A Christmas Carol- Ultimate 2 Dvd Collector's Edition

Product Description Sim's tour-de-force performance as the ultimate miser has almost single-handedly made this beloved version of the Dickens story into one of the best-loved Christmas films of all time. This ''2-disc collector's edition'' features a new state-of-the art High Definition transfer from the original 35mm negatives, also the 1935 version of the story, audio commentary by Marcus Hearn, George Cole, video featurettes, trailers, lots more. Amazon.com This is the desert-island choice of the many versions of A Christmas Carol, with a magnificent, full-bodied portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge by Alastair Sim that leaves everyone else in the dust. Lean and direct, this film's version of the story wastes no time trying to impress viewers with the magical nature of the spirits' visitations. Director Brian Desmond Hurst keeps the focus on Scrooge's life story, beautifully simplifying and underscoring the theme of lost women with a haunting musical refrain from the folk song "Barbara Allen." Sim's commitment to the role is at times astonishing; his Scrooge's Christmas-morning ecstasy is a marvel of giddy technique. Watch for Patrick Macnee (Steed in The Avengers) as the young Jacob Marley--the actor made his screen debut in this 1951 production. --Tom Keogh Additional Features This ultimate collectors' edition is crammed with special features, on both discs. Amazon exclusive video: George Cole, who played theyoung Ebenezer Scrooge, reflects. Find out what’s new on this restored version of A Christmas Carol. Never-before-seen U.S. andU.K. trailers. Film (and Charles Dickens) fans won't want to miss a single screen. The audio commentary by Marcus Hearn and George Cole adds depth and perspective to Sim's amazing performance, and the groundbreaking special effects for the time. Cole also gives a homey remembrance of working with Sim during World War II and living in the English countryside to avoid the Blitz. One of the most compelling extras is a short bio of George Mintner, the film's executive producer who would go on to found his own successful distribution company, Renown Pictures. An unlikely film mogul, the British Mintner was shy and bookish, but managed to build a reputable mini-studio in the '50s, out of the Hollywood limelight. He produced mostly B-movies, though after A Christmas Carol (originally titled Scrooge), he produce