A Christmas Carol (1984) (TV)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Clive Donner

Writers:

Roger O. Hirson (screenplay) and
Charles Dickens (short story)

Release Date:

17 December 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy

Tagline:

A new powerful presentation of the most loved ghost story of all time!

Plot:

An old miser who makes excuses for his uncaring nature learns real compassion when 3 ghosts visit him on Christmas Eve.

Plot Keywords:

Christmas | Ghost | Miser | Christmas Eve | Future

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

George C. Scott	...	Ebenezer Scrooge
Frank Finlay	...	Marley's Ghost
Angela Pleasence	...	Ghost of Christmas Past
Edward Woodward	...	Ghost of Christmas Present
Michael Carter	...	Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
David Warner	...	Bob Cratchit
Susannah York	...	Mrs. Cratchit
Anthony Walters	...	Tiny Tim
Roger Rees	...	Fred Holywell / Narrator
Caroline Langrishe	...	Janet Holywell
Lucy Gutteridge	...	Belle
Nigel Davenport	...	Silas Scrooge
Mark Strickson	...	Young Scrooge
Joanne Whalley	...	Fan
Timothy Bateson	...	Mr. Fezziwig

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:U

Filming Locations:

Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, UK

Company:

Entertainment Partners Ltd.

Trivia:

This is, perhaps, the only version of ACC in which Scrooge wears dress-slacks, a dress-shirt and a vest (with an Alistair Cooke-type smoking jacket)...instead of merely his nightgown, slippers and cap. (Rumor has it that George C. Scott openly reeled at the very thought of portraying Scrooge under such conditions...especially in mid-winter England.)

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The brass cornet and tuba in the beginning were not period pieces by a century or so.

Quotes:

Tiny Tim: [outside Scrooge's office] Merry Christmas, Mister Scrooge.
Ebenezer Scrooge: Don't beg on this corner, boy.
Tiny Tim: I'm not begging, Sir. I'm Tim Cratchit. I'm waiting for my father.
Ebenezer Scrooge: Tim Cratchit, eh? Well you'll have a long wait, then, won't you?
[he walks off]
Tiny Tim: Merry Christmas, Sir!
Ebenezer Scrooge: Humbug.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Queer Duck: The Movie (2006) (V)

The best rendition of the classic fable.

The setting and actors make this television movie for me the best rendition of Dickens' classic tale. George C. Scott is very believable as is the rest of the cast. His Scrooge oozes with nastiness until the very end of the movie. Then his character changes to one who is truly repentant. The 19th Century English town chosen for the setting creates an ambiance that is fitting to Dickens and adds to the plausibility of this film. It is a movie I watch every Christmas along with the real Grinch and It's A Wonderful Life.