A Christmas Carol
Seen it?1938 | 69 min | Drama, Fantasy, Family
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for fantasy fans and families. If you loved Scrooge or It's a Wonderful Life, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Feel-good.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 9 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1938: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his own future will hold: death or redemption.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 100K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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It's a Wonderful Life
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Cast & crew
Directed by Edwin L. Marin
- Reginald OwenEbenezer Scrooge
- Gene LockhartBob Cratchit
- Terry Kilburn'Tiny Tim' Cratchit
- Barry MacKayScrooge's Nephew Fred
- Lynne CarverFred's Fiancee Bess
- Leo G. CarrollMarley's Ghost
- Ann RutherfordSpirit of Christmas Past
- Lionel BrahamSpirit of Christmas Present
- Ronald SinclairYoung Ebenezer
- Kathleen LockhartMrs. Cratchit