A Christmas Carol
Directed by Clive DonnerWriters: Roger O Hirson, Charles Dickens (story).
1984
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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
Director Clive Donner had been an editor of the 1951 film Scrooge.
This movie was filmed on location in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, in the English Midlands. It originally aired on the American television network CBS on 17 December 1984, and was released theatrically in Great Britain.
As part of the CBS promotion Frank presented and narrated an accompanying documentary called The Rediscovery of Christmas which was screened on CBS before the film. He also did a press tour of New York and Boston promoting the film and screening the documentary.
The U.S. debut was sponsored by IBM, which purchased all of the commercial spots for the two-hour premiere. The film brought in a 20.7/30 rating/share, winning its time slot and ranking No. 10 for the week.
Scott was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special for his portrayal of Scrooge.
Novelist and essayist Louis Bayard, writing for Salon.com, described this adaptation as "the definitive version of a beloved literary classic", praising its fidelity to Dickens' original story, the strength of the supporting cast, and especially Scott's performance as Scrooge.