A Christmas Carol (TV 1984)

An old miser who makes excuses for his uncaring nature learns real compassion when 3 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. An old man who hates Christmas is taught the true meaning and spirit of Christmas by 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 | miser | christmas eve | compassion | 

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Taglines:

Rediscover the Joy of Christmas Spirit!

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Genres:

Comedy | 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:

Shrewsbury, Shropshire, 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

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

The string holding up the Spirit of Christmas Past's snuffer is briefly visible when she removes her hand from above it in the first scene with Scrooge. The snuffer shakes and wobbles perceptibly (as the string is slightly moved) throughout the scene.

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Quotes

Ebenezer Scrooge: These are garments, Mr. Cratchit. Garments were invented by the human race as a protection against the cold. Once purchased, they may be used indefinitely for the purpose for which they are intended. Coal burns. Coal is momentary and coal is costly. There will be no more coal burned in this office today, is that quite clear, Mr. Cratchit?
Bob Cratchit: Yes, Sir.
Ebenezer Scrooge: Now please get back to work before I am forced to conclude that your services here are no longer required.

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Connections

Version of Scrooge; or Marley's Ghost (1901)

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.