The Charles Dickens story has been done on television and in films the traditional hundreds of times in the Victorian era, this is one of the only versions I know set in the modern world, and once I got into it I found it really interesting. Basically Eddie Scrooge (Ross Kemp) is a mean loan shark who works in a poor estate keeping most of the money from those he loans to, collects the debt they owe either by cash or their possessions and may have had some involvement in the murder of his business partner and friend Jacob Marley (Coronation Street's Ray Fearon). It is Christmas Eve, and Eddie is visited by the ghost of Marley who warns him that if he does not change his ways, he will face a horrible afterlife of pain and misery, and to help him mend his errors he tells him that three ghosts will visit him. He dismisses this as a dream, but soon enough the ghost of Eddie's Dad (Till Death Us Do Part's Warren Mitchell) appears to show him his past where he grew up surrounded by despair, including the death of his mother, the death of the Dad himself, and how his ways lost him the love of his life, nurse Bella (Angeline Ball). Eddie wakes up on the same day, Christmas Eve, and he just continues with his mean ways dismissing the events he experienced, but Marley returns acting as his second ghost as well, showing him the present and all people he has encountered, including his work colleague Bob Cratchett (Michael Maloney) who has a son, Tiny Tim (Ben Tibber), very sick in hospital. He sees that he is doing wrong, and waking up on Christmas Eve again he tries in his own way to make some things right, but not really changing his attitude and having a lot of true heart, so the third and final ghost still appears, that is the Ghost of Christmas Future (Ben Inigo-Jones), who is a young boy that he seems to recognise. Eddie is shown the potential future where Tiny Tim dies in hospital, Bella is one of only a couple of people to visit a poorly placed gravestone, and he is shocked to see that it is his own grave, this possible future where he may die is what really triggers him to have his change of heart when he wakes up. Eddie drops all debts people owe, he helps Mrs Marley (Shezwae Powell) find the person who killed her son Jacob, he pays for a holiday that someone mentioned, he pays for a family's Christmas, he helps an elderly couple, and having truly changed his ways he spends Christmas Day, and his future, with the forgiving and loving Bella, and their son (who was the final ghost). Also starring The Royle Family's Liz Smith as Joyce, The Thin Blue Line's Mina Anwar as Julie, Lorraine Ashbourne as Sue Cratchett, Daniel Ainsleigh as Dave and Claudie Blakley as Ellie. Kemp gives a really good performance, without having to go into recognised "bah humbug" and the other Scrooge traits he is a terrific choice, the supporting cast of familiar characters do great as well, it is a fun twist on the famous story and with the plot fits really well into the modern world, I found it just as moving and enjoyable as any regular version, a great drama. Very good!
20 Reviews
Yet another version
cledakling25 December 2018
I make it a point to see every version of A Christmas Carol I can find. This showed up on an Amazon Prime search and I'm so glad I watched it. The updating just works. The familiar elements and sentiments that make this story a classic are all there.
Dark Christmas entertainment
NovaBrunswick24 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
A modern take on Charles Dickens' Christmas classic, where Scrooge is a loan shark squeezing money out of people, rather like the original Scrooge. It's a lot darker than some other adaptations of A Christmas Carol I've seen - especially the scene where Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Future and sees his own grave! That scene actually almost drove me to tears and I screamed at him to wake up, it was only a dream! However, it does end well for Scrooge and his family and friends, as in every other version of this classic festive tale.
Definitely worth watching if you want something that's a little more different from your usual cheery, merry Christmas movie fare.
Definitely worth watching if you want something that's a little more different from your usual cheery, merry Christmas movie fare.
This movie is amazing...
Tickleroftheivories18 December 2006
I loved this "Christmas Carol"; I saw it on TV a couple years ago and today I found it on IMDb. Needless to say, I found this version to be quite amazing; it was compact and really made you get to know Scrooge as a character. I think this movie was really well done even though it had been adapted to modern-day; in fact, I think it's adaption contributed to the brilliance. The love interest was also very realistic. If you are a fan of the classics, you should see this first-class version of "A Christmas Carol". Altogether, I really enjoyed this movie and if it ever comes out on DVD or VHS, I will be first in line... anyway...MERRY Christmas!
