A Christmas Carol (1999) Movie Script
Man that is born of woman
hath but a short time to live
and is full of misery.
He cometh out
and is cut down like a flower.
I can hardly believe
that mr. Marleys gone.
Hes at peace, mr. Crump.
Hes nowhere, sir.
Truth is, hes dead,
dead as a doornail...
Though i dont know
whats particularly
dead about a doornail.
Come to think of it, i wouldnt
think that a doornail...
Was the deadest piece
of ironmongery in the trade.
Why not say, "dead as a doorknob
or a door knocker"?
Nail, knob or knocker,
jacobs gone, and theres
an end to it.
A mighty poor turnout for such
an important businessman.
Perhaps it was because
of the day he died.
The day he died, sir?
Christmas eve.
It would account for
the lack of grieving relatives.
At least he was spared that
in his final hours.
Great loss, sir.
We leave you
to grieve in silence.
The firm of "scrooge & marley"
will miss your shrewd brain...
And keen eye, jacob.
We went through
some hard times together,
But we pulled through...
And we thrived
on the idleness of others.
Rest content, jacob,
That the firm we built
together will prosper.
I promise.
And a merry christmas and a
happy new year to you too, sir.
Merry christmas, sir.
Merry christmas, sir.
Let me get that, sir.
I was wondering, sir,
if after seven years,
Youd be removing
mr. Marleys name
from the sign outside?
No. Time will erase it
at no cost to us.
Yes, sir.
I was just getting some
coal, sir, for the fire.
Its going out.
Poke, it, sir.
Poke it!
Shhh.
A merry christmas, uncle!
God save you!
Bah! Humbug!
Christmas a humbug, uncle?
You dont mean it.
I do mean it, sir!
Merry christmas?
What reason have you
to be merry?
What right have you
to be merry? Youre poor!
Well, what right have you
to be miserable, then?
Youre rich.
Merry christmas!
Damn your
merry christmas!
Whats christmastime to you
but a time for paying bills
without money?
A time for finding
yourself a year older
and not an hour richer?
A time for balancing
your books...
And finding every item
dead against you?
If i had my way,
every idiot who went around with
"merry christmas" on his lips...
Would be boiled
with his own pudding...
And buried with a stake of holly
through his heart.
Come, uncle--
Nephew, you keep
christmas in your way.
Ill keep it in mine.
But you dont keep it.
Then let me
leave it alone, then.
I still say merry christmas.
Thats all you do say.
Much good it does you.
Much good itll ever do you.
I daresay there are many things
ive got a lot of good from...
Which havent made me a penny
profit, christmas amongst them.
You see, uncle,
ive always thought of christmas
as a time for good, not profit.
A kind, forgiving time.
A time when men and women
can think of others.
Its never put
an extra penny in my pocket,
But i believe
christmas has done me good
and will do me good.
So i still say,
merry christmas, uncle!
- You said something,
mr. Cratchit?
- No, sir.
Another sound
out of you, sir,
And youll make this
a truly merry christmas
by losing your job.
Uncle, dont be hard
on mr. Cratchit.
Its all my fault.
Youre quite the powerful
speaker, sir. A wonder you
dont go into parliament.
Dont be angry, uncle.
Dine with us tomorrow.
Dine with you?
Ill see you damned first!
But why?
Why did you marry?
Because i fell in love.
Because you fell in love.
Love! Humbug!
Oh, so you wont come to see
me because im married.
Yes.
Well, you never came to see
me when i wasnt married.
Good afternoon, nephew.
I want nothing from you.
I ask nothing of you.
Why cant we be friends?
Good afternoon!
Well, im sorry
youre so stubborn.
But i came here
full of the christmas spirit.
So i say again,
merry christmas, uncle.
Good afternoon!
- And a happy new year!
- Good afternoon!
- And a merry christmas
to you, mr. Cratchit.
- Merry christmas, sir.
You find my nephew
amusing, cratchit?
Hes a very pleasant
fellow, sir.
Yeah. Youre another
christmas lunatic like him.
If you say so, sir.
Oh, it seems you doubt me,
mr. Cratchit.
What are you, then?
Your clerk, mr. Scrooge.
My 15-Shilling-A-Week clerk
with a wife and family.
Yet you babble
about merry christmas.
Ill retire to bedlam.
Sir, do you know
this area?
Tolerably well.
Were new to the district.
Were looking for the offices
of scrooge & marley.
Some 50 yards
along on the right.
Good, good. Were collecting
charitable donations
for the poor at clerkenwell.
Youre collecting money
on behalf of a charity from...
mr. Ebenezer scrooge?
Yes, and mr. Marley
and other businessmen
of the neighborhood.
