The only real criticism I see is an attempt to colourize the film somewhere back in the eighties ... really awful and quite pointless. This version of Dicken's classic was made in 1951 and the monochrome adds intensity to the harsh atmosphere of early nineteenth century London. In comparison the interpretation made in 1984 with George C. Scott as the principal character came across as Disneyified mush. Sim's Scrooge is the product of the immediate post WW2 period where social democratic ideas were strongly felt particularly in England. This is reflected in the strange combination of sincerity and sentiment which is seen in many other films of that period. Might also explain the liberties that were taken with the original story and some of the mistakes ( like Scrooge's younger sister which couldn't be if the mother died in childbirth ).
In some ways "Scrooge" is the soft "family" version of Bogarts "Rick" in Casablanca. Personal strength in the service of that which is good. In a postmodernist age this concept must be as foreign as the horse-drawn cabs in Soho.
In some ways "Scrooge" is the soft "family" version of Bogarts "Rick" in Casablanca. Personal strength in the service of that which is good. In a postmodernist age this concept must be as foreign as the horse-drawn cabs in Soho.