A fantastic version for the modern day!
welsh_werecat30 November 2004
I am an avid fan of the 'carol' movies, and have read the book more times than I can count. Some version of 'Carol' are terrible, some are brilliant, this movie goes into the latter choice. Kemp brings us a very believable Scrooge, a loan shark in a council estate. We see more of Scrooges love, Belle (or rather, Bella, in this new version), who fills out the character like I have never seen before. The ghosts were fantastically thought out, instead of being random spirits, these ghosts were close to Scrooge in their lives. The Ghost of Christmas-Yet-To-Come being the biggest shocker of all.
This is undoubtedly my favorite take on the 'Carols' so far, and I would recommend it to anyone. I really, really hope that one day, it will be brought out onto DVD, I don't think the recording I made of it when it aired will last much longer from being watched.
This is undoubtedly my favorite take on the 'Carols' so far, and I would recommend it to anyone. I really, really hope that one day, it will be brought out onto DVD, I don't think the recording I made of it when it aired will last much longer from being watched.
Worth your time.
adamjohns-425751 January 2023
A Christmas Carol (Ross Kemp) (2000) -
While Ross Kemp, would never have been my first choice to play any variation of Ebenezer (Eddie) Scrooge and he wasn't brilliant in this role, basically playing Grant Mitchell (Eastenders), I did believe that his character had truly gone through a change as a result of his visitations, because at the very beginning I felt that he was way passed a redemption of any sort.
This version of the classic Dickens novel was a hugely bastardised script that was actually as much 'Groundhog Day' (1993) as 'A Christmas Carol', but it somehow worked. Yes, I was surprised too!
I actually did enjoy it, despite a few hammy and overacted performances.
Will I be adding it to my list of films to watch every Christmas? Probably not, but I'm glad that I've seen it and I would watch it again in the future, although The Muppets, George C. Scott and Alistair Sim alternatives will always be lined up before it.
In fairness, the bastardisation was only really done to bring it up to date for the time that it was filmed and set and I thought that it was done quite cleverly to show that the same issues still existed over 150 years after Charles Dickens wrote the source material. Sadly the world does not seem to have improved since the mid 1800's or even the Millennium and we still have that balance of rich and poor, instead of a world where everyone lives comfortably.
Other than the fact that Liz Smith (Joyce) must have known the script to this story off by heart, this being at least the third one I've seen her in and the dodgy bit where Eddie was arguing with the ghost of Christmas future that was really quite weird, there's nothing more to say about this one, except perhaps to not judge it based on its premise and cast as I initially did 22 years ago.
7/10.
While Ross Kemp, would never have been my first choice to play any variation of Ebenezer (Eddie) Scrooge and he wasn't brilliant in this role, basically playing Grant Mitchell (Eastenders), I did believe that his character had truly gone through a change as a result of his visitations, because at the very beginning I felt that he was way passed a redemption of any sort.
This version of the classic Dickens novel was a hugely bastardised script that was actually as much 'Groundhog Day' (1993) as 'A Christmas Carol', but it somehow worked. Yes, I was surprised too!
I actually did enjoy it, despite a few hammy and overacted performances.
Will I be adding it to my list of films to watch every Christmas? Probably not, but I'm glad that I've seen it and I would watch it again in the future, although The Muppets, George C. Scott and Alistair Sim alternatives will always be lined up before it.
In fairness, the bastardisation was only really done to bring it up to date for the time that it was filmed and set and I thought that it was done quite cleverly to show that the same issues still existed over 150 years after Charles Dickens wrote the source material. Sadly the world does not seem to have improved since the mid 1800's or even the Millennium and we still have that balance of rich and poor, instead of a world where everyone lives comfortably.
Other than the fact that Liz Smith (Joyce) must have known the script to this story off by heart, this being at least the third one I've seen her in and the dodgy bit where Eddie was arguing with the ghost of Christmas future that was really quite weird, there's nothing more to say about this one, except perhaps to not judge it based on its premise and cast as I initially did 22 years ago.
