|  | Actors: Alastair Sim, Jack Warner, Kathleen Harrison, Mervyn Johns, Hermione Baddeley
Studio: VCI Entertainment
List Price: $19.99
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New (28) Used (2) Collectible (1) from $9.80
Seller: digitaleyes_dvdplanet
Rating:  165 reviews
Sales Rank: 110
Format: Black & White, Color, Digital Sound, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 86 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5
Dimensions (in): 5 x 4 x 1
MPN: 8500
UPC: 089859850028
EAN: 0089859850028
ASIN: B000SR0DDE
Theatrical Release Date: 1951
Release Date: October 23, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Five Star Seller!!! New, factory sealed US Region 1 DVD. Item is 100% guaranteed not to be a bootleg or import. Item is shipped directly from our warehouse. Easy exchange if item defective or damaged in shipped.
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Showing reviews 161-165 of 165
 "THE" Classic Christmas Tale September 18, 2007
Kort Kramer (South Florida, USA)
2 out of 9 found this review helpful
While it is nice to have the colorized version, the B&W is the best way to enjoy this timeless classic. This movie is my favorite of all the Christmas Carol variants produced over the years. The engaging story of redemption is one that made a huge impact on my as youth. Fully restored, it now sparkles on my TV, looking better than I rember it from when it was on broadcast television so many years ago. Of course, TVs are a lot better too these days, hahaha.
I was impressed by the wealth of features included, colorized version included. The bio of Dickens was particularly interesting for me, and the Hearn and Cole commentary insightful.
If you want to give a real gift to someone you care about this holiday season, you could do worse than this wonderful movie. Introduce your children or grandchildren to the cinema version of Dicken's story the right way. 5 stars well deserved!
A Timeless Classic September 18, 2007
Barbara Rose (BornToInspire.com)
0 out of 6 found this review helpful
This DVD A Christmas Carol is a timeless classic, and a joy to watch. There is great depth in the characters, legendary acting performances and a story that is timeless for a reason - it's message.
This would make a great gift for the Holiday season, and I am sure anyone of any age will get a lot out of it.
The DVD holds true to the text throughout. Not one dull moment. It's an inredible story to watch on screen no matter which version you have.
The definitive Christmas Carol September 18, 2007
Mike Birman (Brooklyn, New York USA)
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
There have been many Christmas carols released over the years, including one filmed in 1936 by MGM and starring Reginald Owen. That film, though servicable as a reasonably faithful adaptation of Dicken's immortal story, is merely a pale reflection of the emotional depth and stylistic power provided by this brilliant version starring the great English actor, Alastair Sim. Director Brian Desmond Hurst creates an intense, emotionally driven, noirish atmosphere in which Scrooge is confronted by several shocks from his past (the death of his sister, the loss of his only love, his troubled view of his nephew, his complicity in the demise of his first employer's, Mr. Fezziwig's, business). These shocks allow Scrooge's conversion to a kinder, gentler Scrooge to acquire a much greater resonance: it is true redemption. It simply makes more sense when the raw human clay is a real man and not 2-dimensional cardboard.
Given Scrooge's loveless past, we begin to understand Scrooge as a character. Sympathy replaces the simplistic hatred of a caricature that too many retellings of this story evoke. Sim's performance is simply stunning. No performance of Scrooge duplicates the sheer emotional range provided by Sim. The rest of the cast is equally superb. This is a quintessentially English story and it merits an English production. All aspects of this production, from script to set design, acting to direction, are at the highest levels of excellence. You owe it to yourself to see this splendid, unforgettable production. And see it in its atmospheric, beautifully filmed black and white version: the way it was filmed, the way it was meant to be seen. Highest possible recommendation.
Mike Birman
Let's live like good old Fezziwig! September 18, 2007
J. Arena (Williamsburg, VA)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Disregard the colorized version of this DVD, and watch the original version in B&W. This is a movie that so impacted my thinking as a child that it effected the way I dealt with people in business my entire adult life.
A soft-hearted boy is turned into a miserly, joyless tightwad. His character is so well-defined that the name Scrooge has come to be the very definition of miserable cheapness.
Ahhhh, but it is the transformation that brings new life to this Scrooge without a soul, and brings a symbolic new birth at Christmas!
This is a timeless story to be cherished.
"A Christmas Carol (Scrooge 1951) ... Alastair Sim ... VCI Home Video (2007)" August 26, 2007
J. Lovins (Missouri-USA)
7 out of 12 found this review helpful
VCI Entertainment present "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" (aka: Scrooge) (Released: 28 November 1951 & 86 mins) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- now in COLOR and Glorious Black and White --- VCI has provided what is undoubtedly the best presentation of this adaptation to enjoy years to come --- one reason this version is so successful, as it doesn't stray too far from the original text --- Thankfully they have included the black and white version as well as the colorized version --- Patrick Macnee who has a brief role is on hand to introduce the film with a wonderful Holiday opening --- Sim is so brilliant as he essays Scrooge's slow conversion as the three ghosts past, present and future, take him on a tour of himself and his ultimate destiny should no change occur --- His deeply expressive face speaks volumes when confronted with the tragedies of his own life and that of Bob Cratchitt --- The icing on the cake is Scrooge's jubilation when he realizes he has a second chance at life --- the elation is palpable, brilliantly comedic and truly poignant all at the same time --- one can't help but feel happy at the sight of this man who realizes he has wasted his life and is ready to make amends --- it is without a doubt the late Alastair Sim who took this role and made it his own.
