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A Christmas Carol (2000 film)
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Wikipedia article
'A Christmas Carol' is a British television crime fantasy drama film, written by Peter Bowker, that first broadcast on ITV on 20 December 2000. The film is a modern adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1843 novella of the same name, and stars Ross Kemp in the role of Eddie Scrooge, who finds himself repeatedly living the same Christmas Eve while he is haunted by ghosts. The story is set nearly entirely on a London housing estate.
The film was one of a number of projects offered to Kemp as part of his "golden handcuffs" deal with ITV, following his departure from 'EastEnders'. 9.41 million viewers watched the film on its debut Wednesday night broadcast. The film is also regularly repeated on ITV3 during the buildup to Christmas each year. The film has never been released on DVD.
Synopsis
Eddie Scrooge is an unscrupulous loan shark living on a poor inner-city estate, who brings misery to everyone who knows him. When his business partner Jacob Marley is shot dead, Scrooge realises he knows the reason behind the killing, but chooses not disclose this information to the police, or Marley's family. On Christmas Eve, Bob Cratchit, one of Scrooge's debtors, assists Scrooge on collecting debts from the estate. Scrooge declines an invitation to Christmas dinner from his nephew Dave. That night, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Marley, carrying heavy chains representing his sins, who tells him to expect three ghosts so he might escape the same fate.
The first ghost, Scrooge's father, shows him visions of his past, including his troubled upbringing in poverty and meeting his now ex-girlfriend Bella, a nurse who splits from Scrooge upon noticing the misery he causes to his debtors. Scrooge rudely dismisses his father and finds the next morning that he is living the same Christmas Eve all over again, and is able to predict the events of the day. Scrooge chooses to change nothing about the day. That night, Marley reappears, standing in for the second ghost, and shows Scrooge visions of the present Christmas, including the festivities of his debtors, who are nonetheless happy. Scrooge witnesses Bob's son Tim, who spends the day in hospital suffering from cistic fibrosis. Two teenagers living rough on the estate die from hypothermia, and their ghosts appear before Scrooge and Marley.
Scrooge once again wakes up on Christmas Eve, and half-heartedly attempts to change events to appear more generous and impress Bella. Scrooge finds the sick teenagers and opts to help them. The girl dies regardless because Scrooge chose to look for Bella rather than call an ambulance. Bella remarks that Scrooge will never change. Marley returns one last time and convinces Scrooge to confess that he is partially responsible for his murder; Marley was making a move on the territory of a crook named Stiles, whom Scrooge told where to meet Marley, whereupon he shot Marley dead. Scrooge concedes that he does not enjoy his life and Marley vanishes.
Attempting to escape the haunting, Scrooge meets the third ghost, a child that Scrooge recognises but he is not sure where from. The boy takes Scrooge to the near future; Tim dies from his illness, and the Cratchits split apart in grief. Scrooge's belongings are being flogged outside his home, while Bella and Dave visit Scrooge's inexpensive grave. Scrooge vows to change his ways if he is allowed to return to the present, which he is. Scrooge saves the two sick teenagers, cancels all his debts and anonymously gives his money away to many of those he has wronged, including the Cratchits. He reveals the identity of Marley's killer to Dave and promises to attend Christmas dinner with him and his family. Bella finds Scrooge discreetly bringing gifts to the teenagers, who are recovering. Scrooge tells Bella about his hauntings and she takes him back.
Years later, Scrooge and Bella are ice-skating with their son - who appeared to Scrooge as the third ghost.
Cast
* Ross Kemp as Edward "Eddie" Scrooge
* Warren Mitchell as James Scrooge, Eddie's Dad (the Ghost of Christmas Past)
* Liz Smith as Joyce
* Michael Maloney as Bob Cratchit
* Angeline Ball as Bella
* Ray Fearon as Jacob Marley (the Ghost of Christmas Present)
* Mina Anwar as Julie
* Lorraine Ashbourne as Sue Cratchit
* Daniel Ainsleigh as Dave (Fred in the original novella)
* Claudie Blakley as Ellie
* Chloe Howman as Jane
* Bill Thomas as Ted
* Ben Tibber as Tiny Tim Cratchit
* Ben Inigo-Jones as Marley Scrooge, Eddie's Son (the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come)
See also
* Adaptations of 'A Christmas Carol'
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