7/10.
A modernized version that works for this "traditionalist"!
jschultheis12 January 2002
As someone who comes from a family of Christmas fanatics and HUGE "Carol" fans begging for a version that remains completely faithful to the original text, this updated version intrigued me like very few have. Although the use of Marley is unusual (he appears several times), I bought into the concept of Scrooge as a heartless loan shark and Bob Cratchitt as his assistant trapped in a job from which he cannot afford to escape. I especially enjoyed some of the modern, and very creative, approaches which will be better appreciated by those more familiar with the story. What captured my attention initially, was the opening scene in which the familiar, "Marley was dead..." is delivered in a totally fresh manner. If you love the "Carol" try to find this next Christmas on public television (which is where I found it by accident)!
A Kempmas Carol - OK, but silly TV Movie
ninjaalexs21 January 2022
A Christmas Carol was produced for ITV in the UK. Ross Kemp was allegedly a driving force in getting this film made, as he is a fan of the story. It was his first big role since EastEnders.
Unfortunately everything about it just strikes the wrong tone. It's set on Alexandra Road council estate in Camden. A popular filming location for "urban films". It just looks drab and soulless. Even Eddie Scrooge's flat which is supposed to look modern, looks like they set-dressed a carpark.
Scrooge as the loan shark is a good idea, but Kemp doesn't have the acting chops to pull off the more intense scenes and it is reduced to looking camp. That's the issue it's tries hard to be funny, but also serious and it doesn't do either well. It's seems like they were trying to attract a family audience; most violence is off screen and only mild swearwords, but trying to make it dark.
There's a fine supporting cast with Liz Smith and Mina Anwar who are always good value. I'm not sure if Warren Mitchell is an inspired choice as Scrooge's father or not.
The whole production looks cheaper than it is, with only a few locations and some terrible special effects even for a 2000 TV movie. The ghosts don't even look like ghosts just men in chains.
All that said, I didn't hate it. It's not a turkey, but it needed longer to cook and a sharper script.
Unfortunately everything about it just strikes the wrong tone. It's set on Alexandra Road council estate in Camden. A popular filming location for "urban films". It just looks drab and soulless. Even Eddie Scrooge's flat which is supposed to look modern, looks like they set-dressed a carpark.
Scrooge as the loan shark is a good idea, but Kemp doesn't have the acting chops to pull off the more intense scenes and it is reduced to looking camp. That's the issue it's tries hard to be funny, but also serious and it doesn't do either well. It's seems like they were trying to attract a family audience; most violence is off screen and only mild swearwords, but trying to make it dark.
There's a fine supporting cast with Liz Smith and Mina Anwar who are always good value. I'm not sure if Warren Mitchell is an inspired choice as Scrooge's father or not.
The whole production looks cheaper than it is, with only a few locations and some terrible special effects even for a 2000 TV movie. The ghosts don't even look like ghosts just men in chains.
All that said, I didn't hate it. It's not a turkey, but it needed longer to cook and a sharper script.
One Of the Best
csrusso25 December 2005
I actually stumbled upon this version from 2000 by accident. It was Christmas morning, 2002 and I was laying in bed looking for something to watch. I just happened to click on one of the local public stations out of Long Island and immediately became transfixed. I wasn't even sure of what I was watching. Then it struck me. A modern day Christmas Carol, complete with the British accents! What a treasure. The only negative thing I can say about this film is that it's next to impossible to find it playing on TV here in the states. It's also not available in any media form (VHS / DVD).
This is my favorite version of the Dickens classic and every cold-hearted anti holiday Grinch would be served well by one viewing.
If anyone knows where I can find this, please email me!!!! Thanks
This is my favorite version of the Dickens classic and every cold-hearted anti holiday Grinch would be served well by one viewing.
