This is the desert-island choice of the many versions of A Christmas Carol, with a magnificent, full-bodied portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge by Alastair Sim that leaves everyone else in the dust. Lean and direct, this film's version of the story wastes no time trying to impress viewers with the magical nature of the spirits' visitations. Director Brian Desmond Hurst keeps the focus on Scrooge's life story, beautifully simplifying and underscoring the theme of lost women with a haunting musical refrain from the folk song "Barbara Allen." Sim's commitment to the role is at times astonishing; his Scrooge's Christmas-morning ecstasy is a marvel of giddy technique. Watch for Patrick Macnee (Steed in The Avengers) as the young Jacob Marley--the actor made his screen debut in this 1951 production. --Tom Keogh

On the DVD
This ultimate collectors' edition is crammed with special features, on both discs.

Amazon exclusive video: George Cole, who played the young Ebenezer Scrooge, reflects.Watch here Find out what’s new on this restored version of A Christmas Carol. Watch here Never-before-seen U.S. and U.K. trailers. Watch here

Film (and Charles Dickens) fans won't want to miss a single screen. The audio commentary by Marcus Hearn and George Cole adds depth and perspective to Sim's amazing performance, and the groundbreaking special effects for the time. Cole also gives a homey remembrance of working with Sim during World War II and living in the English countryside to avoid the Blitz.

One of the most compelling extras is a short bio of George Mintner, the film's executive producer who would go on to found his own successful distribution company, Renown Pictures. An unlikely film mogul, the British Mintner was shy and bookish, but managed to build a reputable mini-studio in the '50s, out of the Hollywood limelight. He produced mostly B-movies, though after A Christmas Carol (originally titled Scrooge), he produced another Dickens adaptation, The Pickwick Papers. There's a great mini-bio of Dickens, who grew up in the poverty that later fascinated him in his writings. Other extras include the colorized version (what were people thinking back in the '80s?), cast bios, original trailers, and a features that more film companies might want to consider, an optional narration for the blind. Nothing is left out for film fans--God bless us, every one.--A.T. Hurley

Beyond A Christmas Carol

1938 version starring Reginald Owen

1984 version starring George C. Scott

1999 version starring Patrick Stewart

Stills from A Christmas Carol

christmas carol revisited

We had been looking for a copy of the Alastair Sim movie for quite a while as our video tape was sooo stretched! And what a wonderful copy this is.Glorious movie - excellent direction, production values and acting.Superb extra features courtesy of the multi-talented Tom Weaver and Marcus Hearn, both very knowledgeable about the genre.A wonderful addition to our collection, with the original ratio version (a thing my husband relishes) and a colourised version which is an interesting variation and the perfect time of year to acquire it.Couldnt ask for more.Merry Christmas Amazon!

The Ghost Of Xmas Past

Oh what a pity! This is just a re-hash of stuff that has been available seperately for a few years now. Firstly the b&w version is the excellent digitally enhanced 'Emerald Version' which may not still be available (but included most of the 'extras' listed here), coupled with the colourised version with intro by Patrick McNee which was issued around the late 90's (In the UK The Sun daily newspaper gave it away for free with their 40p(20 cents) paper last Christmas ) Why oh why didn't they let Legend Films colourise it? All you have to do is look at the colourised version of 'It's a Wonderful Life' to see the what they can now do ...... Crisp vibrant print and natural colours instead of the fuzzy colours on this version.So only 3 out of 5 (mainly for the Emerald Version)

The Best Version of the Best Movie Ever Made

Ever since I saw this movie on TV when I was seven years old, it has remained my favorite film by far. I defy anyone to watch this film and not be moved to tears by it. This is one of those rare movies in which every thing and everyone is perfect. Of course, Alastair Sim is the absolute star, making Scrooge incredibly real and psychologically true. There was an earlier version out last year, but this one surpasses it, being even clearer and having all of the original soundtract intact. I can't wait to look at the bonus features, including the Hicks version from 1935, also a fine film. I hear people say that this film is too good to watch only during Christmas; I heartly second that opinion.