Critic Reviews

Scrooge (1951) Rank 5 Reviews

Expert Review Summary

Movie critics combined give Scrooge (1951) a score of 3.1496 out of 4

based on (25) reviews

Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating

Excellent

(8)

Very Good

(13)

Good

(4)

Fair

(0)

Poor

(0)

Reviews by Score:

DVDTown.com (John J. Puccio)

Of the many film versions...this one from 1951 is the most faithful to the spirit of the book. ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at DVDTown.com (John J. Puccio)

Foster on Film - Christmas

This British, B&W version of the well-known story is generally considered to be the finest version by critics and viewers alike, and I agree. If you're reading this, chances are you are well acquainted with Mr. Dicken's ghostly tale of redemption and ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at Foster on Film - Christmas

Christian Spotlight on the Movies

This novel by Charles Dickens has been filmed many times; the general consensus (and I agree) is that this 1951 production is the best version. Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) has an extreme case of greediness and a lack of normal ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at Christian Spotlight on the Movies

TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)

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. ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)

Movie Vault (John Ulmer)

Few characters are a true part of culture. Various creatures come and go, but only a few really stick around for eternity. Ebenezer Scrooge is one of those rare characters such as George Bailey or The Terminator who are quoted or imitated or just ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at Movie Vault (John Ulmer)

ReelViews (James Berardinelli)

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. ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)

Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)

Moves through a brisk 86 minutes with just enough time to linger on poignant moments. ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)

The SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review

This is generally regarded as the best of the numerous screen adaptions of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1843). A Christmas Carol (1938) probably has a slight edge, but this is still a well worthwhile adaptation. ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at The SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review

filmsgraded.com (Brian Koller)

It tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim), an elderly businessman who has grown cold-hearted and miserly over the years, discarding family and disregarding his employees, especially humble clerk Bob Crachit (Mervyn Johns). On Christmas Eve, ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at filmsgraded.com (Brian Koller)

TeachWithMovies.org (--)

This is the classic film presentation of Dickens' immortal Christmas story about Ebenezer Scrooge and his discovery of the joys of sharing. The story also provides a harsh critique of conditions in England at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at TeachWithMovies.org (--)

BBCi - Films

Dickens' work often lends itself well to the screen and this is no exception. 'The sentimental romance' as he called it displays his characteristic toughness. The original dialogue, in particular, translates effortlessly. The story concerns Ebenezer ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at BBCi - Films

Apollo Movie Guide (Brian Webster)

This classic version of Charles Dickens' holiday season novel features the ultimate Scrooge - Alastair Sim - in the starring role. ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at Apollo Movie Guide (Brian Webster)

New York Times (Bosley Crowther)

What we have in this rendition of Dickens' sometimes misunderstood Carol is an accurate comprehension of the agony of a shabby soul. ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at New York Times (Bosley Crowther)

Apollo Guide (Brian Webster)

Some of the more recent film versions of the story are considerably more sumptuous than this rather Spartan-looking production, but none of them do a better job of conveying the character of Ebenezer Scrooge or the themes of the story. ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at Apollo Guide (Brian Webster)

DVD Verdict - Special Deluxe Edition

This DVD, released by VCI as a "deluxe special" edition, replaces a few earlier versions of A Christmas Carol. ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at DVD Verdict - Special Deluxe Edition

Reel.com DVD review (Pam Grady)

Ah, Jack Frost roasting on an open fire. Chestnuts nipping at your nose. Signs that can only mean one thing: The holidays are once again upon us. Time to gather loved ones around what now passes for the family fire = the television. ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at Reel.com DVD review (Pam Grady)

Cinescape (--)

This sumptuous British production of the great Dickens novel is not just a perrenial holiday favorite, but one of the best ghost stories ever filmed. Wretched miser Ebenezer Scrooge is brought to vivid life in the performance of Alastair Sim. The screen ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at Cinescape (--)

Movie Views (Ryan Cracknell)

Other than the Bible's gospels, the best known Christmas story is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It's also been a favourite amongst filmmakers, having been faithfully translated and spoofed countless times. Of all the faithful adaptations, the best ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at Movie Views (Ryan Cracknell)

Britmovie

Since its publication in 1843, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol has been adapted many times for the big screen, running the casting gamut from Reginald Owen to Bill Murray to Kermit the Frog. Brian Desmond Hurst's faithful adaptation is festive fare ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at Britmovie

DVDTown (John J. Puccio)

Good things just keep getting better. Several years ago I reviewed VCI's "A Christmas Carol" on DVD, and since VCI have recently provided the film with a new cleanup and remastering, I thought it was time to revisit this favored classic. Of the ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at DVDTown (John J. Puccio)

Metro Pulse (Knoxville, TN) (Knoxville TN)

Charles Dickens wrote a lot of great books, many of them better than A Christmas Carol. But while many of his works have been made into movies, none has been revisited so often and so diversely as the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the three ghosts. No one ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at Metro Pulse (Knoxville, TN) (Knoxville TN)

Time Out (--)

Surprisingly, there isn't a film version of the Dickens novella which merits the imprimatur 'classic'. The Muppets had a good stab at it, and Bill Murray was well cast in the otherwise scattershot Scrooged. On the plus side, this version is cast like an ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at Time Out (--)

filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)

Sadly this 1951 rendition has aged terribly. ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)

Channel 4 Film ()

A bland, stodgy movie. ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at Channel 4 Film ()

filmcritic.com

It's probably the best-known version of A Christmas Carol on film, but sadly this 1951 rendition has aged terribly. Watch it today and you'll immediately note the atrocious sound quality and that the special effects aren't any better than the version ...read the complete Scrooge movie review at filmcritic.com

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