A Christmas Carol (1999 film)
A 1999 television adaptation of Dickens' classic Christmas tale.
A Christmas Carol is a 1999 television film adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1843 novella, first broadcast on TNT on December 5, 1999. Directed by David Jones, it stars Patrick Stewart as Ebenezer Scrooge and Richard E. Grant as Bob Cratchit. The project originated from Stewart's successful one-man stage performances of the story on Broadway and in London.
The plot follows moneylender Scrooge, who buries his partner Jacob Marley and returns to his counting house. Seven years later, on Christmas Eve 1843, Scrooge mistreats his clerk Bob Cratchit, refuses his nephew Fred's dinner invitation, dismisses charity collectors, and frightens a caroler with a ruler. He grudgingly gives Cratchit Christmas Day off. At home, Scrooge meets Marley's ghost, who warns him to repent or face worse punishment, and announces three spirits will visit over three nights.
The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his lonely boarding school childhood—unwanted by his father after his mother died—and his sister Fran bringing him home. He relives his apprenticeship with Fezziwig and his broken engagement to Belle, who left him because he prioritized wealth over commitment. Distraught, Scrooge extinguishes the spirit.
The Ghost of Christmas Present reveals Christmas joys: the Cratchits' small but content dinner, where Tiny Tim is ill; a lighthouse, ship, and miners celebrating; and Fred's party, where Fred defends Scrooge. The ghost ages and warns Scrooge to beware of "Ignorance" and "Want," two wretched children, before vanishing.
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge his future: businessmen discussing a dead man's funeral only if lunch is provided; a charwoman, laundress, and undertaker trading stolen possessions; a couple relieved by the man's death; and the Cratchits mourning Tiny Tim. At a cemetery, Scrooge sees his own name on a gravestone. He vows to change as the ghost closes its eyes, and he falls into an abyss, waking in his bed on Christmas Day.
Joyful, Scrooge realizes the ghosts visited in one night. He sends the Cratchits a large turkey, spreads cheer, sings carols, reconciles with Fred, and dances at dinner. The next day, he pranks Bob by pretending to scold him, then gives him a raise and offers help. Scrooge becomes kind and compassionate, a second father to Tim, who recovers.
The adaptation drew inspiration from the 1951 film version in its grim scenes an
- Release year
- 1999
- Network
- TNT
- Director
- David Jones
- Lead actor
- Patrick Stewart
- Source material
- Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol
- Genre
- Christmas fantasy television film
Lore & Background
The film follows moneylender Ebenezer Scrooge, who buries his friend and business partner Jacob Marley before returning to work. Seven years later, on Christmas Eve 1843, Scrooge's clerk Bob Cratchit endures his cruelty. Scrooge declines his nephew Fred's invitation, dismisses charity collectors, and frightens a carol singer. That night, Marley's ghost warns Scrooge to repent or suffer worse punishment, and three spirits will visit him. The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge's lonely childhood, his sister Fran, his employment with Fezziwig, and his lost love Belle. The Ghost of Christmas Present reveals the Cratchit family, including ill Tiny Tim, and Fred's party, warning Scrooge to beware of 'Ignorance' and 'Want.' The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge his own neglected death and Tiny Tim's death, prompting Scrooge to vow to change.
Reader's Guide
The adaptation takes its inspiration from the 1951 film version in the grimness of some scenes and set design, rather than deliberately resembling the 1938 or 1984 versions. Critical reception was mixed: Michael Speier of Variety praised the cast and direction, calling Stewart 'such a perfect piece of casting,' while Robert Keeling of Den of Geek in 2019 called it 'steadfastly faithful' but lacking warmth and Christmas spirit, noting that Tiny Tim was 'irritating and poorly acted.' Patrick Stewart was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2000, and Ian Wilson was nominated for Outstanding Cinematography at the Emmy Awards in 2000. The film remains a notable entry among adaptations of A Christmas Carol.
Did You Know?
- Liz Smith, who played Mrs. Dilber in this film, had previously played the same role in the 1984 adaptation.
- Ian McNeice, who appears in this film, later played Edward Chapman in 2017's The Man Who Invented Christmas.
- Joel Grey, who appears in this film, had portrayed a spirit in the Dallas series finale 'Conundrum'.
- The film was produced after Patrick Stewart performed successful one-man shows of A Christmas Carol on Broadway and in London.
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