If anyone knows where I can find this, please email me!!!! Thanks
Scrooge on the tower block
Prismark1016 January 2016
This modern reworking stars Ross Kemp as Eddie Scrooge, a loan shark in a council estate. He is mean but unlike other loan sharks he does not break your arms and legs or threaten to rape single mothers. He just throws down the television set from the 15th floor instead of selling it in Cash Converters for some ever readies.
On Christmas Eve Eddie is visited by the ghost of his late murdered business partner Marley who warns him that if he does not mend his ways he will face an afterlife of misery, presumably he will owe himself some money.
Marley tells him that Eddie will be visited by three ghosts. The first ghost is his father who harks back to his impoverished childhood and his later blossoming love life with Bell who is a nurse but who left him because of his increasing meanness.
However each time Eddie is visited by a ghost his life resets to that Christmas Eve which he relives like Groundhog Day and Eddie clumsily tries to improve his ways but with little success as his heart is not in it until he meets the third and final ghost.
It seems that Eddie needs to face up to hard truths such as his role in the death of Marley which is why he tries to avoid Marley's mother or his world-view of the feckless and deserving poor.
It is an interesting update on the Dickens tale. Of course Eddie comes across too much as Grunt Mitchell that famous character Kemp played in Eastenders and the ending is not as sentimental as the Dickens novel but the comic elements does not quiet work and Michael Maloney seems miscast as Bob Cratchett.
On Christmas Eve Eddie is visited by the ghost of his late murdered business partner Marley who warns him that if he does not mend his ways he will face an afterlife of misery, presumably he will owe himself some money.
Marley tells him that Eddie will be visited by three ghosts. The first ghost is his father who harks back to his impoverished childhood and his later blossoming love life with Bell who is a nurse but who left him because of his increasing meanness.
However each time Eddie is visited by a ghost his life resets to that Christmas Eve which he relives like Groundhog Day and Eddie clumsily tries to improve his ways but with little success as his heart is not in it until he meets the third and final ghost.
It seems that Eddie needs to face up to hard truths such as his role in the death of Marley which is why he tries to avoid Marley's mother or his world-view of the feckless and deserving poor.
It is an interesting update on the Dickens tale. Of course Eddie comes across too much as Grunt Mitchell that famous character Kemp played in Eastenders and the ending is not as sentimental as the Dickens novel but the comic elements does not quiet work and Michael Maloney seems miscast as Bob Cratchett.
Brilliant Adaptation!
jackiem-326 October 2001
A modern take on the familiar Christmas Carol story. This time Scrooge is a loan shark on an inner city estate. He brings misery to everyone who knows him, until he's finally shown the error of his ways by the three spirits. I recorded it last Christmas, and will certainly be watching it again this year. Look out for it being repeated!
Groundhog Christmas Carol
MiketheWhistle21 December 2019
I've seen every iteration of the Christmas Carol including many plays. Unfortunately i'm not as taken by this one as the other reviewers. I think the problem is that this is from a story and variations are ok, but in my opinion this one just goes to astray. My review title is a hint, but this story simply doesn't hold true to the traditional story and tries to mix in other stories.
Having said that, it is a good watch at the holidays regardless, just don't expect it to live up to its title.
UK Xmas Carol
javadude6700214 December 2005
This Christmas Carol was broadcast on the local PBS station here in Wichita about 2 years ago. It's no Alistair Sim version by any means, but it is a VERY well done up to date version that is rather dark. It's also sort of a tangent related to a similar version called "An American Christmas Carol" with Henry Winkler 1979 where he plays a similar loan-shark character. This UK version is very well done, and I wish it would come out on DVD.
I managed to get a hold of a VHS copy and treasure it.
Death is by far one of the best ghosts I have seen in a while.
.
I managed to get a hold of a VHS copy and treasure it.
Death is by far one of the best ghosts I have seen in a while.
.
