Rotten Tomatoes Logo Do you want to see ‘Scrooge (A Christmas Carol)’?

Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) (1951)

tomatometer

83

Average Rating: 7.8/10
Reviews Counted: 24
Fresh: 20 | Rotten: 4

It hasn't aged particularly well, but the 1951 adaptation of Charles Dickens' timeless classic is perhaps the most faithful film version -- and Alastair Sim's performance as Scrooge is not to be missed.

No Score Yet...

Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

It hasn't aged particularly well, but the 1951 adaptation of Charles Dickens' timeless classic is perhaps the most faithful film version -- and Alastair Sim's performance as Scrooge is not to be missed.

audience

72

liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 51,937

My Rating

Movie Info

Widely considered to be the definitive of the many film versions of Charles Dickens' classic novel is this 1951 British adaptation, starring Alastair Sim (entitled Scrooge in its U.K. release). Sim plays Ebenezer Scrooge, a London miser who, despite his wealth, refuses to make charitable contributions and treats his sole employee, Bob Cratchit, as an indentured servant. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his late business partner, Jacob Marley, who was as selfish as Scrooge in

Nov 3, 1998

United Artists

Cast

All Critics (24) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (24) | Rotten (4) | DVD (9)

Though Dickens' frank sentimentality calls for broad treatment, Brian Desmond Hurst's direction is too often heavy as well.

December 5, 2008 Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | Comment (1)
TIME Magazine
Top Critic IconTop Critic

What we have in this rendition of Dickens' sometimes misunderstood Carol is an accurate comprehension of the agony of a shabby soul.

March 25, 2006 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comment (1)
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

At a reasonably short 85 minutes, this is nevertheless a complete experience, and the strength and depth of its drama makes it the most memorable of any adaptation of the tale.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: ReelViews | Comment
ReelViews
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The classic book brought to life.

January 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

One of the handful of best Christmas movies ever made.

December 25, 2009 Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies | Comment

For many decades, this 1951 production was considered to be the best adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," and it is easy to see why: it features excellent production values and a wonderful performance by Alastair Sim as Scrooge.

December 23, 2009 Full Review Source: Cinefantastique | Comment
Cinefantastique

If I dare to say it, a more dramatically successful work than Dickens's novella.

November 29, 2009 Full Review Source: Antagony & Ecstasy | Comment
Antagony & Ecstasy

The film never looked better than it does now in high definition and lossless sound. (60th Anniversary Blu-ray Edition)

November 11, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

Of the many film versions, this one from 1951 with Alastair Sim as Scrooge is the most faithful to the spirit of the book.

November 11, 2009 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

Moves through a brisk 86 minutes with just enough time to linger on poignant moments.

December 20, 2007 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | Comment (1)
Combustible Celluloid

A bland, stodgy movie.

November 27, 2007 Full Review Source: Film4 | Comment

Still an effective and wonderful holiday film with great performances, top notch direction, and utterly fantastic visuals...

September 5, 2007 Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | Comment
Cinema Crazed

Alastair Sim's performance in Dickens' hoary holiday classic provided one of the defining moments of his career; the result is the definitive filming of the story, breathing life into the familiar plot while earnestly hewing to the author's vision.

December 4, 2006 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | Comment
TV Guide's Movie Guide

You have what Scrooge himself might call 'Ho-hum-bug.'

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment

Sadly this 1951 rendition has aged terribly.

December 11, 2005 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | Comment (1)
Filmcritic.com

Most agree that Alastair Sim's 1951 spin as Scrooge is the best, and truest to the novel.

October 24, 2004 Comment (1)

This restored feature looks better than many of the TV prints now being offered. This is can't-miss holiday entertainment.

November 27, 2003 Full Review | Comment
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Scrooge (A Christmas Carol)

Perhaps not a definitive version, as there never could be one for this story. However, this is probably the most well rounded version. Great performances, especially from Sim, help to create a believable and emotionally taxing experience. The other high point of this film are the bits that are added. The book is

December 25, 2009
kiriyamakazou

Super Reviewer

many still consider this the definitive film version of a Christmas carol, and in many ways it still is. alastair sim is brilliant as srooge, doing a great job of selling each emotion and change of perspective. despite this films reputation as the definitive version, its surprising that this version also adds more to

January 26, 2007
sanjurosamurai
danny d

Super Reviewer

Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) Quotes

No quotes approved yet for Scrooge (A Christmas Carol). Logged in users can submit quotes.

Movies Like Scrooge (A Christmas Carol)

Latest News for Scrooge (A Christmas Carol)

What's Hot On RT

Critics Consensus
Critics Consensus

Journey 2 Not Worth the Trip

Luis Guzman
Luis Guzman

What are his 10 best movies ever?

<em>Amazing Spider-Man</em>
Amazing Spider-Man

See the all-new action-packed trailer!

The Avengers!
The Avengers!

Five new Marvelous pictures

Top Movie Quizzes

LEGO Mania: 2011 Best Picture Nominees
by natalie - 18,566 taken
created 12 months ago
How Much Do You Know About Leonardo DiCaprio?
by natalie - 44,437 taken
created 15 months ago
Pixar Movies!
by jdikwlzviv - 27,153 taken
created 15 months ago
The Wizards of Harry Potter
by jdikwlzviv - 27,649 taken
created 15 months ago
Help | About | Jobs | Newsletter | Critics Submission | API | Licensing | Blog | Developers | Mobile