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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Prior to acting in this movie, Sir Patrick Stewart performed a series of successful theatrical readings of "A Christmas Carol" for Broadway and West End.

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Goofs

When Scrooge is back visiting his apprenticeship Christmas party, a sideways view of the musician playing the large serpentine wind instrument shows a large black mouthpiece hovering in front of his mouth, whereas moments earlier, from the front, it was a real gray trumpet-like mouthpiece actually attached to the instrument.

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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

Featured in 25 Most Heartwarming Holiday TV Moments (2011)

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Soundtracks

I Want to Marry Rose
Performed by Ian McNeice and Annette Badland

User Reviews

Best version by far, bar none. A+

Having read the book a couple times, and have watched every notable Hollywood production of the tale, this version is far and away the best and most faithful to the original book. Not ever detail is precisely from the book (but so what); the over-arching story is most accurate and captures the real essence of the story. (For those who don't know, Dickens continued to edit and re-write his one man stage performance for many years after publication of the book, so don't be so petty as to demand perfect adherence to the original novel if Dickens himself didn't.) Stewart nails Scrooge; head and shoulders above all other actors playing this role. My biggest complaint is that it was clearly edited for TV time constraints and I just wish they would release a "directors cut" with a few scenes being more fulled expressed. This version is a must-watch every Christmas. A+

Details

Official Sites:

TNT

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 December 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Christmas Carol

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

TNT, Hallmark Entertainment, Turner Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1