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A Christmas Carol

  • TV Movie
  • 19841984
  • PGPG
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
15K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
George C. Scott, Angela Pleasence, and Edward Woodward in A Christmas Carol (1984)
  • Drama
  • Family
  • Fantasy
A bitter old miser who rationalizes his uncaring nature learns real compassion when three spirits visit him on Christmas Eve.A bitter old miser who rationalizes his uncaring nature learns real compassion when three spirits visit him on Christmas Eve.A bitter old miser who rationalizes his uncaring nature learns real compassion when three spirits visit him on Christmas Eve.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
15K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Clive Donner
  • Writers
    • Charles Dickens(novel)
    • Roger O. Hirson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • George C. Scott
    • Frank Finlay
    • Angela Pleasence
Top credits
  • Director
    • Clive Donner
  • Writers
    • Charles Dickens(novel)
    • Roger O. Hirson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • George C. Scott
    • Frank Finlay
    • Angela Pleasence
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 205User reviews
    • 20Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos60

    George C. Scott, Angela Pleasence, and Edward Woodward in A Christmas Carol (1984)
    George C. Scott, Angela Pleasence, and Edward Woodward in A Christmas Carol (1984)
    George C. Scott, Angela Pleasence, and Edward Woodward in A Christmas Carol (1984)
    George C. Scott, Angela Pleasence, and Edward Woodward in A Christmas Carol (1984)
    George C. Scott and Michael Carter in A Christmas Carol (1984)
    Edward Woodward in A Christmas Carol (1984)
    George C. Scott and Edward Woodward in A Christmas Carol (1984)
    George C. Scott in A Christmas Carol (1984)
    Frank Finlay in A Christmas Carol (1984)
    George C. Scott and Edward Woodward in A Christmas Carol (1984)
    A Christmas Carol (1984)
    George C. Scott in A Christmas Carol (1984)

    Top cast

    Edit
    George C. Scott
    George C. Scott
    • Ebenezer Scroogeas Ebenezer Scrooge
    Frank Finlay
    Frank Finlay
    • Jacob Marleyas Jacob Marley
    Angela Pleasence
    Angela Pleasence
    • Ghost of Christmas Pastas Ghost of Christmas Past
    Edward Woodward
    Edward Woodward
    • Ghost of Christmas Presentas Ghost of Christmas Present
    Michael Carter
    Michael Carter
    • Ghost of Christmas Yet to Comeas Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
    David Warner
    David Warner
    • Bob Cratchitas Bob Cratchit
    Susannah York
    Susannah York
    • Mrs. Cratchitas Mrs. Cratchit
    Anthony Walters
    Anthony Walters
    • Tiny Timas Tiny Tim
    Roger Rees
    Roger Rees
    • Fred Holywellas Fred Holywell…
    Caroline Langrishe
    Caroline Langrishe
    • Janet Holywellas Janet Holywell
    Lucy Gutteridge
    Lucy Gutteridge
    • Belleas Belle
    Nigel Davenport
    Nigel Davenport
    • Silas Scroogeas Silas Scrooge
    Mark Strickson
    Mark Strickson
    • Young Scroogeas Young Scrooge
    Joanne Whalley
    Joanne Whalley
    • Fanas Fan
    Timothy Bateson
    Timothy Bateson
    • Mr. Fezziwigas Mr. Fezziwig
    Michael Gough
    Michael Gough
    • Mr. Pooleas Mr. Poole
    John Quarmby
    John Quarmby
    • Mr. Hackingas Mr. Hacking
    Peter Woodthorpe
    Peter Woodthorpe
    • Old Joeas Old Joe
    • Director
      • Clive Donner
    • Writers
      • Charles Dickens(novel)
      • Roger O. Hirson(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Made-for-television version of the Charles Dickens classic. 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 grudgingly 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--and what the future holds for him if he doesn't improve his behavior. —Jason Ihle <jrihl@conncoll.edu>
    • ghost
    • scrooge
    • miser
    • christmas movie
    • male protagonist
    • 47 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Rediscover the Joy of Christmas Spirit!
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Family
      • Fantasy
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Scrooge's headstone prop can still be visited at Saint Chad's Churchyard in Shrewsbury, where the cemetery sequence was shot. The production team found the stone, apparently blank, and gained permission to have it inscribed. This was left in place at the end of the shoot.
    • Goofs
      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.
    • Quotes

      Ebenezer Scrooge: [on Tiny Tim] Tell me, Spirit... Will he live?

      Ghost of Christmas Present: I see a vacant place at this table. I see a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved. If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, the child will die.

      Ebenezer Scrooge: No. Say he'll be spared.

      Ghost of Christmas Present: If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, none other of my species will find him here. But if he is to die, then let him die and decrease the surplus population.

      Ebenezer Scrooge: You use my own words against me?

      Ghost of Christmas Present: Yes. So perhaps, in the future, you will hold your tongue until you have discovered what the surplus population is and where it is. It may well be that, in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man's child.

    • 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.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 37th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      God Bless Us Everyone
      Lyrics by Tony Bicât
      Music by Nick Bicât

    User reviews205

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    the great George C. Scott
    It's a lavish TV film of the classic Dickens tale. Ebenezer Scrooge (George C. Scott) is a ruthless businessman and employer to Bob Cratchit. Scrooge rejects Christmas cheers and his nephew Fred Hollywell's invitation. That night, he's haunted by the spirit of his late business partner Jacob Marley who tells him about the impending visit by the three Ghosts of Christmas.

    The great George C. Scott brings another level to Scrooge. He's not simply misery but also a ruthless businessman. The words "Greed is Good" come to mind. This is a better made than the usual TV production. This is cinematic. The sets are good looking. It's as compelling as any of the traditional A Christmas Carol and Scott is simply brilliant.
    helpful•10
    1
    • SnoopyStyle
    • Dec 10, 2015

    FAQ9

    • What is 'A Christmas Carol' about?
    • Is "A Christmas Carol" based on a book?
    • What is the purpose of the bandage wrapped around the head of Marley's ghost?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 17, 1984 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Portuguese
    • Also known as
      • Charles Dickens Weihnachtsgeschichte
    • Filming locations
      • Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Entertainment Partners Ltd.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo

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