Under Brian Desmond Hurst (Director), George Minter (Producer), Charles Dickens (Book Author), Noel Langley (Screenwriter), C.M. Pennington-Richards (Cinematographer), Richard Addinsell (Composer (Music Score), Clive Donner (Editor), Ralph W. Brinton (Art Director), Eric Carter (Makeup) - - - - - - the story line and plot, On Christmas Eve in 1840's England, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him to change his ways or be doomed to eternal damnation --- The ghosts of Christmases past, present, and future to show him the error of Scrooge's ways and show the people who are able to keep Christmas in their hearts 365 days a year --- Brian Desmond Hurst directs a fine cast, headed by the incomparable Alastair Sim (a man who can play both malevolent and humorous) as the about-to-be-redeemed Ebenezer Scrooge. Sim's reactions are priceless and he settles down well in the role --- Sim's performance transcends all description of greatness --- Hurst's direction evokes the ideal emotions at all the right moments --- The rest of the cast remain faithful to the Dickens' characterizations --- It is a version which has holly, plum pudding and carol singers written all over it --- One of the major contributing aspects to the impact of the film is the memorable score by Richard Addinsell, conjuring up (and alternating between) both fear and joy, darkness and light, grief and happiness, the music stands out as the best of any film adaptation of the story --- a perfect collection if you want to get your family together for a quiet evening of holiday viewing --- over a half century later, "A Christmas Carol" is still working its MAGIC!
the cast includes:
Alastair Sim ... Ebenezer Scrooge
Kathleen Harrison ... Mrs. Dilber
Mervyn Johns ... Bob Cratchit
Hermione Baddeley ... Mrs. Cratchit
Michael Hordern ... Jacob Marley/Marley's Ghost
George Cole ... Young Ebenezer Scrooge
John Charlesworth ... Peter Cratchit
Francis De Wolff ... Spirit of Christmas Present (as Francis de Wolff)
Rona Anderson ... Alice
Carol Marsh ... Fan Scrooge
Brian Worth ... Fred
Miles Malleson ... Old Joe
Ernest Thesiger ... The Undertaker
Glyn Dearman ... Tiny Tim
Michael Dolan ... Spirit of Christmas Past
Olga Edwardes ... Fred's Wife
Roddy Hughes ... Mr. S. Fezziwig
Hattie Jacques ... Mrs. Fezziwig
Eleanor Summerfield ... Miss Flora
Louise Hampton ... Laundress
C. Konarski ... Spirit of Christmas Yet To Come
Eliot Makeham ... Mr. Snedrig
Peter Bull ... First Businessman, Narrator
Douglas Muir ... Second Businessman
Noel Howlett ... First Collector
Fred Johnson ... Second Collector
Henry Hewitt ... Mr. Rosehed
Hugh Dempster ... Mr. Groper
Maire O'Neill ... Alice's Patient
Richard Pearson ... Mr. Tupper
Patrick Macnee ... Young Jacob Marley (as Patrick MacNee)
Clifford Mollison ... Samuel Wilkins
Jack Warner ... Mr. Jorkin
BIOS
1. Alastair Sim
Date of Birth: 9 October 1900 - Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Date of Death: 19 August 1976 - London, England, UK.
2. Kathleen Harrison
Date of Birth: 23 February 1892 - Blackburn, Lancashire, England, UK
Date of Death: 7 December 1995
3. Mervyn Johns
Date of Birth: 18 February 1899 - Pembroke, Wales, UK
Date of Death: 6 September 1992 - Norwood, England, UK.
4. Hermione Baddeley
Date of Birth: 13 November 1906 - Broseley, Shropshire, England, UK
Date of Death: 19 August 1986 - Los Angeles, California
5. Michael Hordern
Date of Birth: 3 October 1911 - Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, UK
Date of Death: 2 May 1995 - Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK
6. George Cole
Date of Birth
22 April 1925, Tooting, London, England, UK
Date of Death: Still Living
7. Glyn Dearman
Date of Birth: 30 December 1939
Date of Death: 30 November 1997 - London, England, UK.
8. Charles Dickens (Author)
Date of Birth: 7 February 1812 - Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, UK
Date of Death: 9 June 1870 - Gad's Hill, Rochester, Kent, England, UK.
9. Brian Desmond Hurst (Director)
Date of Birth: 12 February 1900 - Castle Reagh, Ireland
Date of Death: 26 September 1986 - London, England, UK.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. Audio Commentary by Marcus Hearn & George Cole
2. "Spirit of Christmas Past" - George Cole Remembers Alastair Sim
3. "Richard Gordon Remembers - George Minter & Renown Pictures"
4. "Charles Dickens - His Life and Times"
5. Bonus Colorized Version
6. Before & After Restoration Comparison
7. Opitional English & Spanish Subtitles
8. Opitional Narrative for the Blind
9. Photo & Press Book Gallery
10.Cast Bios
11.Original American & British Theatrical Trailers
12."Scrooge" (1935 Seymour Hicks Verision)
Hats off to VCI Entertainment President Robert A. Blair, for this wonderful restored version of "Scrooge" --- the reason is VCI had access to the original 35mm film elements so they were able to supervise the films transfer and restoration." --- The highlight of this new DVD is the beautifully restored original black and white version --- This was accomplished by using the talent and state-of-the-art technology available at Point 360 in Burbank California --- The first step in the process was to do a complete new high definition film transfer from the multiple sources of 35mm film elements provided. Point 360 determined the best footage on a scene-by-scene basis and then assembled our video "supermaster" --- Overall dirt and film grain were removed from the picture using digital noise reduction --- Point 360 then used their own proprietary computer process to remove additional anomalies, dirt, hair and scratches from the picture on a frame-by-frame basis --- the final stage VCI's own video director made a final pass through the master to fine-tune the picture and remove additional imperfections --- perfection was the result, order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out VCI Entertainment where they are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector.
Total Time: 86 mins on DVD ~ VCI Home Video. ~ (10/23/2007)
Showing reviews 161-165 of 165
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