Which version of A Christmas Carol is the best?

There have been several great renditions of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the well-known story about an old grump who, with the help of three visiting spirits on Christmas Eve, finds the true meaning of being rich.

George C. Scott did an excellent version for TV in 1984, and Albert Finney played Ebenezer Scrooge in a 1970 movie musical. But my favorite is the 1951 screen adaptation starring Scottish character actor Alistair Sim.

Sim’s portrayal of the miserly and later redeemed Scrooge is pitch-perfect. What’s more, this version doesn’t shy away from the spiritual elements easily found in the book. A Christmas Carol is more of a morality play than a Sunday school lesson, but it does make it clear whose birthday we celebrate on Dec. 25. The 1951 production of A Christmas Carol is a great film, but beware: There are a lot of less-than-quality editions out there. For the best image and sound, look for the combo Blu-ray/DVD 60th Anniversary Edition issued in 2011.

In the 1970 adaptation of the classic tale, Finney brought a hammy vigor to his portrayal of Scrooge in a funny, touching, and highly entertaining musical version, simply titled Scrooge. The G-rated film contains a few moments that may frighten little ones, so mom or dad should be nearby to reassure. But this is a powerful parable also containing a few Christian undertones about a man finding redemption—and a new way of life. Scrooge airs tonight on Turner Classic Movies (TCM).

Listen to Phil Boatwright’s DVD reviews on The World and Everything in It.