A Christmas Carol (1984)

A Christmas Carol is a critically acclaimed 1984 television movie adaptation of Charles Dickens' famous 1843 story. It was directed by Clive Donner (who had been an editor on an earlier film version of the story, 1951's Scrooge) and starred George C. Scott in an acclaimed performance as Ebenezer Scrooge.

Synopsis
In the Victorian period, Ebenezer Scrooge is a cynical old man whose greatest concern is money, and who regards compassion as a luxury he cannot afford. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley, his former business partner, who arranges for Scrooge to be visited by three spirits in an attempt to show him the errors of his ways &mdash; the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come. The spirits force Scrooge to examine the failings of his own life, as well as the bravery and optimism of his loyal but ill-treated employee Bob Cratchit. Scrooge reforms, learning to keep the spirit of Christmas alive in his heart, ultimately becoming a well-loved and respected man.

Production notes

 * Filming was done on location in Shrewsbury, England. It originally aired on CBS on December 17, 1984 in the United States (sponsored by IBM), but was released theatrically in Great Britain.


 * Scott was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special for his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in this production.


 * The movie has run in syndication on local American channels since it debuted in 1984, earning a loyal fanbase, but was not released to VHS until 1996 and to DVD a few years later. On November 25, 2007 it returned to national television on AMC for the first time since its debut, earning a rare 4/4 star rating from the network. The network continues to run the movie throughout the Christmas season.


 * Liz Smith who plays Mrs. Dilber in this production also played the same role in the 1999 version starring Patrick Stewart.


 * Two of Susannah York's real-life children portrayed two of the Cratchit kids on-screen.


 * This is, perhaps, the only version of A Christmas Carol in which Scrooge wears dress-slacks, a dress-shirt and a vest and a smoking jacket instead of the traditional wardrobe of a nightgown, slippers and cap. Sources have reported that George C. Scott openly reeled at the very thought of portraying Scrooge under such conditions, especially in mid-winter England.

Cast

 * George C. Scott - Ebenezer Scrooge
 * Frank Finlay - Jacob Marley
 * 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
 * Roger Rees - Fred Hollywell
 * Caroline Langrishe - Janet Hollywell
 * Lucy Gutteridge - Belle
 * Nigel Davenport - Silas Scrooge (Ebenezer and Fan's father)
 * Mark Strickson - Young Ebenezer Scrooge
 * Joanne Whalley - Fan Scrooge-Hollywell (Ebenezer's sister and Fred's mother)
 * Timothy Bateson - Mr. Fezziwig
 * Michael Gough - Mr. Poole
 * John Quarmby - Mr. Harking
 * Peter Woodthorpe - Old Joe
 * Liz Smith - Mrs. Dilber