An old bitter miser who rationalizes his uncaring nature learns real compassion when three spirits visit him on Christmas Eve.
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Title: A Christmas Carol (TV Movie 1984)
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Primetime Emmy.
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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 | |
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
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 no friends, has disowned his only living relative - his nephew Fred Holywell - 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 after his death if he doesn't change his behavior for the better. Written by Jason Ihle <jrihl@conncoll.edu>
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A new powerful presentation of the most loved ghost story of all time! See more »Parents Guide:
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Ebenezer Scrooge: Indeed you do, sir.
Mr. Poole: You don't know us?
Ebenezer Scrooge: Nor do I wish to.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Liz Smith, who made a great career of playing Charles Dickens characters, played Mrs. Dilber again in A Christmas Carol (1999) starring Patrick Stewart, and then played the character "Joyce" in a "modernised" version of A Christmas Carol (2000). See more »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. See more »Quotes
Mr. Poole: Mr. Scrooge, I presume?Ebenezer Scrooge: Indeed you do, sir.
Mr. Poole: You don't know us?
Ebenezer Scrooge: Nor do I wish to.
See more »
Alternate Versions
Some VHS and DVD releases (but not all) edited out Marley's voice calling Scrooge in the apparitional hearse, and then again just before appearing in the knocker. See more »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Release Date:
17 December 1984 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
A Christmas Carol See more »Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1Contribute to This Page
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and possibly closest to the Dickens story line. Although I find the young Ebenezer hard to watch (who's idea was that period hair, surely they could have done better than that!), Scott does an incredible job as Scrooge. His delivery of some of the lines from Dickens finally brought it to life for me. Edward Woodward is everything we expect and more of the Ghost of Christmas present. I find G.C. Scott's Scrooge much more of a believable miser than the more current version done by Patrick Stewart. The scene Christmas Morning when Scrooge realizes he hasn't 'missed it', is enough to convince one that Scott knows how to act versus overact. He's phenomenal here. Nearly the entire cast is incredible. The Tiny Tim in this version of The Christmas Carol is a little tough to look at, almost too sweet. Still the music and the scenery make this a must watch every holiday. Enjoy!