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, Les Standiford (based on "The Man Who Invented Christmas" by)

Stars:

Dan Stevens, Mark Schrier, Patrick Joseph Byrnes

2 wins & 8 nominations.

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 irresponsibility, 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.

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Plot Keywords:

writing | author | christmas | self publishing | inspiration | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and some mild language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some of the cast have previously been on Doctor Who (2005).

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Goofs

Despite their portrayal, Dickens and Thackeray were on very friendly terms in 1843. Their feud only started towards the end of the 1850s when Dickens became jealous of Thackeray being compared to him. Thackeray responded by publicly criticizing Dickens' decision to abandon his wife. In addition, Thackeray boasts about the money his latest book has earned. In reality, Thackeray was a struggling hack writer in 1843. He didn't achieve a major success until the publication of Vanity Fair in 1847. Dickens and Thackeray were reconciled shortly before the latter's death in 1863.

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Quotes

Tara: [after Dickens reads the part where Tiny Tim dies] NO!
Scrooge: Rude.
Tara: Is Tiny Tim dead?
Scrooge: Well, of course he is, imbecile.
Charles Dickens: He was very ill.
Scrooge: You can't save every child in London.
Charles Dickens: And the family has no money for a doctor.
Tara: Then Scrooge must save him!
Scrooge: ME?
Scrooge: He wouldn't...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in Box Office: Episode dated 30 November 2017 (2017)

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Soundtracks

Birthday Jig
Written by Chris Perry
Performed by Peakfiddler

User Reviews

a fairy tale

Or, more exactly, a wise one. because it has humor and drama and bitter scenes and hopefull scenes. it is a genesis fantastic sketch of an admirable book but, in same measure, it is not a biographic film about Dickens being one. it is easy to define it as a delight. but it is a remember. about the life of a great witer. about the roots of a sort of perspective about life and people. and good kick to discover, again, the freshness of a work. the film has many virtues. it could be perceived as a charming easy film, like a comedy or a film for young public, colorfull and seductive and little superficial and unconvincing. but it is a real good film for to give to the public what it deserves. a brilliant cast and good performances. the fictional history of classic book, the difficulties of the existence of the writer. and something else. out of words. an answer, maybe. to the crisis of our time. short, it is , maybe, not the impressive film who you expect. but it is an usefull one. and that is the most significant virtue of it.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Instagram

Country:

Ireland Canada

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

22 November 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Man Who Invented Christmas

Filming Locations:

Ireland

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,357,129, 26 November 2017

Gross USA:

$5,676,486

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,127,070

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mazur / Kaplan Company, The Mob Film Company, Ingenious Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1