Friday, December 9, 2016

Scrooge [A Christmas Carol] (1951) (Movie Review)


  Of all the classic Christmas tails I frequently return to every year, it’s the story of “A Christmas Carol” that I find myself returning to the most, and it’s always stood out as my own personal favorite. It's a story of redemption, remorse, regret, and the beauty of life all in one wholesome package. It’s also a story with ghostly apparitions, and dark tones, almost as if elements of my other favorite holiday are interwoven with the beauty of this one. Over the years, the Charles Dickins classic has probably had more film and TV adaptions then any story under the sun, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Of the many different versions, the one that seems to be universally regarded as the definitive film version … as well as a contender for the title of all-time greatest classic Christmas movie … is the 1951 version simply titled “Scrooge”. In America, the title of the movie was changed back to “A Christmas Carol”, but I’ve come to know it best as “Scrooge”. While this is not one of my personal favorite film versions, I can absolutely respect its position as one of the great holiday classics, and I think a closer look at this movie is warranted, just to see if it really earns its status as the absolute best version. Heck, this film is the only version that’s been debated as being arguably superior to the book itself, so there’s definitely more things to explore in this movie verses all the other adaptions.


  The movie begins with a cheerful opening title card sequence, which is appropriately paired with the song “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” … perfectly putting us in the right holiday mind-set. Based on the Novel by Charles Dickins, our story revolves around one Ebenezer Scrooge, the most heartless and joyless man in London, who hates Christmas, and thinks nothing of others. 
Despite all his wealth, he refuses to make charitable contributions to anyone, as well as treats his sole employee Bob Cratchit as an indentured servant, while his deathly ill son Tiny Tim goes completely unnoticed by the tyrant. One magical Christmas Eve, he’s visited by the ghost of his late partner Jacob Marley, who’s soul is doomed to linger in eternal damnation. He conveys a warning to Mr. Scrooge that his soul is just as doomed, but there may be a chance for salvation … if he but listen to the morals of three visiting spirits. They are the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, who take Ebenezer on a magical journey through time, analyze the errors of his ways, and it’s through the experience that Scrooge discovers the real riches of Christmas. Now infused with a new, cheery outlook, Scrooge sets out earning his redemption. This wasn’t the first movie to adapt the Dickens classic, and many of its predecessors from the classic era are likewise considered great one’s in-of-themselves. So, what makes this 1951 version universally regarded as the definitive best above all others … well, they're two things. For one, this was the first version to expand on story details and even ideas that were only hinted at in the novel. I’ll discuss the added additions latter in my review … for now, let's look at reason number two as to why this is still regarded as the best version … as it largely has to do with our lead talent.


  Of all the Scrooges past, present and yet to come, they will all be riding the coat tails of one Alistair Sims in the iconic role. This is it, the one that’s frequently cited as the absolute best portrayal of the character on film. He has this look of pure disgust, which is simply spot on. Even when frightened by the appearance of his ghostly friend, his look of fear is still married with his cynical look of absolute disgust and anger, which is something that few other portrayals of the character have been able to match. While Alistair Sims absolutely shines as the bitter miser, he’s also outstanding in bringing other emotions of the character to life. Both his remorse, as well as his unhinged joy during the ending are both some of the best as conveyed on film. While I have my own personal favorite portrayals of Scrooge from both Patrick Stewart and George C. Scott, Alister Sims is unmistakably a performance for the history books. There’s no other way to describe it, he is just chillingly good in the role, and the main reason that this film stands above its 1938 predecessor … at least in terms of popularity. Sims even reprised his role in an animated version of “A Christmas Carol” that debuted in 1971, proving again that he is the go-to talent for this character. 
 

  Before I go any further, I have to mention the colorized version of this film. In general, I don’t like when older B&W movies are colorized, as I feel it spoils the original presentation that made them classics in the first place. However, I make a huge exception for old classic Black and White Christmas movies that have been colorized. The Christmas season after all is one with warm and pleasing colors and decorations, which I want to see represented in my holiday movies and specials. 
As such, I prefer to watch the old classics like “Miracle on 34th Street” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” in their special colorized additions. “Scrooge” is no exception, as I find the film largely superior to watch in color. Surprisingly, it’s actually more decorative and appealing to look at then most other versions that were already filmed in color … isn’t that ironic. Most versions are characterized by a grainy, gloomy and down to earth presentation. This 1951 version of “Scrooge” when colorized is actually quite decorative, with very pleasing colors that put me in the holiday mood, and even the costumes seem tailor made for the season. For example, most appearances of Jacob Marley’s Ghost show him as a colorless figure in grey and white attire, while this colored version shows him as pail-skinned, but still wearing a bright green suit under all the chains. Also, during the epilogue of this colored version, we see that Scrooge has taken on a bright new look with red and green implemented in his suit … as opposed to other film versions that still keep him in his traditional black suit, even during the ending.


