This movie has a
scene that happens today – December 25. I hope you will enjoy the holiday and
watch this film tonight.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
(1984)
Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserly
moneylender who thinks Christmas is “humbug” and mistreats his employee, Bob
Cratchit. He only very reluctantly agrees to give Cratchit Christmas day off.
Scrooge refuses an invitation from his nephew Fred to dine with him the next
day. On his way home Scrooge meets Bob
Cratchit’s crippled son, Tiny Tim, and refuses to make a contribution to aid
the poor and needy. In Scrooge’s large,
empty house the ghost of his dead partner, Jacob Marley, visits him. Scrooge is
reluctant to believe it is really a ghost, but when Marley tells Scrooge he is
doomed to hell, Scrooge asks Marley what can be done. Marley tells Scrooge that three spirits will visit him over the
course of the night starting at 1 AM. At that hour on December 25, 1843 [26:35
to 1:35:13] the first spirit “The Ghost of Christmas Past” appears and takes
Scrooge back to his childhood. Scrooge was ignored by his father, but loved by
his sister. Scrooge went to work for Mr. Fezziwig and met, and eventually
became engaged to Belle. Eventually his devotion to business drives Belle away.
Scrooge is returned to his bedroom, where the “Ghost of Christmas Present”
visits him. This spirit takes him to Bob Cratchit’s house, where Scrooge is
criticized for being cheap and greedy, defended only by Bob. Scrooge is, in
spite of himself, touched by their honest celebration of the holiday. He is
upset when the spirit tells him that Tiny Tim is doomed to die soon. He also
takes Scrooge to the house of his nephew Fred, where he is also castigated.
Then Scrooge is visited by the spooky “Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come”. He
takes Scrooge to the poor side of town, where Scrooge eventually figures out
that he is dead and some of his things have been stolen. Scrooge sees the
Cratchit family’s grief at the death of Tiny Tim. Scrooge then sees his own
tombstone. Scrooge awakens in his own room on Christmas. He vows to keep the
true spirit of Christmas. He sends a gift of food to the Cratchits. Scrooge
next makes a very generous contribution to aid the poor. Scrooge visits Fred
and makes up with him. The next day Scrooge surprises Bob Cratchit by doubling
his salary. Scrooge is a changed man.
The best version of this story.
Reminds you of the real reason for the season. Very good costuming and sets.
A Christmas Carol in Prose,
Being a Ghost Story of Christmas by Charles Dickens (Elvendon Press,
Goring-on-Thames, UK, 1986) at page 56 Scrooge is told “its Christmas Day”,
which is December 25th, as per Holidays, Festivals
and Celebrations of the World ed. by Helene Henderson (Omnigraphics, New
York, 2005) at page 787
Producer - George F. Storke
Director - Clive Donner
Awards – The film was nominated for the Outstanding Lead
Actor in a Limited Series or
a Special (Scott) at the 37th
Primetime Emmy Awards.
Screenplay - Roger O. Hirson
Runtime – 1 hour 40 minutes
Released – December 17, 1984
Starring –
George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge, a man who thinks
Christmas is “humbug”
Frank Finlay as Jacob Marley's Ghost, Scrooge’s former
partner
Angela Pleasence as Ghost of Christmas Past
Edward Woodward as Ghost of Christmas Present
Michael Carter as Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
David Warner as Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s employee
Susannah York as Mrs. Cratchit, Bob’s wife
Anthony Walters as Tiny Tim Crachit, Bob’s handicapped son
Roger Rees as Fred Hollywell, Scrooge’s nephew
Caroline Langrishe as Janet Hollywell, Fred’s wife
Lucy Gutteridge – Belle, Scrooge's slighted fiancée
Nigel Davenport as Silas Scrooge, Ebenezer's and Fan's
father
Mark Strickson as Young Ebenezer Scrooge
Joanne Whalley as Fan Scrooge, Ebenezer's beloved sister and
Fred's mother
Timothy Bateson as Mr. Fezziwig, Scrooge and Marley’s one
time boss
Michael Gough as Mr. Poole
John Quarmby as Mr. Harking
Peter Woodthorpe as Old Joe
Liz Smith as Mrs. Dilber
Dennis Morgan as A village gentleman
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