When you’ve seen as many versions of “A Christmas Carol” as I have recently, you begin to notice that there’s this pattern to the way a lot of actors portray Ebenezer Scrooge. That they tend to employ the same sorts of acting tricks in order to keep their performances entertaining & emotionally effective.
What am I talking about? Well, for the first third of the movie / TV show, your average performer will typically keep their body in a hunched-over posture. They’ll also wear their hair long & unkept and keep their faces in this perpetual frown.
Why do they do this? So that — when it finally comes time for Scrooge to undergo his miraculous transformation — all these actors have to do is stand up straight, run a comb through their hair and smile … And Presto! Ebenezer appears to be an entirely different person. This literally upright citizen who’s now ready to rejoin the human race.
I only bring up these tricks that actors use while portraying Scrooge because that’s what so extraordinary about the 1984 TV movie version of “A Christmas Carol.”
Copyright 1999 20th Century Fox
Here — finally — is a totally trick-free version of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale. I mean, the way that George C. Scott chose to portray Ebenezer Scrooge is nothing short of a revelation.
His Ebenezer isn’t some feeble old miser with one foot already in the grave. Scott’s Scrooge is this strong, confident businessman who’s still operating at the top of his game. This version of Dickens’ miser strides powerfully through the streets of London as he makes his way to the Exchange. And this Ebenezer smiles smugly as he forces several businessmen to pay a much higher price than they initially negotiated for the grain that Scrooge is selling.
Copyright 1999 20th Century Fox
Scott’s version of Scrooge is tough — both mentally & physically. More to the point, he is certain — absolutely certain — that his is the only way to go through life. That only the strong will survive in this world. Which is why Ebenezer has no time or sympathy for the poor and the weak.
Obviously, given that this version of Scrooge believes that the way that he’s been treating the people around him is just and fair, it’s going to take one hell of a jolt in order to get him to even begin reconsidering his behavior. And that jolt comes by way of Frank Finlay‘s Jacob Marley. Who may be the most miserable & tortured version of Ebenezer’s long-dead partner to ever appear on the screen.
Copyright 1999 20th Century Fox
Finlay firmly establishes the template for all the spirits to follow in this version of “A Christmas Carol.” If you’re looking for whimsical & cute Ghosts of Christmas Past & Present, this is not the TV movie for you. These spirits … They’re already on edge when they arrive. Given that they know it’s going to take an awful lot of effort to ever get this version of Ebenezer to see the error of his ways.
And certainly — right from Scrooge’s very first stop in the past — this miser’s in denial. When he sees a vision of himself as a school boy, alone in a classroom because his father refuses to allow Ebenezer to come home for the holidays, the Ghost of Christmas Past (played by Angela Pleasence) starts to talk about about how sad the lad looks.
But Scott’s version of Scrooge … He won’t allow this spirit to feel any sympathy for the boy. Ebenezer points to the book in the lad’s hand. “See, he’s not alone,” Scrooge explains. “He’s got Ali Baba and Long John Silver to keep him company.”
Copyright 1999 20th Century Fox
The Ghost of Christmas Past then moves Ebenezer ahead in time to the years when he worked at Fezziwig’s, with the hope that a glimpse of the beautiful Belle (Lucy Gutteridge) might then soften this miser’s heart. But Scott’s version of Scrooge … He still doesn’t crack when he sees his old fiancee.
So this spirit ups the ante and then shows Ebenezer the huge & loving family that Belle and her husband have had. The family that Scrooge could have had. If he’s only shown some kindness & compassion and not made acquiring wealth & position his top priority. This causes Scott’s version of the miser to suddenly lash out in anger. Literally snuffing out the lights of the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Copyright 1999 20th Century Fox
Next up is the Ghost of Christmas Present. And — as played by Edward Woodward of “The Equalizer” fame — this is not a spirit who is going to put up with any of Ebenezer’s guff. This ghost often makes a point of getting right in Scrooge’s face. And while the Ghost of Christmas Present is supposed to be this jolly old fellow that’s loaded with holiday cheer, Woodward’s version of this spirit clearly has some trouble when it comes to concealing his contempt for Ebenezer.
Anyway … These two make the now-to-be-expected trip to the Crachit family home on Christmas Day. And Scrooge softens somewhat here. Which is easy to understand, given that he’s confronted with the feeblest looking version of Tiny Tim to ever appear on the screen (Played by Anthony Walters).
Copyright 1999 20th Century Fox
Ironically, Ebenezer has already run into young Mr. Crachit earlier in this TV movie. As he exiting his counting house to go see some gentlemen at the Exchange, Scrooge spies Tiny Tim waiting across the street and says “You can’t beg there, boy.” Again, showing how blind & indifferent Ebenezer was to the suffering of those around him.
But those spirits that Jacob Marley sent to deal with Scrooge … They won’t allow him to remain blind. They continually force this miser to look at things that frighten him (like his own grave) or make him aware of the true nature of the world that surrounds him (Like when the Ghost of Christmas Present rips open his robe and reveals Ignorance & Want).
Copyright 1999 20th Cnetury Fox
And George C. Scott … His portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge as a real man, someone who only gradually becomes aware that the way that he views the world is wrong, is extraordinary. There’s not a single false step in his entire performance.
Which is why — perhaps — the last 15 minutes of this version of “A Christmas Carol” seems oddly muted. You see, in this portion of “A Christmas Carol,” the newly reformed Ebenezer Scrooge is supposed to be ” … as giddy as a school boy.” And George C. Scott — while he is capable of delivering a performance of great subtlety as well as those where he chews the scenery — evidently doesn’t do giddy all that well.
Happy to be alive? Sure. Eager to make amends with his nephew Fred (Roger Rees) and his lovely wife, Janet (Caroline Langrishe). Absolutely. But ” … giddy as a school boy”? Not so much.
Copyright 1999 20th Century Fox
Still, thanks to Clive Donner‘s skilled direction, Roger O. Hirson‘s thoughtful & intelligent teleplay as well as a brilliant & talented supporting cast that matched George C. Scott measure for measure … This TV movie version of Dickens’ classic holiday tale may be the very best of the modern “Christmas Carol” movies. Mind you, it’s still not as sublime as the Alastair Sim version. But — that said — this 1984 version is still pretty incredible. Sp be sure and check it out this holiday season if you get the chance.
Anyway … Tomorrow we go from the sublime to the ridiculous when we discuss the “Jetsons Christmas Carol.”