A CHRISTMAS CAROL [DVD] [1951]

Alastair Sim’s tour-de-force performance as the ultimate miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, has almost single-handedly made this beloved version of Charles Dickens’ story into one of the best-loved Christmas films of all time. Some of Britain’s best filmmakers united behind Sim, who was joined by a delightful cast of accomplished and acclaimed English actors; creating what many today believe to be the best and most faithful production of Dickens’ immortal tale. Cranky and curmudgeonly Scrooge learns the error of his unkind ways and is taught the true meaning of the holidays when he is visited by the ghost of his late business partner and the spirits of Christmas past, present and future.

REVIEWS:

“4 STARS! Superb film is too good to be shown only at Christmastime…” — Leonard Maltin

“…my real Christmas ritual is “A Christmas Carol,” the 1951 version starring Alastair Sim. It wouldn’t be Christmas Eve without it. …this is not just one of the best Christmas movies but one of the best movies ever made.” — Rick Marin, The New York Times

“There have been at least eight movie versions (of A Christmas Carol)… but the single enduring version is the 1951 film starring Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge…an incomparable Christmas present.” — Gene Shalit

• Commentary Tracks By Marcus Hearn and George Cole
• INTRODUCTION BY LEONARD MALTIN "DEAD TO BEGIN WITH: The Darker Side of A Classic"- An all-new documentary exploring the films bleaker themes and how they rivaled London of the 1950's. Featuring British film historian and culturalist Sir Christopher Frayling. (25 mins)
• "SCROOGE BY ANOTHER NAME: Distributing A Christmas Carol"- An all-new featurette detailing the American release of this British holiday classic. Featuring US distributor Richard Gordon. (10 mins)
• "THE HUMAN BLARNEY STONE: Life and Films of Brian Desmond Hurst"-An all-new documentary chronicling the awe-inspiring life of Ireland's most prolific filmmaker. Featuring Allan Esler Smith, the great, great nephew and biographer of Hurst. (40 mins)
• ALASTAIR SIM VERSION ": Too Good To Be Shown Only At Christmastime - video narrative by Fred Guida, author of A Christmas Carol and Its Adaptations (33 mins)
• SILENT DICKENS a collection of early examples of Dickens on film. (Scrooge -1922, Bleak House 20 mins)

Format  DVD

Language  English

Region  All Regions

Audio  Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround & 2.0

Aspect Ratio  1.37:1 / 4x3

Subtitles  English & Spanish subtitles

Rating  Not Rated

Runtime  86

Year  1951

Color  B&W