To a previous post, the only version I can think of in which Scrooge falls through grave and ends up in Hell is the 1970 musical SCROOGE with Albert Finney. I don't remember seeing little devils though.
As to this 1951 film, I recently revisited it again, and enjoyed it more than previously. Alastair Sim truly is amazing. He's at times sad, other times shy, and then funny. His scenes of redemption at the end are classic. In fact, when people say Sim is the greatest, I'm sure they are thinking of the final moments of the film in which Scrooge runs around his house, scaring his housekeeper (wanting to stand on his head, etc). I do believe Ebenezer Scrooge is a character open to various interpretations however. Which is why I also love the performances of George C. Scott and Michael Caine in their respective portrayals of Scrooge. All three are very different, but quite wonderful in their own ways.
The reason I don't give this version the highest review is simply because I find the pacing to be a bit off. The 1951 version spends WAY too much time on Scrooge's past. Among scenes not usually in other versions, we bear witness to Scrooge's business dealings and two death-bed scenes. While I agree Scrooge's past is important for us to see how he became such a miser, his "present" is important in showing Scrooge that the world goes beyond his counting house. And the "future" is importing in showing Scrooge the consequences of his actions. The worst part of spending so much time in Scrooge's past is we sometimes feel alone in these flashbacks. By that I mean, we don't see enough of Alastair Sim's reactions to many of these tragic moments of his life. All too often we only see his reaction at the end of the scene before transitioning to the next. In other words, we sometimes forget Sim is there during the flashbacks, making the already long Christmas Past seem quite longer.
Also, there are few too many obvious moments...moments that are a little too telling. Such as when Scrooge tells his sister she must never die...she must live forever. Or when Scrooge's fiancé makes him promise that he'll always love her despite her lack of wealth. These are moments of obvious foreshadowing, and lack subtlety.
Also lacking subtlety is the moment Tiny Tim supposes the prize Turkey given anonymously to the Cratchet's in fact came from Scrooge. It's almost as if a magical little angel whispered into Tim's ear that Scrooge is the benefactor...please!
Speaking of "Tiny" Tim, what exactly is so tiny about him? Probably the healthiest interpretation of the character I've ever seen. I thought he just sprained his ankle or something. Seriously, that boy must've been about 15 years old. He's almost as tall as his father. The sight of his huge crutch leaning against the wall is almost...ALMOST as funny as the ridiculous visual of Bob Cratchet carrying Tim on his shoulder. That moment has to be seen to be believed.
Anyway, despite all this I do like the 1951 A Christmas CAROL. Alastair Sim is so good and his redemption so joyous and touching, it would be a shame to miss it.
As to this 1951 film, I recently revisited it again, and enjoyed it more than previously. Alastair Sim truly is amazing. He's at times sad, other times shy, and then funny. His scenes of redemption at the end are classic. In fact, when people say Sim is the greatest, I'm sure they are thinking of the final moments of the film in which Scrooge runs around his house, scaring his housekeeper (wanting to stand on his head, etc). I do believe Ebenezer Scrooge is a character open to various interpretations however. Which is why I also love the performances of George C. Scott and Michael Caine in their respective portrayals of Scrooge. All three are very different, but quite wonderful in their own ways.
The reason I don't give this version the highest review is simply because I find the pacing to be a bit off. The 1951 version spends WAY too much time on Scrooge's past. Among scenes not usually in other versions, we bear witness to Scrooge's business dealings and two death-bed scenes. While I agree Scrooge's past is important for us to see how he became such a miser, his "present" is important in showing Scrooge that the world goes beyond his counting house. And the "future" is importing in showing Scrooge the consequences of his actions. The worst part of spending so much time in Scrooge's past is we sometimes feel alone in these flashbacks. By that I mean, we don't see enough of Alastair Sim's reactions to many of these tragic moments of his life. All too often we only see his reaction at the end of the scene before transitioning to the next. In other words, we sometimes forget Sim is there during the flashbacks, making the already long Christmas Past seem quite longer.
Also, there are few too many obvious moments...moments that are a little too telling. Such as when Scrooge tells his sister she must never die...she must live forever. Or when Scrooge's fiancé makes him promise that he'll always love her despite her lack of wealth. These are moments of obvious foreshadowing, and lack subtlety.
Also lacking subtlety is the moment Tiny Tim supposes the prize Turkey given anonymously to the Cratchet's in fact came from Scrooge. It's almost as if a magical little angel whispered into Tim's ear that Scrooge is the benefactor...please!
Speaking of "Tiny" Tim, what exactly is so tiny about him? Probably the healthiest interpretation of the character I've ever seen. I thought he just sprained his ankle or something. Seriously, that boy must've been about 15 years old. He's almost as tall as his father. The sight of his huge crutch leaning against the wall is almost...ALMOST as funny as the ridiculous visual of Bob Cratchet carrying Tim on his shoulder. That moment has to be seen to be believed.
Anyway, despite all this I do like the 1951 A Christmas CAROL. Alastair Sim is so good and his redemption so joyous and touching, it would be a shame to miss it.