Regular Price $14.99

Starring: Alastair Sim,  Kathleen Harrison,  Mervyn Johns,  Hermione Baddeley,  Michael Hordern, 
Directed By: Brian Desmond Hurst, 
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Release Date: 1951
Studio: VCI Video
Format: Black & White,  Dolby,  DVD-Video,  Full Screen,  Subtitled,  NTSC, 

Editorial Reviews and DVD Information about A Christmas Carol (Original B&W Version)

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

Customer Reviews for A Christmas Carol (Original B&W Version)

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".A Christmas Carol (Original B&W Version)

A Classic
This is by far the best version of A Christmas Carole out there. Black and White all the way!A Christmas Carol (Original B&W Version)

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.A Christmas Carol (Original B&W Version)

One of my favorites.
I own the VHS version I purchased at Blockbuster over 10 years ago.
This is a classic and to readily enjoyed by the young and old. As others have noted, I used to scour the TV guide every week from Thanksgiving on to find a time to enjoy this film.
The best element of this film, which is shared by the Teledrama with George C Scott is the serious nature of the pre repentant Scrooge.
The Muscial Scrooge with Albert Finney makes him a comic character. This is shared by a great version with George Bacchus as the voice in Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol.
In this sense, I prefer the George C Scott version, filmed during the Wall Street era of the 80's, where Scrooge is well groomed, intelligent, and flawed. He is the consumate conservative businessman of both Dickens time, and our own.
I enjoy and own both versions.A Christmas Carol (Original B&W Version)

My Christmas favorite
"A Christmas Carol" don't appear on television anymore so this is a good investment. It will round out your Christmas holiday to sit down with eggnog and cookies and view this timeless classic.A Christmas Carol (Original B&W Version)