A Christmas Carol (1951) | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

86% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings

Crotchety Victorian businessman Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) has no use for festivity, even at Christmas. After resentfully allowing timid clerk Bob Cratchit (Mervyn Johns) to have the holiday to spend with his loving wife (Hermione Baddeley) and family, Scrooge is swept into a nightmare. The ghost of his late partner, Jacob Marley (Michael Hordern), appears, warning that Ebenezer will be visited by three more spirits who will show the coldhearted man the error of his parsimonious behavior.

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A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol

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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.

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Critics Reviews

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A Christmas Carol (1951) | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Kevin Maher Times (UK) [Alastair Sim's] Dickens antihero is definitive, a cynical brute who nonetheless seems to be hiding tiny glimmers of kindness behind those huge, sad and soulful eyes. Rated: 5/5 Dec 16, 2022 Full Review A Christmas Carol (1951) | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Donald Clarke Irish Times Watching most versions, the viewer is tempted to punch happy Scrooge. Here we yearn to share a sherry with the newly jolly rogue. Rated: 4/5 Jan 10, 2017 Full Review A Christmas Carol (1951) | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Monika Maurer Empire Magazine Lashings of festive cheer and a fair dollop of fine performances will leave you in the mood for mince pies and a renewed sense of seasonal goodwill to all men. Rated: 4/5 Dec 5, 2012 Full Review A Christmas Carol (1951) | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Many great actors have tackled the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, including George C. Scott, Michael Caine, and, of course, Scrooge McDuck. Yet the definitive Ebenezer Scrooge would be the great Alastair Sim’s interpretation. Rated: 3.5/4 Nov 30, 2024 Full Review A Christmas Carol (1951) | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Rachel Wagner rachelsreviews.net The cinematography is uniformly strong with gorgeous shadows, lighting and atmosphere. Rated: A+ May 3, 2019 Full Review A Christmas Carol (1951) | Rotten Tomatoes (6) PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro Inarguably the definitive and best adaptation of Charles Dickens' seminal Christmas fable. Rated: 4/5 Nov 10, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

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Mark J Definitely one of the best adaptions. Sometimes the redemption of Scrooge does not feel earned, due to the amazing acting this is one where the redemption feels genuine. Not overall my favourite with the ghosts not connecting fully and some bits of the story not being fully needed in the flow. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/09/24 Full Review Michael H Overrated version of Dickens classic novel. Badly acted and way too much extra stuff that wasn't in the original story. Rated 1.5/5 Stars • Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/21/24 Full Review Jeff M After finally watching arguably the best-known version of Dickens' holiday classic, I am inclined to agree with those who consider this the gold standard of adaptations. Even though I have a special place in my heart for the 1938 version with Reginald Owen, I found myself slightly more entertained and certainly more moved by this film. And I feel confident in stating that no one will ever inhabit the role of Ebenezer Scrooge quite as well as Sim. He does the best job I've seen of portraying the misery and cruelty of Scrooge, which makes the epiphany so much more affecting than other versions. Sim is to Scrooge here what Edmund Gwenn is to MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET. Really the only minor criticisms I have are not with the filmmaking itself but the source material. As a cinematic experience, there's not much to fault here. It's a testament to the filmmaking that, after having seen what feels like 128 other versions of Dickens' 1843 novel, I found myself so emotionally connected to material that has become almost cliche. I particularly loved how Sim allows a bit of orneriness in Scrooge's transformation - he not only found his heart, but he also found his sense of humor. When all is said and done, if I were allowed only one CHRISTMAS CAROL motion picture to watch, this would most likely be my choice! It has joined the aforementioned 34TH STREET and EMMET OTTER'S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS on my list of holiday necessities. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/24 Full Review Howard K There are many great performances of this timeless story, but this one is easily the best. The performance by Alistair Sim is one of the finest of all time. What really sells this version is the phenomenal score by Richard Addinsell, one of the most underappreciated composers of the golden age of Hollywood. This is not only my favorite version of this story, it is my favorite holiday film, and the last thing I watch on Christmas Eve every year. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/29/23 Full Review Georgan G Watched this film since I was a child. Love the idea that if someone really wants to be a better person, it's possible. Great acting, great screenplay, one of my all time favorite Xmas movie. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/26/23 Full Review J H Alistair Sim's version of Scrooge is unmatched in my mind. The ghost of Christmas Present as well as the supporting characters does an excellent job bringing this classic to life. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Brian Desmond Hurst Director Alastair Sim Ebenezer Scrooge Kathleen Harrison Mrs. Dilber Mervyn Johns Bob Cratchit Hermione Baddeley Mrs. Cratchit Clifford Mollison Samuel Wilkins
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Synopsis Crotchety Victorian businessman Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) has no use for festivity, even at Christmas. After resentfully allowing timid clerk Bob Cratchit (Mervyn Johns) to have the holiday to spend with his loving wife (Hermione Baddeley) and family, Scrooge is swept into a nightmare. The ghost of his late partner, Jacob Marley (Michael Hordern), appears, warning that Ebenezer will be visited by three more spirits who will show the coldhearted man the error of his parsimonious behavior.

Director
Brian Desmond Hurst

Producer
Brian Desmond Hurst

Screenwriter
Noel Langley

Production Co
George Minter Productions

Genre
Holiday, Fantasy

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 28, 1951, Original

Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 20, 2016

Runtime
1h 26m
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