A Christmas Carol (1984)

An old bitter miser who makes excuses for his uncaring nature learns real compassion when three ghosts visit him on Christmas Eve.

Director:

Clive Donner

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel), Roger O. Hirson (screenplay)

Stars:

George C. Scott, Frank Finlay, Angela Pleasence

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George C. Scott	...	Ebenezer Scrooge
Frank Finlay	...	Jacob Marley
Angela Pleasence	...	Ghost of Christmas Past
Edward Woodward	...	Ghost of Christmas Present
Michael Carter	...	Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
David Warner	...	Bob Cratchit
Susannah York	...	Mrs. Cratchit
Anthony Walters	...	Tiny Tim
Roger Rees	...	Fred Holywell / Narrator
Caroline Langrishe	...	Janet Holywell
Lucy Gutteridge	...	Belle
Nigel Davenport	...	Silas Scrooge
Mark Strickson	...	Young Scrooge
Joanne Whalley	...	Fan
Timothy Bateson	...	Mr. Fezziwig

Storyline

Made for television version of the Charles Dickens classic of the same name. Ebenezer Scrooge is a hard-nosed, single-minded businessman in Victorian London. He has disowned his only living relative - his nephew Fred - and generally treats everyone he meets with extreme contempt. He hates Christmas, only cares about making money and only gives his clerk, Bob Cratchit, the day off. However, he is taught the true meaning and spirit of Christmas by three ghosts who show him his own past and present. He is also shown what the future holds for him if he doesn't change his behavior.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | ghost | scrooge | miser | christmas eve | 

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Taglines:

A new powerful presentation of the most loved ghost story of all time!

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Portuguese

Release Date:

17 December 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Charles Dickens Weihnachtsgeschichte

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Entertainment Partners Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

George C. Scott was 6 feet tall, whereas Edward Woodward was only 5' 9" in height.

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Goofs

The dome of St Paul's Cathedral is visible just a few streets away from the Cratchits' house. Near the end of the film, however, Scrooge tells the poulterer to deliver a goose to the Cratchits' house in Camden Town (as named in the book) - over four miles away from St Paul's.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Ebenezer Scrooge: Humbug!

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Connections

Version of A Christmas Carol (1947)

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Soundtracks

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

The Best of all the Christmas Carol movies

Far richer in texture and character than even the classics from the 30's and 50's. George C. Scott was born to be Scrooge, just as he was born to be Patton. Mr. Scott will be known as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. The character of Scrooge as played by Mr. Scott seemed to jump off the screen. Scott as Scrooge brought an richer, more robust, yet a more deeply moving Scrooge to the screen than any of his predecessors in the role of the meanest man in 18th century London. Mr. Scott seemed to bring Scrooge to a more personal, understandable yet highly conflicted level; his role was acted with the great authority Scott always bring to the screen: yet his usual bellicose voice would sometimes be brought to a whisper, almost as a soliloquy, as he would berate the Christmas holiday in one breath, yet reveal his own human frailty in his next line. He could portray the sour and crusty Scrooge, and a misunderstood, sympathetic Scrooge all in the same scene.

Truly a remarkable performance by a giant of his generation.