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 lead 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, lets 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 reprized 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 hour glass 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 avenge 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.
Never the less, 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 dose rival the book … but mostly in this segment. Most other versions will show a glimpse of Scrooge as a school boy, 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 plot-line 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 then 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 death-bed. 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 man-kind 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 over 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!
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