Give this version time to brew.
sarah-fiddlesticks25 December 2009
Heart. This version has heart. Which is more than I can say for the latest Jim Carrey one. But I've opinionated about that elsewhere. When I first watched it in 2000, as a die-in-the-wool Dickens fan and this particular story, I was not impressed. But I will admit, in my immaturity, my displeasure had a great deal to do with Ross Kemp whom I didn't (and still don't) consider an actor worthy of the story. But here I am in 2009 and as it was on, I watched it, and this time I was impressed by the fact that it remained true to the spirit of the story if not to the story itself. In fact, I'll blaspheme a little; I thought parts of exceeded the original story. Especially the ghost of Christmas yet to come. But I do wish an actor of better calibre had been chosen for the part of Scrooge. Dear old Mr Kemp, let him stay in his soap where he belongs. The music was easily forgotten, the lighting or sound was not celebratory. The director will not have a memorial placed after her. But full marks to Peter Bowker, the screenwriter. A dark version children can watch. And it is interesting I found; if this happened in real life, the people whom Scrooge had wronged, would not immediately forgive him for all the pain he had inflicted upon them as has happened in all the other versions. This is a true to life fantasy. Top marks. Molly Cutpurse.
Amazing This version is a must!!!
simon381811 December 2009
This version of A Christmas Carol is now a tradition - I cant stop watching it and it never grows boring.
Its a modern 21st century version of the story we know and love with Ross Kemp playing Edward (Eddie) Scrooge who, of course, is a money lender/loan shark who squeezes everything he can out of his poor clients.
Christmas eve night he gets the visit from Marley - His recently murdered business partner who announces the spirits. After each spirit, Eddie relives Christmas Eve in a chance to get it right.
He eventually does, meets up with his lost love and they have a son who is familiar to Eddie.
Its brilliantly written, directed and Ross Kemp is fantastic as Eddie Scrooge, certainly in the top 3 Scrooges of all time. Its on ITV3 during Christmas 2009 - catch it, its worth it.
Its a modern 21st century version of the story we know and love with Ross Kemp playing Edward (Eddie) Scrooge who, of course, is a money lender/loan shark who squeezes everything he can out of his poor clients.
Christmas eve night he gets the visit from Marley - His recently murdered business partner who announces the spirits. After each spirit, Eddie relives Christmas Eve in a chance to get it right.
He eventually does, meets up with his lost love and they have a son who is familiar to Eddie.
Its brilliantly written, directed and Ross Kemp is fantastic as Eddie Scrooge, certainly in the top 3 Scrooges of all time. Its on ITV3 during Christmas 2009 - catch it, its worth it.
Lame update of Dickens' classic.
BoultersCanary29 November 2005
Badly written attempt to modernise Dickens' classic Christmas story. Directed by somebody who thinks they're making a pop video. And if the writing and direction are bad, the acting......... Well, it's Ross Kemp doing his usual 'cockney wide-boy with mad, staring eyes and croaky voice' act. About as convincing as Dick Van Dyke in 'Mary Poppins'. "Stroike a li' guvnah".
Even Michael Caine was better in the Muppet version. I'd rather watch the moronic musical version. (Well actually, I'd rather poke my eyes out with lollipop sticks but watching Albert Finney trying to sing and dance is - marginally - less painful).
Avoid. If you know what's good for you. This is "dead aht ov ordah".
Even Michael Caine was better in the Muppet version. I'd rather watch the moronic musical version. (Well actually, I'd rather poke my eyes out with lollipop sticks but watching Albert Finney trying to sing and dance is - marginally - less painful).
Avoid. If you know what's good for you. This is "dead aht ov ordah".
A brilliant film
cameron-bater26 December 2013
In my opinion this film will become another Christmas classic like the Snowman and its sequel The Snowman And The Snowdog which as we all know are mandatory to watch at Christmas. I saw this film for the first time this year (2013-14) (even though its release was 2000)and it has been my burden to track it down since, the story is all there but perhaps because of the modern setting it is more relatable (especially given the economic situation we're in at the moment)
I hope that none find themselves in the way of a scrooge figure as a result and I wish thy all a Merry Christmas and a Happy Western New Year :).
I hope that none find themselves in the way of a scrooge figure as a result and I wish thy all a Merry Christmas and a Happy Western New Year :).
A Christmas carol
sahorsfield5 December 2018
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