A Christmas Carol (1999)

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

Director:

David Hugh Jones (as David Jones)

Writers:

Peter Barnes (written for television by), Charles Dickens (novel)

Stars:

Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Joel Grey

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patrick Stewart	...	Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge
Richard E. Grant	...	Bob Cratchit
Joel Grey	...	The Ghost of Christmas Past
Ian McNeice	...	Mr. Albert Fezziwig
Saskia Reeves	...	Mrs. Cratchit
Desmond Barrit	...	The Ghost of Christmas Present
Bernard Lloyd	...	Marley's Ghost
Dominic West	...	Fred (Scrooge's nephew)
Trevor Peacock	...	Old Joe
Liz Smith	...	Mrs. Dilber
Elizabeth Spriggs	...	Mrs. Riggs
Kenny Doughty	...	Young Scrooge
Laura Fraser	...	Belle
Celia Imrie	...	Mrs. Bennett
John Franklyn-Robbins	...	Crump

Storyline

In 1840s London, Ebenezer Scrooge is a mean-spirited businessman who receives his terrifying comeuppance. One Christmas Eve, he is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley, his dead business partner. Marley foretells that Scrooge will be visited by three spirits, each of whom will attempt to show Scrooge the error of his ways. Will Scrooge reform his ways in time to celebrate Christmas?

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Plot Keywords:

scrooge | christmas | ghost | time travel | regret | 

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Taglines:

In just one night, he has seen his past, his present, and his future... and they've all come back to haunt him.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

TNT

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 December 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Christmas Carol - Die Nacht vor Weihnachten

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

TNT,Hallmark Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Belle releases Scrooge from his vow to marry her, this was done more than for releasing him from a promise, but also any legal issues, because in the nineteenth century, one could be taken to court for breach of engagement promise.

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Goofs

In the snow scenes outside Scrooge's old school, swifts are heard but these migratory birds arrive in May and leave in August.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Clergyman: A man that is born of woman hath but a short time to live and is full of misery. He cometh up and is cut down like a flower.

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Alternate Versions

A letterboxed version formatted for HDTV is currently (2007) being shown on Turner Network Television. This version is cropped (the top and bottom are cut off). The picture was not made in widescreen and was not shown that way originally. The DVD is also made in fullscreen, not letterboxed or anamorphically enhanced.

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Connections

Featured in Atop the Fourth Wall: Ghostbusters: Past, Present, and Future (2016)

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Soundtracks

We've All Been Having a Go
Performed by Saskia Reeves, Tom Towndrow, Zoe Timmins, Tabitha Francis and Barnaby Francis

User Reviews

Brilliant performance by Patrick Stuart

Patrick Stuart is indisputably a great actor, complemented by an excellent cast of other fine actors. This is a warm, humanized, three-dimensional portrait of Ebenezer Scrooge as a whole man. We can believe that a neglected, hurt child could grow up to become a hesitant lover and finally an embittered miser. Stuart's portrayal of Scrooge's growing regret for his life's missed opportunities is wonderfully done, and the final redemption scene is more than satisfying. This is a delightful Christmas offering.