sections of his house. And, I believe British actor Alistair Sims is the best Scrooge made. He did a great job in creating "the real E. Scrooge".
Yes, yes, and yes! Thanks for writing and have a great holiday!
Jim is gonna love this!
It may also give me the "Christmas gift" of crawling to 1,000 subs which really won't change anything but will still be kinda cool (and it's always best NOT to dig into how many unsubs you also get). Also, this video also touches on the "Best Scrooge" issue, which is often "First Scrooge". I have wonderful in-laws in the US you swear by the MGM version - though of course, they are mistaken, lol.
@@Vlad65WFPReviews Lol of course they are ;-)
@@RobKristjansson btw, by coincidence (after your Fabelman session and the meet-the-director ending), I found the director of A Christmas Carol also crossed paths with John Ford as he learned his craft and remained lifelong friends (them both being passionate Irish types)
@@Vlad65WFPReviews Really? That is so 😎!
@@RobKristjansson WFP is rarely wrong - and when it is (that's a medium cruiser, not a heavy cruiser) boy, do I hear about it, lol
The best Christmas movie ever made.
You can see a lot of later versions borrow from this movie. I feel Ghost of Christmas Past is the darkest of all, the death of Scrooge's sister, which shows why he has a problem with Fred.
Very much agree. I watched the MGM again, just to compare, and was startled how "thin" it was, avoiding weightier scenes both of social relevance (scenes of the poor and the sick, which was essential Dickens) and the sad aspects of Scrooge's personal life.
Great review of my personal favourite version. There is a colourised version, shown on tv a few years ago. Avoid!!! Black and white is perfect for the film. I have to say, though, that I've always felt sorry for Jacob Marley. I mean, Scrooge gets his chance at redemption and a happy life, and presumably afterlife, but poor old Jacob will be dragging those chains and weights around for eternity. Hardly seems fair.
Yes, I think that has crossed many of our minds - Scrooge dancing at his nephew's party while Marley wanders the heavens dragging account books! Of course, it is Scrooge's dream! Have a safe holiday!
That's the point. For Marley, it was too late. He warned Scrooge what would happen if he didn't change.
For about 2/3 I was thinking this is the weakest version, but it really nails the last third to great success
Easily THE BEST adaptation of Dicken’s novel!
In North America, some Canadian channels run it often at Christmas but in the US, classic movie channel TCM reruns the MGM version which notably skips most of the social commentary that is another strong element in our beloved 1951 movie. Thanks for posting!
i have the DVD SO I can watch it whenever I wish.
The Babe Ruth of Christmas Carol movies. Its that good.
Hits it out of the park, lol! Happy holidays.
@@Vlad65WFPReviews - you and your family as well!
What the hell? Where are you getting this magnificently clear footage?!
Actually, most of it came from versions on youtube.
I can't believe I agree with Bosley Crowther!
Yes! I just had to include that. I noticed that TCM's coming schedule has the MGM version running at least twice while Alastair is nowhere to be seen. Thanks for watching - all our movie discussions have been a welcome balm in this very challenging year.
Great appreciation. Could you tell me the Christmas carol's name and rendition that you used to close the video.
The carol is the closing music of the movie
@@Vlad65WFPReviews Thanks
Sorry to disappoint everybody but towards the end of the film when Scrooge looks in the mirror you can see the film crew reflecting in the background of the mirror. 👀