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A Christmas Carol (1984) (TV)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
17 December 1984 (USA)
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Tagline:
A new powerful presentation of the most loved ghost story of all time!
Plot:
An old miser who makes excuses for his uncaring nature learns real compassion when 3 ghosts visit him on Christmas Eve. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Primetime Emmy.
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NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Edward Woodward obituary
(From The Guardian - TV News. 16 November 2009, 11:02 AM, PST)
Edward Woodward obituary
(From The Guardian - Film News. 16 November 2009, 11:02 AM, PST)
(From The Guardian - TV News. 16 November 2009, 11:02 AM, PST)
Edward Woodward obituary
(From The Guardian - Film News. 16 November 2009, 11:02 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Hard to imagine a better version.
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | George C. Scott | ... | Ebenezer Scrooge |
 | Frank Finlay | ... | Marley's Ghost |
| 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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
100 min
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Scrooge's grave can still be visited at St Chad's Church graveyard, Shrewsbury, where the churchyard sequence was shot - the production team left the gravestone in place once filming was completed.
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Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: Near the beginning of the movie, some children are sliding on some "ice" which ripples under their feet - it's actually some sort of plastic sheeting.
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Quotes:
Ebenezer Scrooge:
[looking at the Cratchit's feast] It's such a small bird.
Ghost of Christmas Present: [leaning in Scrooge's face] It's all Bob Cratchit can afford.
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Ghost of Christmas Present: [leaning in Scrooge's face] It's all Bob Cratchit can afford.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in Queer Duck: The Movie (2006) (V)
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FAQ
Is "A Christmas Carol" based on a book?A Note Regarding Spoilers
How does this version differ from the original novel?
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So this made for TV film scores only a 7.6 on this site? Bah! Humbug! Without question this 1984 version of Dickens' classic tale is the best ever made. And yes, the Hound has seen the 1951 version which was also good, but not good enough. The lack of color is perhaps the biggest shortcoming of that version, although the acting was wonderful.
George C. Scott is simply incredible as Ebenezer Scrooge. We all know the story of this stingy businessman who is haunted by the ghost of his dead partner, then by three other spirits later on that evening. Scott is properly gruff as Scrooge. Too gruff in fact for some critics who claim he is unable to project the new-found glee that he awakens to on Christmas morning after the spirits teach him a valuable lesson. But hey, this is George C. Scott. He's never going to go dancing down the street in a fit of joy. He has too much dignity, and his Scrooge projects his emotion in a realistic manner.
The supporting performances are uniformly excellent, as are the costumes, music, and scenery. 19th Century London comes to life in Clive Donner's visionary style. The film even borders on frightening in several scenes involving the spirits. The important tale of morality shines through in every frame, though.
You won't often find this version aired on television anymore, and that is a disappointment. The 1984 version of A Christmas Carol should be a required part of every household's celebration of the holiday. When the decorations come out of the basement, this film should find its way into the DVD player at least once during the season.
10 of 10 stars.
The Hound.