A Christmas Carol

Critics Consensus

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.

85%

TOMATOMETER

Reviews Counted: 33

89%
liked it

Audience Score

User Ratings: 53,501

TOMATOMETER

N/A
All Critics | Top Critics
Average Rating: N/A
Reviews Count: 0
Fresh: 0
Rotten: 0

AUDIENCE SCORE

89%
Average Rating: 3.4/5

You may have noticed some of the recent changes we have made. To read more about what we’ve been working on behind the scenes, please check out our new RT Product Blog here.


Want to See

Add Rating
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 life and has been condemned to an eternity of wandering the Earth in shackles. Marley informs Scrooge that he's to receive a trio of spirits that night who will take him on a journey through Christmases Past, Present, and Yet to Come. As Scrooge encounters each apparition, he is taken on a tour of his life and realizes what a wretch he is, transformed by greed from an idealistic youth into an embittered ogre. Infused with a new, cheery outlook, Scrooge sets about earning his redemption. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Cast

Alastair Sim
as Ebenezer Scrooge
Kathleen Harrison
as Mrs. Dilber
Mervyn Johns
as Bob Cratchit
Hermione Baddeley
as Mrs. Cratchit
Michael Hordern
as Jacob Marley
John Charlesworth
as Peter Cratchit
Glyn Dearman
as Tiny Tim
George Cole
as Scrooge as young man
Rona Anderson
as Alice
Carol Marsh
as Fan Scrooge's Sister
Brian Worth
as Fred
Olga Edwardes
as Fred's Wife
Roddy Hughes
as Mr. Fezziwig
Hattie Jacques
as Mrs. Fezziwig
Clifford Mollison
as Mr. Wilkins
Michael Dolan
as Ghost of Christmas Past
Francis De Wolff
as Ghost of Christmas Present
C. Konarski
as Ghost of Christmas Future
Ernest Thesiger
as Undertaker
Miles Malleson
as Old Joe
Louise Hampton
as Laundress
Noel Howlett
as First Collector
Fred Johnson
as Collector
Peter Bull
as First Businessman
Douglas Muir
as Businessman
Eliot Makeham
as Snedrig
Henry Hewitt
as Rosehed
Hugh Dempster
as Groper
David Hannaford
Maire O'Neill
Richard Pearson
Eleanor Summerfield
Patrick Macnee
as Young Jacob Marley
Jack Warner
as Mr. Jorkins
Alastair Sin
View All

Critic Reviews for A Christmas Carol

All Critics (33) | Top Critics (7)

View All Critic Reviews (33)

Audience Reviews for A Christmas Carol

½

It's a classic. The performances are wonderful and the atmosphere is suitably eerie and memorable. It loses a few points, though, for dragging in the middle, but besides a dip in energy, the film still resonates with all who see it as a beautiful and timeless achievement.

Matthew Samuel Mirliani
Matthew Samuel Mirliani

Super Reviewer

½

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 expanded upon, with earlier scenes of Marley and Scrooge including an embezzling scam that shows their ruthless business technique. It all makes for a dense and almost perfect adaptation.

Luke Baldock
Luke Baldock

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 the story than most versions. especially during the visions of scrooges past, this film contains quite a few scenes not found in the novel or any other film version, thankfully each of the additions work really well to create a complete and compelling version of this wonderful story.

danny d
danny d

Super Reviewer

this movie made me incomparably happy. christmas classic.

Jennifer Xu
Jennifer Xu

Super Reviewer

View All

A Christmas Carol Quotes

View All Quotes

News & Features