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

Joel Grey (Ghost of Christmas Past) was the only non-British cast member. He is an American.

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Goofs

There is no entry in an 1843 Register of Death that would require the signature of Ebenezer Scrooge. There is no space for a witness or next of kin and all information would have been entered by a registrar or clergyman making the opening scene factually incaccurate. In truth, Stewart, who was merely following the opening lines of the original book, was not to blame for this. The fault lies with Charles Dickens who wrote 'The register of his burial was signed by the clerk, the undertaker and the chief mourner' and this may be traced to lack of knowledge on behalf of the author who, aside from signing his own marriage register (a much more detailed pro forma) would have not have come into contact with the registers which were normally kept locked away in the parish chest.

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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

Although the opening credit sequence is basically the same, the typeface used for the sequence in the "letterboxed" version is entirely different. In this version, the credits are printed entirely in capital letters.

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Connections

Version of A Christmas Carol (1997)

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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

The Best Version I've Ever Seen

Patrick Stewart and the supporting cast were absolutely incredible. I just wish I could view this movie in a widescreen format. It was absolutely gorgeous to look at. The Ghost of Christmas Past was my favorite segment of the movie. It was enchanting. I give this movie a very high recommendation.