Yes, we think christmas eve
is a most appropriate time
for giving freely.
This is the office
of scrooge & marley?
It is, sir.
May i press
your cudiles, sir.
Do i have the honor
of addressing mr. Scrooge
or mr. Marley?
Mr. Marley has been dead
these seven years.
He-- Huh.
He died seven years ago
this very night.
Mr. Williams and mr. Foster.
May we offer our sympathy?
Why? Youre not
relatives, are you?
No, but we feel sure you must be
thinking about him at this time.
And im sure
his generosity is represented
by his surviving partner.
At this festive time of the year
it is surely desirable...
That we make
some slight provision
for the poor and destitute.
Dont you agree?
I take it
that you gentlemen
are new to the district.
New and eager, sir.
You will agree, im sure,
That many thousands of people
lack the basic necessities,
And many hundreds of thousands
lack ordinary comforts.
- Are there no prisons?
- Plenty of prisons, sir.
And the union workhouses?
Are they still in operation?
Yes, they are. I only wish
i could say they were not.
A few of us are endeavoring
to raise a fund...
To buy the poor some meat
and drink and means of warmth.
How much may we put you
down for, mr. Scrooge?
Nothing.
Ah, you wish
to remain anonymous.
I wish to be left alone.
I dont make merry myself
at christmastime,
And i cant afford
to make idle people merry.
I support those institutions
i have mentioned,
And i expect the poor
to make use of them.
Those who are badly off
must go there.
Many cannot go there,
and many would rather die.
If theyd rather die,
theyd better do it and decrease
the surplus population.
Mr. Cratchit, would you
show these gentlemen out?
their troubled minds
of great joy i bring
this day
Thank you.
Thank you, sir.
Im gonna try scrooges.
Oh, dont do that.
Dont!
looked out
lay roundabout
the moon that night
Its scrooge! Run!
Get away from here!
Youll want all day
tomorrow, i suppose?
If its convenient, sir.
Its not convenient!
Its not fair.
If i was to deduct
half a crown for your
taking the day off,
Youd think yourself
ill-Used.
But you dont think me
ill-Used when i pay a days
wages for no work.
Its only
once a year, sir.
Bah.
Fine excuse for
picking a mans pocket
every 25th of december.
I suppose you must
have the whole day.
You be here all the earlier
the next morning.
Yes, sir. Merry--
You were about to say
something, cratchit?
Nothing, sir.
Jacob!
Jacob marley!
Huh?
Humbug!
Hmm.
Indigestion.
No, i wont believe it.
What business
do you want with me?
Much.
Who are you, sir?
Ask me who i was.
Very well.
Who were you, then?
In life...
i was your partner,
jacob marley.
- Can you sit down?
- I can.
Well, do it, then.
You dont believe in me?
I dont.
Why do you doubt
your senses?
Because little things
upset em.
An upset stomach can put em
quite out of order.
You could be
a crumb of moldy cheese,
an underdone turnip.
Moldy cheese?
An underdone turnip?
Or some british beef.
That could be mighty upsetting
to the stomach.
Theres more gravy than grave
about you, jacob.
Ahhh! Ahh!
What is it?
Speak up, man!
Why do spirits...
Walk the earth,
And why do they
come to me?
It is required
of every man that
the spirit within him...
Should walk abroad
among his fellow men
and travel far and wide.
And if that spirit
goes not forth in life,
It is condemned
to do so after death.
It is doomed to wander
through the world--
Oh, woe is me--
And witness
what it cannot share...
But might have shared on earth
and turned to happiness.
Youre fettered.
Tell me why.
I wear the chain
i forged in life.
I made it link by link
and yard by yard.
It is a ponderous chain.
Do you know
the weight and length
of the coil you bear?
It was as heavy
and as long as this
seven christmas eves ago.
You have labored
on it since.
Jacob. Jacob marley.
Speak comfort to me, jacob!
I have none to give.
I cannot rest.
I cannot stay.
I cannot linger anywhere.
Oh, never to be able to make
amends for missed opportunities
Oh, the torture of remorse.
Jacob, i-- I dont understand
why youre suffering.
All your life
you were a good businessman.
Thats why im suffering.
The suffering i caused others
is being repaid.
Jacob, it was business!
Business?
Mankind was my business.
The common good
was my business.
At this time
of the rolling year...
I suffer most.
Why i can appear to you tonight
in a shape that you can see
i do not know,
But i have sat invisible
beside you many and many a day,
trying to reach you.
Listen to me, ebenezer.
My time on earth is nearly gone.
Im here to warn you
that you have a chance...
Of escaping
my terrible fate.
A chance i got for you.
You were always
a good friend to me.
You will be haunted
by three spirits.
