content rating:

Not Rated

Author's Note:

Could be disturbing to small children

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a Christmas Carol

Movie Facts

Release Year:

1951

Runtime:

86 minutes

Cast:

Alastair Sim

Kathleen Harrison

Clifford Mollison

Director:

Brian Desmond Hurst

Producer:

Brian Desmond Hurst

Basic Plot

The meanest man in town is a crotchety, heartless old man who prizes money above all.  Ebenezer Scrooge cares for no one and even avoids his only nephew, Fred, because his beloved sister died giving him life.  He overworks and underpays Bob Cratchit,  his humble clerk and has no sympathy for his circumstances...not even an ounce for his crippled son, Tiny Tim.  In the dreary, dark recesses of nineteenth century London, Scrooge heads home from the office.  It's Christmas eve, but money is the only thing on his mind.  He skulks through the streets as he examines his open accounts tablet.  One by one, he harasses the street vendors and store owners for payment.  No reason or excuse will persuade him to extend their time to repay and no charity is offered.  Life is miserable and barren, but life is about to change.  When Scrooge falls asleep that evening, he is visited by three ghosts who show him his Christmas Past,  Christmas Present and a terrifying Christmas Yet to Come.  By Christmas morning, Ebenezer Scrooge is filled with the spirit of Christmas and charity, never to be the same again.    

Review

Typical of the writings of Charles Dickens, this Christmas tale has a dark, depressing quality.  Nineteenth century London comes to life before you as the poor and downtrodden cling to their meager reasons for celebrating Christmas.  "A Christmas Carol" paints a vivid transition between the miserable rich man, Ebenezer Scrooge and his poor-but-happy clients.  Ghosts haunt and teach the miserly Scrooge as they show him the pain and loss throughout his lifetime that has stolen his joy and caused him to lose his humanity.  But honestly, the ending is what makes this movie a winner.  Even though this Dickens story has been presented in a multitude of versions, this is our personal favorite.  Alastair Sim is Ebenezer Scrooge.

Overall rating

   (out of a possible 5 bubble lights)