A Christmas Carol (1984) (TV)

Director:

Clive Donner

Writers:

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

Release Date:

17 December 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | 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:

Edward Woodward replaced Leo McKern.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: The Ghost of Christmas Future takes scrooge to the cemetery near the end of the movie. At the beginning of this scene, when scrooge asks why they are here, you can see a rope at the bottom of the screen that pulls the Ghost across the graveyard to simulate it floating across on air.

Quotes:

Ebenezer Scrooge: [Sitting under the bridge after the Ghost of Christmas Present leaves] What have I done... to be abandoned like this? What?

Movie Connections:

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

Hard to imagine a better version.

So this made for TV film scores only a 7.6 on this site? Bah! Humbug! Without question this 1984 version of Dickens' classic tale is the best ever made. And yes, the Hound has seen the 1951 version which was also good, but not good enough. The lack of color is perhaps the biggest shortcoming of that version, although the acting was wonderful.

George C. Scott is simply incredible as Ebenezer Scrooge. We all know the story of this stingy businessman who is haunted by the ghost of his dead partner, then by three other spirits later on that evening. Scott is properly gruff as Scrooge. Too gruff in fact for some critics who claim he is unable to project the new-found glee that he awakens to on Christmas morning after the spirits teach him a valuable lesson. But hey, this is George C. Scott. He's never going to go dancing down the street in a fit of joy. He has too much dignity, and his Scrooge projects his emotion in a realistic manner.

The supporting performances are uniformly excellent, as are the costumes, music, and scenery. 19th Century London comes to life in Clive Donner's visionary style. The film even borders on frightening in several scenes involving the spirits. The important tale of morality shines through in every frame, though.

You won't often find this version aired on television anymore, and that is a disappointment. The 1984 version of A Christmas Carol should be a required part of every household's celebration of the holiday. When the decorations come out of the basement, this film should find its way into the DVD player at least once during the season.

10 of 10 stars.

The Hound.