The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

The journey that led to Charles Dickens' creation of "A Christmas Carol," a timeless tale that would redefine Christmas.

Director:

Bharat Nalluri

Writers:

Susan Coyne, Charles Dickens (inspired by: "A Christmas Carol")

Stars:

Dan Stevens, Mark Schrier, Patrick Joseph Byrnes

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dan Stevens	...	Charles Dickens
Mark Schrier	...	Presenter
Patrick Joseph Byrnes	...	Stage Manager
Miriam Margolyes	...	Mrs. Fisk
Morfydd Clark	...	Kate Dickens
Justin Edwards	...	John Forster / Ghost of Christmas Present
Cosimo Fusco	...	Signor Mazzini (as Cosimo Massimo Fusco)
Jasper Hughes Cotter	...	Walter Dickens (as Jasper Hughes-Cotter)
James Heffernan	...	Charley Dickens
Aleah Lennon	...	Mamie Dickens
Ella Mai Delaney	...	Katey Dickens
Donna Marie Sludds	...	Maid
David McSavage	...	Hall
Ian McNeice	...	Chapman
Miles Jupp	...	Thackeray

Storyline

In 1843, the celebrated British novelist, Charles Dickens, is at a low point in his career with three flops behind him and his family expenses piling up at home. Determined to recover, Dickens decides to write a Christmas story and self-publish it in less than two months. As Dickens labors writing on such short notice, his estranged father and mother come to bunk with him. Still haunted by painful memories of his father ruining his childhood by his financial irresponsibly, Dickens develops a writer's block which seems to have no solution. As such, Dickens must face his personal demons epitomized through his characters, especially in his imagined conversations with Ebenezer Scrooge. Now with a looming deadline, Dickens struggles for inspiration against his frustrations and his characters' opinions in a literary challenge creating a classic tale that would define the essential soul of modern Christmas.

---

Plot Keywords:

author | christmas | charles dickens | 1800s | writing | 

---

Taglines:

How Charles Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol" and created a tradition.

---

Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and some mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Instagram

Country:

Ireland Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 November 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

O Homem Que Inventou o Natal

Filming Locations:

Ireland

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,353,297, 26 November 2017, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$5,676,486, 25 January 2018

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mazur / Kaplan Company, Mob Film Company, The, Parallel Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Miriam Margolyes & Ian McNeice appeared together previously in the television series, "Doc Martin". McNeice is a regular cast member on the program; Margolyes guest-starred as a poison victim tended to by the titular doctor.

---

Goofs

The fonts used in the first edition are different from the ones actually used.

---

Quotes

Scrooge: Humbug!

---

Connections

Referenced in Loway and Mr. Hand: The Loway and Mr.Hand Easter Special (Mini Movie) (2018)

---

Soundtracks

Yankee Doodle Dandy
Performed by The Band of the Royal British Legion

User Reviews

A lot of fun.

Film shows us a fictional, fairy tale- like approach to how Dickens wrote the story, his inspirations, his brainstorming, how he might have imagined the characters while he was writing, and most amusingly, how difficult it can be to write is depicted by Dickens characters themselves appearing in physical form, to playfully argue with him about plot points, and what their characters would and would not do.

Much more comedic than I expected, and that's a positive note about the film, with lead actor Dan Stevens hamming it up quite nicely, without over doing it, and Christopher Plummer a wonderfully​ grumpy Scrooge, without turning the character into a depressing old man.

Beautiful sets and​ costume design and lighting, too