Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
Brand: CHRISTMAS CAROL, A (DVD MOVIE)
EAN: 0089859850028
Format: Black & White
Item Dimensions: Array
Label: VCI Entertainment
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: VCI Entertainment
MPN: 8500
Number Of Items: 2
Publisher: VCI Entertainment
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2007-10-23
Running Time: 86
Studio: VCI Entertainment
Theatrical Release Date: 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. Bonus Features: Audio Commentary by Marcus Hearn & George Cole, "Spirit of Christmas Past" - George Cole remembers Alastair Sim, "Richard Gordon Remembers George Minter & Renown Pictures", "Charles Dickens - His Life & Times", Bonus Colorized Version, Original American Theatrical Trailer, Original British Theatrical Trailer, Before & After Restoration Comparison, Optional English & Spanish Subtitles, Optional Narrative for the Blind, Photo & Press Book Gallery, Cast Bios, "Scrooge" (1935 Seymour Hicks Version) Specs: 2-DVD9s; Dolby Digital 5.1; 86 minutes; B&W / Color; Aspect Ratio: B&W Restored Version - 1.33:1; Optional 16x9 Enhanced for Widescreen Monitors; Colorized Version - 1.33:1; MPAA - NR; Year - 1951; SRP - $19.99.
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.

Amazon exclusive video: George Cole, who played the young Ebenezer Scrooge, reflects.Watch here Find out what’s new on this restored version of A Christmas Carol. Watch here Never-before-seen U.S. and U.K. trailers. Watch here

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 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 features 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

Beyond A Christmas Carol

1938 version starring Reginald Owen

1984 version starring George C. Scott

1999 version starring Patrick Stewart

Stills from A Christmas Carol

Customer Rating:
Summary: A Christmas Carol-Alstair Sims
Comment: This is without a doubt the best version of the Charles Dicken's classic ever made. If you only have one Christmas film in your collection it should be this one.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: REVIEW OF THE SINGLE DISC B&W COLOR RELEASE 1989!
Comment: VCI Entertainment released a single disc version of this film almost 20 years ago. The print on it is faded and the color process is a bit fake looking. I can only hope that this new 2 disc edition from the same company is much better!....I would think so after 20 years.

The film itself is considered a classic by many, but this particular version is dated and stagey! It's slow moving with Alastair Sim being the only shinning light! I never saw this version as a kid and I think that is why I'm a bit critical of it. I have no fond memories of this movie, although I love the story! For those of you who love this version, please enjoy it as much as you like! I won't be spending my holidays watching this film version ever again! My DVD version(the single disc VCI edition from 89') has a washed out transfer, bad coloring and not much in the way of extras, including a vintage cartoon version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Maybe the 2 disc edition has enough going for it, to make me love this film?

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Customer Rating:
Summary: True restoration
Comment: Because I read several negative reviews of this restoration I purchased the disc with some misgivings. I'm happy to report that my misgivings were not justified. Now, no one is harder to please than me when it comes to DVD image and sound quality. This is the best looking version of this film I've seen to date. Overall detail is vastly improved over the previous release as is contrast. I can see textures in clothing I've never seen before, as well as detail in shadows that were lacking in previous releases. The sound is 100% improved (even the Dolby Surround is effective). While there is some footage that is a bit degraded it quite minimal and accounts for only a minute or two of the entire film.

Overall, a great restoration job!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: YOU CAN'T TOP ALISTAIR SIM'S SCROOGE.
Comment: Ever since I can remember, Christmas hasn't been Christmas without at least one viewing of this film. Even waaaay back to the days before VCRs and 300 cable channels, living in a small Arkansas town, my brother and I would scour the TV guide that came in the Sunday paper to see if it was coming on one of the three channels we got. (How did we survive?)

I also have the 2002 disc, and comparing them on my setup it's obvious that alot of care has gone into the restoration efforts. However (here comes the nit-pick)...watch the scene where the door to Scrooge's sitting room flies open in advance of Marley's entrance. Scrooge leaps up from his chair and cowers against the wall...his mouth is opening BUT YOU CAN'T HEAR HIM UTTER HIS CRY OF FEAR! This, to me, is shoddy audio engineering...since of course it's loud and clear on the 2002 version. Someone apparently dropped the audio out when the transfer was being done. Yes, I know this is a very, very minor point, but it's still a point. So I actually give the disc creators 4 stars. If they were as dedicated to the full restoration of this film as the packaging would have us believe, they wouldn't have missed something so trivial.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A Christmas Carol (Ultimate Collector's Edition)(B/W & Color)
Comment: I don't really have to write anything do I?????

The life of a Scrooge transformed by the Love of a friends. Watch both though I do really prefer the black & white one just being nostalgic.

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