Scrooge1951Scrooge
1951
On Christmas Eve, the miser Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his partner Marley and by three spirits. This British version adds scenes from Scrooge's youth, including the death of his beloved sister Fan, to show how his heart grew hard.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
Many call this the finest A Christmas Carol on film, and Alastair Sim's joyous repentance on Christmas morning is unforgettable. A deeper, darker companion to the gentler 1938 version already in the canon.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
The ghosts, the hooded Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, and two heart-wrenching deathbed scenes may frighten or sadden little ones. Scrooge's cruelty is shown as wrong and he repents fully, which is the point of the story.
Scrooge (1951)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why did Scrooge become so hard? Who was hurt by it?
- What did Scrooge do first on Christmas morning?
- How was this version different from the 1938 one?
- Which spirit frightened you most, and why?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 8+ (A Christmas Carol, 1951): frightening ghosts and two heart-wrenching deathbed scenes; serious themes of guilt and regret.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
A Christmas Carol Blu-ray (60th Anniversary Diamond Edition | Scrooge)
Blu-ray · November 8, 2011
Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.