A Christmas Carol [Blu-ray]
Starring: Alastair Sim, Jack Warner, Kathleen Harrison, Mervyn Johns, Hermione BaddeleyDirector: Brian Desmond Hurst
Studio: VCI Entertainment
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
Running Time: 86 minutes
DVD Release: November 3rd 2009
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DVD Review
VCI is pleased to present this holiday classic first time ever on Blu-Ray! Some of Britain's best filmmakers united to produce one of England's greatest classics in this, the most well-known and critically acclaimed version of Charles Dickens' timeless tale. With an authentic, dramatic script by later-director Noel Langley, a superb performance by Alastair Sim and company, and under the careful direction of Brian Desmond Hurst, the 1951 filmed version of "A Christmas Carol" emerges as an outstanding cinematic presentation. Bonus Features: New State-of-the-Art High Definition Film Transfer from the original 35mm negatives digitally restored picture and sound, Original Theatrical 1.33:1 Version, Optional English & Spanish Subtitles, Optional Dolby Digital 2.0 or 5.1, Audio Commentary by George Cole, Cast Bios, Bonus! Also Includes the Standard DVD with both 4x3 and 16x9 versions. Product Specs: Blu-Ray & 1-DVD9s; Dolby Digital; 86 minutes; Color/B&W; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - NR; Year - 1951; SRP - $29.99.
User Reviews
Classic version of a classic - Rating: 5/5
Due to the circumstances and choices in the life of Ebenezer Scrooge, he has chosen money over mankind. His partner now seven years dead comes back to warn Ebenezer of his afterlife fate if he does not change his ways. To assist in this task are three spirits, Christmas past (his past), Christmas present, and Christmas of things to come. Can or will Ebenezer change his ways? Why should he?
There are many versions of this tale floating around out there including study books and animated movies. Of all these versions, a few stand out.
Made in the era of black and white, one cannot help but shun any attempt to colorize it. The Alastair Sim version is a product of its day and he does a very good job of portraying Ebenezer Scrooge. He comes across as mean in his speech of "are there no work houses?" and stingy, displayed during his meal, upon hearing that more bread will cost he says, "No more bread."
On Christmas morning he goes overboard with the maniacal laughter. This is probably emphasized to show his change of heart and to allow him to scare the maid. However it does distract from the story. The story is modified a bit but unless you have been reading the book you will not notice this. To tie his childhood memories of his sister to his present day nephew, they play "Barbra Allen" in the back ground (nice touch.)
All in all this will make a nice addition to you Christmas collection.
There are many versions of this tale floating around out there including study books and animated movies. Of all these versions, a few stand out.
Well with all the media adaptations, we finally have Blu-ray. From history, I find that a good remaster and a 46" screen work well enough. However, because I have a Blu-ray player I chose Blu-ray when ever available at any cost.
A Christmas Story (Ultimate Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray]
A Christmas Carol
Is this 1.33:1 and black and white? - Rating: 3/5
Obviously, I do not own this Blu-ray yet because it will not be released until November 3, 2009. However, I must comment because the Product Description is so unclear that I do not feel safe pre-ordering the disc. The review software forces me to assign a rating so I gave it 3 stars.
The Product Description says "Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen". NTSC is the old standard definition TV system! For the Blu-ray, it should say "Format: B&W, 1080p, 1.33:1". A Christmas Carol (UK title Scrooge) was originally filmed in black and white at a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. If the Blu-ray is not black and white and 1.33:1, I will not buy it.
I have the VCI Home Video DVD, which has the B&W 1.33:1 version on one side of the disc and the colorized 1.33:1 version on the other side. The Product Description says "Original Theatrical 1.33:1 Version ....Also Includes the Standard DVD with both 4x3 and 16x9 versions." If they have included the original DVD, it should say "both B&W and colorized versions in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio" (or in 4x3). The DVD also says "fully restored and re-mastered from the original 35mm negative discovered in England". I'm guessing they did an MPEG-2 HD mastering and down-converted it to standard definition for the DVD.
sincerely hope the description is true - Rating: 5/5
I sincerely hope the description is true and this disk represents an HD transfer from the original studio negative, because every previous version I've seen of this brilliant, delightful and touching movie (I've owned VHS, LaserDisc and DVD copies) has looked like it was filmed through the bottom of a murky Coke bottle and has had horrible muffled sound with inaudible dialog. This classic deserves to be treated with great respect and I eagerly look forward to reviews of this disk when it is released. I'll snap it up in a heartbeat if this disk is good.