  Even the Spirit of Christmas Present looks superior to most other versions, as his traditional design is an all-Green Robe, while this colored version is a fine mix of both Red and Green. 
The only downgrade in this colored version is that the Ghost of Christmas Past now looks like the Virgin Mary in a blue-robed dress, which wouldn’t have been a problem … except in this film the spirit is portrayed by an old man. In general, I’ve always preferred the Spirit of Christmas past to be either a woman or little girl, and seeing this version in a colorized light-blue dress makes me wish all the more that it was a woman as opposed to an old man. 
However, the film makes up for it with this unique transition effect with a magic hourglass while Scrooge is traveling through the past. One other effect shot that sadly doesn’t hold up is when Scrooge looks out the window, and see’s multiple ghosts outside. It already looked week in the black and white version, but in color, it really looks like the exact same group shot of ghosts had been copied and past multiple times in one single frame. Also, regardless of color or not, I’ve always found this films version of the Ghost of Christmas Future to be extremely generic. While the traditional design of this entity is a darkly clocked figure, I’ve still seen some creative spins and alterations of its appearance. This version just looks like an average guy in a hood, and it doesn’t help that his introduction scene is a bare human hand being raised up in the foreground. Seriously, the film holds on this shot of the bare human hand of Christmas future for so long that it robs the entity of any suspense or terror. Heck, even the 1938 version of this spirit looked more imposing and menacing then in this film.  
 

  Nevertheless, this 1951 version has its superior qualities where it counts … namely with Scrooges trip to the past. Regardless of how I’d rank this movie against the other film versions of “A Christmas Carol”, I think this version has the absolute best, and most detailed trip to the past of any version. 
This movie adds so many compelling layers to Scrooges character from the past, to the point where it really does rival the book … but mostly in this segment. Most other versions will show a glimpse of Scrooge as a schoolboy, and that he had a falling-out with a love interest during his young adult years. This film by contrast takes it’s time developing Scrooges relation with his family, and especially the connection he makes with his sister. There’s a very powerful scene with Scrooge watching over her sister while she’s on her death bed, and her final words are for Scrooge to watch after her son. Not only dose Scrooge fail to keep this promise, but he’d also silently blame his nephew for the death of his sister. This scene once again highlights the strengths of the acting, as the older Scrooges look of pure regret contrasts effectively with the look of disgust on his younger self. There’s also a more detailed plotline of Scrooge betraying his master Fezziwig in order to seize control of the counting house. Scrooge of the past also feels eviler and more heartless than most other versions … especially in this one scene when he deliberately works late at the bank, just so he can avoid visiting his partner Marley on his death bed. When he’s greeted by the Undertaker at his house, there’s a wicked look of satisfaction on Scrooge that his partner has passed without him being present … only to discover that Marley is still barely clinging to life. This leads to my favorite scene in the whole film, in which Scrooge bids his final farewell to his partner while he’s on his deathbed. This scene highlights both the ruthlessness and sympathy of the character in perfect measure, and it’s something that I’ve always felt lacking from other film versions. It’s such a powerful scene that it honestly makes me forget I’m watching yet another version of “A Christmas Carol”, as it really helps make this one stand apart.


  Unfortunately, all the quality material of Scrooges trip to the past are also a double-edged sword, as I find his visits in both Christmas present and future to be average by comparison. While his time spent in Christmas present is honestly fine, it just doesn’t deliver quiet the same emotional beats that I’ve felt from other versions. 
For example, I find this movies portrayal of Bob Cratchit mostly forgettable, and his son Tiny Tim looks way too healthy and cheerful. Like, just by looking at him, you’d never once think this boy is at deaths door. The one addition to his time in Christmas Present that adds a lot to this film’s quality is this subtle moment when Scrooge silently goes to a corner, and laments that he’s beyond all hope of salvation. The Ghost of the Present then counters his doubts by making a subtle nod to Christ, and how his spirit lives on in mankind all year round, not just one night, and as long as his spirit lives within man, anyone’s soul has the chance of salvation. It’s a beautiful statement, and the one quality this sequence has over other versions of Christmas Present. Sadly, I don’t think Scrooges visit to the future offers as much as other adaptions. The scene in which Scrooges bedding gets auctioned off goes on for way too long and gets very boring. 
Other darker or sadder elements during this sequence have the misfortune of feeling rushed, and it just doesn’t deliver quiet the same impact of the other films I’ve seen. The epilogue thankfully is great, and once again proves why Alistair Sims is such a great talent in this film. He’s so full of joy that he goes completely off his rocker and scares the Hell out of his house maid. There’s still a rewarding moment of bonding between Scrooge and the maid on the staircase, and everything else in this ending hits all the right emotional beats. There’s an especially touching moment when he visits his nephew, becomes one with the family, and he has this really beautiful exchange with his nephew’s wife. Finally, my favorite addition to this ending comes after he makes amends with his partner Bob. We see him sitting there at his desk in silence, and then he quietly laments that he doesn’t deserve to feel so happy … but he just can’t help himself.    


  In the end, the 1951 version of “A Christmas Carol” is still a treasured classic, and a must-see if you’re a fan of the source material. While I still wouldn’t call this my absolute favorite movie adaption of the tale, it absolutely contains some of my favorite details and individual moments of any version. Of course, it’s Alistair Sims who makes the whole movie worth-while. Even if you feel you’ve been over-exposed to this story, this version feels fresh and different enough to stand-out from the crowd, even among the other classics that came before it.


Thanks for reading my review of the 1951 Holiday Classic “Scrooge” or “A Christmas Carol” … and continue to enjoy the Holiday Specials you Love!  
          
 The End
      

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