A miser is visited by three ghosts who task him with changing his ways.
This version of A Christmas Carol (wildly regarded as the best) is played straight, unlike some of the comedies that followed. Alastair Sim's performance is simply outstanding, there hasn't been a better Scrooge before or since, and this is extremely faithful to the text.
Despite its U certificate, very young children might be scared. Sim was particularly good at acting frightened. The screenplay is excellent, we know exactly who bitter, Christmas phobic Scrooge is, and the music is effective at highlighting the solemn tone.
Very much like It's A Wonderful Life (1946), this film is quite bleak for the majority of its running time and simply joyous at the end. Scrooge's turn around is believable because the ghosts don't go easy on him. Sim plays the jubilant change better than anyone, and once seen, will never be forgotten! Excellent. "God bless us everyone!"
FG FG FG FG
OTHER CAST INCLUDES: Mervyn Johns, Hermione Baddeley, Jack Warner, Kathleen Harrison, Michael Hordern and George Cole. DIRECTED BY: Brian Desmond Hurst. SCREENPLAY BY: Noel Langley. RUNNING TIME: 86 minutes. CERTIFICATE: U / G. USA.
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