A bitter old miser who makes excuses for his uncaring nature learns real compassion when three ghosts visit him on Christmas Eve.
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Credits: TheMovieDb.
Film Cast:
- Ebenezer Scrooge: George C. Scott
- Fred Holywell / Narrator: Roger Rees
- Bob Cratchit: David Warner
- Mrs. Cratchit: Susannah York
- Ghost of Christmas Present: Edward Woodward
- Ghost of Christmas Past: Angela Pleasence
- Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: Michael Carter
- Tiny Tim: Anthony Walters
- Janet Holywell: Caroline Langrishe
- Belle: Lucy Gutteridge
- Silas Scrooge: Nigel Davenport
- Young Scrooge: Mark Strickson
- Fan: Joanne Whalley
- Jacob Marley: Frank Finlay
- Ben: Brian Pettifer
- Belle’s Husband: Peter Settelen
- William: Daniel Chatto
- Mr. Fezziwig: Timothy Bateson
- Mr. Poole: Michael Gough
- Mr. Hacking: John Quarmby
- Old Joe: Peter Woodthorpe
- Mrs. Dilber: Liz Smith
- Peter Cratchit: Kieran Hughes
- Little Boy Cratchit: Orlando Wells
- Kate: Cathryn Harrison
- Tipton: John Sharp
Film Crew:
- Novel: Charles Dickens
- Director: Clive Donner
- Director of Photography: Tony Imi
- Editor: Peter Tanner
- Screenplay: Roger O. Hirson
- Original Music Composer: Nick Bicât
- Art Direction: Harry Cordwell
- Costume Design: Evangeline Harrison
- Art Direction: Peter Childs
Movie Reviews:
- John Chard: A Christmas Carol (1984)
Wonderful Adaptation.
The 1984 TV version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a joyous thing. Fronted by George C. Scott as the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge, Clive Donner’s movie pays great respects to the source material and garners a multi stranded piece of brilliance out of Scott. The characters of course remain the same, but headed by Scrooge having a complex and painful background and a persona of confused emotions, there’s meaty substance holding the movie up high. Donner and writer Roger Hirson retain the black heart of the source story, with the horror elements suitably effective to bother the children, while the Victorian atmosphere always feels – crucially – authentic.
If you haven’t seen this version of the often filmed tale, put it on your list for next yuletide. 9/10
- Wuchak: _**The classic tale in glorious color with George C. Scott**_
In early 1840’s London, a wealthy miser who hates Christmas (George C. Scott) gains insights on the past, present and future. Will he write these experiences off as dreams or will he make some much needed changes?
Despite being a TV production, this 1984 rendition of “A Christmas Carol” is one of the better versions of the oft-filmed tale by Charles Dickens (originally published in 1843). Scott makes for a fitting Ebenezer Scrooge and everything is in glorious color with haunting cinematography. Anyone who knows the tale knows there are heartwarming aspects, but also very spooky bits, like Jacob Marley’s ghost and the dark specter Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come.
While I prefer winsome Ann Rutherford as the Spirit of Christmas Past in the 1931 version, Angela Pleasence is fine in the role (she’s Donald’s daughter and looks it). Also notable on the female front is Susannah York as Mrs. Cratchit, who still looks great at 44 during shooting, as well as the lovely Caroline Langrishe in the role of Janet, the wife of Scrooge’s nephew.
The movie runs 1 hour, 40 minutes, and was shot in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England.
GRADE: B