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George C. Scott, Timothy Bateson, Michael Carter, Nigel Davenport, Frank Finlay ... see more see more... , Michael Gough , Lucy Gutteridge , Caroline Langrishe , Brian Pettifer , Angela Pleasence , Roger Rees , Liz Smith , Anthony Walters , David Warner , Joanne Whalley , Peter Woodthorpe , Edward Woodward , Susannah York , John Quarmby

Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale of one man learning the true meaning of Christmas is brought to the screen once again in this made-for-TV movie. Ebenezer Scrooge (George C. Scott) is a cynical o... read more read more...ld man whose greatest concern is money, and who regards compassion as a luxury he can't afford. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley (Frank Finlay), his former business partner, who arranges for Scrooge to be visited by three spirits in an attempt to show him the error of his ways -- the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Angela Pleasence), Christmas Present (Edward Woodward), and Christmas Yet to Come (Michael Carter). 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 Crachit (David Warner). A Christmas Carol also features Susannah York as Mrs. Crachit, Anthony Walters as Tiny Tim, and Joanne Whalley as Fan. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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59% liked it

70,367 ratings

PG, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Clive Donner

Release Date: December 17, 1984

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DVD Release Date: October 16, 2001

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Stats: 1,253 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,253)

  • cosmo313
    August 25, 2010
    cosmo313
    There have been many versions of this story, but this is one of the best ones.

    It's got a good look and a decent pace. The cast is good,and Scott is terrific as Scrooge. This stroy ahs never been my favorite Christas tale, but I do enjoy it. I don't really have a favorite ver... read moresion of this story, but I do like this version a great deal.
  • sanjurosamurai
    December 12, 2009
    sanjurosamurai
    a very average telling of a very superb classic story. i was surprised by how very uneven goerge c. scotts performance was as scrooge considering how very great of an actor he was, and the entire story was a bit dry and wooden. this felt very much like a film that was thrown to... read moregether all too quickly, simply regurgitating the familiar story rather than putting heart into it. the end of the film was still heart warming and the story still told well enough to give it a watch now and then, but compared to the alastair sim version, or the muppet or disney version, this remains a film that need not be seen due to much better versions being available.
  • webalina
    May 9, 2007
    webalina
    George C. Scott plays a wonderfully gruff Scrooge in this Christmas classic.
  • jjnxn
    April 3, 2007
    jjnxn
    absolutely the best version of this story ever. George C. Scott is pitch perfect thoughout.
  • fb1619601747
    December 23, 2010
    fb1619601747
    One of the better adaptions of the Charles Dickens novel.
  • chaleins
    October 15, 2010
    chaleins
    The George C. Scott version of A Christmas Carol is another version that is widely regarded as both realistic and faithful to the Dickens story. The casting of Scott is excellent, as he owned the ability to play a curmudgeon in a realistic way. His Scrooge is perhaps the most 'hu... read moreman' of the many versions. He's not ridiculously cruel, just horribly cynical and practical as a result of many years of being a sharp businessman.

    The production values, for a TV movie were very high, and the locations and sets feel very authentic. His ghostly visitors are also appropriately kind and gruff as Scrooge, since they are played more as an extension of his personality. With a host of experienced British stage and screen actors to help, this version has some excellent dark sequences. Want and Ignorance, often left out of productions, are included here, as well as some very seedy aspects of old London.

    David Warner plays the bewildered Crachtit well opposite the gruff, but ultimately salvageable Scott. His transformation is much more subtle as a result of his visitations, but ultimately more satisfying and believable. Scott was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal.
  • Doctor0Quinzel
    July 3, 2008
    Doctor0Quinzel
    In my opinion the best Christmas Carol out there.
  • broadwaymo
    April 7, 2007
    broadwaymo
    My favorite version of the Dickens classic... George C. Scott makes you believe that Scrooge is a "new man" on Christmas morning. Outstanding!!!
  • tracibanville
    March 8, 2010
    tracibanville
    MY SECOND FAVORITE VERSION OF THE DICKENS CLASSIC.MY FAVORITE IS THE 1930'S VERSION WITH THE LOCKHART FAMILY PLAYING THE CRACHITS.IT HAS A SWEETNESS THAT MOST OF THE OTHER VERSIONS DON'T.
  • kogrone
    November 23, 2009
    kogrone
    One of my fav Christmas movies that I watch anytime of the year.







    George C. Scott is the best Scrooge ever with Albert Finney a close second.
    One of my fav Christmas movies that I watch anytime of the year.

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Critic Reviews

Scott G. Mignola
January 2, 2011
Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media

Bleak but solid adaptation of Dickens' classic. Full Review

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A Christmas Carol Trivia

  • "Before I draw nearer to that stone, tell me! Are these the shadows of things that must be, or are they the shadows of things that MIGHT be?" The above quote is a reference from what movie, from which character, and is in reference to whose stone?   Answer »
  • Name this 1951 Christmas Classic starring Mr. Alastair Sim.  Answer »
  • Which actor played an Americanized and modernized Scrooge in a made-for-tv adaptation of A Christmas Carol set against the backdrop of the Great Depression called An American Christmas Carol?  Answer »
  • Name the story that has been made into a movie with the most remakes..  Answer »
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