#A Christmas Carol
88 of the 150 Movies of 1984
What are we dealing with here?: A Christmas Carol is an American dramatic fantasy film from director Clive Donner and writer Roger O. Hirson. This is one of many film adaptations of this classic Charles Dickens novella from 1843. It stars George C. Scott, Frank Finlay, David Warner, and Susannah York. It was first released in the United Kingdom on October 9th, 1984. It hit American television waves a few months later, airing on CBS on December 17th, 1984.
What’s it about?: Ebenezer Scrooge is an old miser that doesn't care for Christmas or the holiday spirit. So one fateful Christmas Eve he's visited by three spirits that attempt to show him the error of his ways. The Ghost of Christmas past the Ghost of Christmas present and the Ghost of Christmas’ yet to come.
Rotten Analysis: This is considered by many to be the definitive edition of A Christmas Carol, and I can really see why. This is such a delightful and faithful take on the story that tackles themes of humanity, compassion, and social equality. It also speaks to the frustration that workers may be feeling, especially during rough times. I remember watching this as a child and being absolutely terrified. The tone, the setting—it's all so creepy. The Jacob Marley scene is especially terrifying, with his chains and head wrapping. While all the performances are excellent, Frank Finlay's portrayal of Jacob Marley is the stuff of nightmares.
The Ghost of Christmas Present, played by Edward Woodward, is my favorite interpretation of the spirit. He's hot and cold, flexing his acting muscles across the emotional spectrum. He also has some terrifying moments, like when he reveals the two emaciated children hidden under his cloak. It's a truly haunting image. And if that wasn't frightening enough, the Ghost of Christmas Future is shrouded in macabre mystery. His very silence evokes a profound sense of dread. Watch this one with the lights on, folks! I've always liked the touches of terror that creep into this story. Every adaptation seems to find creative ways to incorporate them.
But it's obvious that the true heavyweight actors here are George C. Scott and David Warner. Both are so damn good in their roles. I can't think of anyone who would have been better suited to play Ebenezer Scrooge. He's so gruff and rough around the edges. I don't think that anyone can deliver a "humbug" as convincingly as he can. A perfect angry curmudgeon. And Warner plays the most identifiable and real version of Bob Cratchit I've seen. Not just his dialogue, but his facial expressions and everything that Warner brings to the table is top quality. The young Anthony Walters plays Tiny Tim and is appropriately sympathetic.
The dialogue is standard from the traditional text, but Hirson takes the opportunity to carve his own niche here. And it's perfect. The liberties taken with the original story blend seamlessly. This is the best live-action and true-to-form adaptation of Charles Dickens' tale, mostly due to the performances. But beyond that, it's a film that just seems to get everything right. The tone, setting, characters, and events are all very authentic. The set dressing is award-worthy. The art direction is amazing. Do yourself a favor and throw this one on during this holiday season. It may seem stuffy at first, but it's actually pretty fun to get through. A fine film for a Christmas tradition. RottenPop gives this classic holiday tale four stars.
A Christmas Carol
88 of the 150 Movies of 1984
First Screening: October 9th, 1984
RottenPop Rating: ★★★★
Director: Clive Donner
Writers: Roger O. Hirson
Starring: George C. Scott, Frank Finlay,
David Warner, and Susannah York
Studios: Entertainers Partners Ltd
Country: U.K.
Genres: Dramatic Fantasy
