A Christmas Carol Blu-ray Review
A Christmas classic.
Based on the beloved novel by Charles Dickens and adapted by screenwriter Noel Langley, 1951’s “A Christmas Carol” (AKA “Scrooge”) revolves around the aging grouch Ebenezer Scrooge who is decidedly not in the Christmas spirit. On the night of Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley who tells him he needs to change his ways or end up like him. He also tells him he will be visited by 3 spirits- The Ghost Of Christmas Past, The Ghost Of Christmas Present and The Ghost Of Christmas Yet To Come. Through their visions, Ebenezer is forced to confront his past, his losses, his pain, his greed, the community around him (especially the Cratchit family), and his dark and bleak potential future if he does not change his ways. Will Scrooge be inspired to turn his life around?
Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst, the 1951 version of “A Christmas Carol” has become the gold standard of film adaptations (although “A Muppet Christmas Carol” deserves more respect). There have been countless versions over the years on both film and television, but this particular version has stood the test of time. It’s more streamlined, it has a moodier and darker tone, and it does a stellar job at retelling the timeless story for the big screen. You really get to see Scrooge’s transformation here in a way that feels earned and realistic which makes the themes about change and human kindness even more powerful in the end.
Of course, the most notable aspect of this adaptation is the performance by Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge. He goes above and beyond the writing on the page by giving a versatile and very human performance. We really see how the character has evolved throughout time in very distinct ways due to Sim’s extraordinary acting.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.37:1 1080p B&W. How does it look? This disc appears to be a re-release of the 2011 Blu-ray that features a “digitally restored from a 1080p, 24 fps hi-def transfer master produced from the 35mm negative and fine grain.” There have been some truly lousy prints of this movie in the history of home video, but this is a crisp print. Yes, there are dirt specs, flickers and other defects, but it’s the best one on the market thus far.
Audio Track: 5.1 Surround and Original Mono. How do they sound? The 5.1 track is a clean and solid option. The Original Mono track may be preferred by some but there are noticeable crackles and audio issues.
Extras:* VCI Entertainment ad
* DVD copy
* Leonard Maltin intro
* Commentary by Marcus Hearn and George Cole
* American and Original British theatrical trailers
* “The Darker Side Of A Classic”- A 26 minute extra in which British film historian Sir Christopher Frayling that talks about the film’s history, Alastair Sim, the special effects, the music, the tone, and more.
* “Distributing A Christmas Carol”- An interview with US distributor Richard Gordan
* “Life And Films Of Brian Desmond Hurst”- A featurette on the director’s career with biographer/great nephew Allan Esler Smith.
* “Too Good To Be Shown Only At Christmas”- A 32 minute visual essay with author Fred Guida
* “Scrooge” and “Bleak House” silent film excerpts.
* On The DVD: Campbell Playhouse radio drama adaptation and a “Bibliographic Essay By Fred Guida.”
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