Is this the chance
you spoke of?
It is.
In that case,
id rather not.
Without their visits, youve
no hope of escaping your fate.
Expect the first tomorrow
when the bell tolls 1:00.
Couldnt i take em all at once
and have it over and done with?
Expect the second spirit
on the next night
at the same time...
And the third
the night following at 12:00.
Ugh!
Look to see me no more...
And for your own sake, remember
what has passed between us.
These spirits try to interfere,
For good, in human affairs...
But theyve lost
the power forever.
That is the curse we bear.
Ck chiming ]
A quarter past.
Half past.
A quarter to it.
The hour itself.
Nothings happened.
Are you the spirit
whose coming was foretold?
I am.
Who-- What are you?
Im the ghost of christmas past.
Long past?
No... your past.
Spirit, put on your cap.
Be covered.
What? Would you so soon
put out the light i give?
Is it not enough that
you are one of those whose
passions made this cap...
And forced me to wear it
low upon my brow?
I had no intention
of offending you, sir.
Thankee. What business
brings you here?
Your welfare.
Oh, well,
im much obliged to you.
But a peaceful night
of unbroken rest would have been
more conducive to that end!
Your reclamation, then.
Come with me.
Some other time, perhaps.
I-I-Im not dressed.
I have a weak chest,
a monstrous head cold.
Rise and walk with me.
No, im mortal.
Im liable to fall!
All i have to do
is touch you... there.
Good heavens!
I know this place!
I was a boy here!
You remember the way?
Remember it?
I could walk it blindfold.
I know these boys.
We went to the same school!
Theres jenkins!
And, uh, and tony veck!
And, um... benjamin fish!
And toby bell!
Toby!
Theyre only shadows
of things that have been.
They cant see us
or hear us.
Theyre going home
for the christmas holidays.
Its my old school.
Why didnt you go home
for christmas?
I wasnt wanted.
My father turned against me
when my mother died.
Sent me away.
Didnt want to see me ever.
- Thats hard.
- Life is hard.
Lets see another christmas.
- Fran!
-
Brother! Brother!
Fran! What are you
doing here, fran?
Ive come
to bring you home, brother.
Home! Home, home!
For how long?
Forever and ever.
Fathers changed.
Hes so much kinder
than he used to be.
Home is like heaven now.
He spoke so gently to me
one dear night when
i was going to bed...
That i wasnt afraid
to ask him once more
if you might come home.
And he said
yes, you should...
And sent me in a coach
to bring you.
Oh, fran!
Come on!
Come on!
-
Such a delicate creature,
but she had a large heart.
So she had.
Youre right.
Ill not deny it,
spirit. God forbid!
She died young?
Too young.
Your sister married
and had children?
One child.
True. Your nephew.
Fred... yes.
Do you know this place?
Know it?
I was apprenticed here.
Fezziwig!
Its old fezziwig,
alive again!
Yo-Ho, ebenezer, dick.
Its 7:00!
Dick wilkins!
Why, bless me, there he is.
He was very much
attached to me, was dick.
No more work, boys!
Its christmas eve, dick!
Its christmas, ebenezer!
No more business!
Doors closed,
Shutters up, before you can say
"jack robinson."
Yo-Ho! Yo-Ho!
Quickly! Clear away!
Mind the ledger!
Watch out!
Make more room here
for the dancing.
Hilly-Ho!
Hilly-Ho!
Hilly-Ho, dick!
Hilly-Ho, ebenezer!
Thats right!
Shutters up, boys!
Shutters up! Oh-- Door.
Chirrup! Chirrup!
Were ready, ladies!
- Hold your horses, husband!
- Horses? Horses?
I see no horses, my dear.
Splendid woman,
mrs. Fezziwig.
- Little eli fezziwig.
-
Marigold, daisy
and lily fezziwig.
Ebenezer, ebenezer,
do the trick!
You want the trick,
master eli?
Abracadabra,
one, two...
Three!
- Yea!
- Mrs. Fezziwig, i thought
you were on a diet.
I am, but i need this
to give me the strength
to go on with it.
Tuck in, one and all!
Eat heartily before
mrs. Fezziwig has it all.
And remember, remember,
shes on a diet.
Nice dance!
Oh, ebenezer!
hey!
Your turn, mr. Fezziwig.
Oh, not tonight, mrs. F.
Oh, persuade him,
ebenezer.
Oh, it wouldnt be christmas
without you performing,
mr. Fezziwig.
Oh, very well.
I could always
coax him into it.
her sister and her mother
her sister and her mother
going to marry all of those
and fatheaded cousins
in rows, rows, rows
going to marry all of those
and fatheaded cousins
rows, rows, rows
"The portsmouth polka"!
"Ebenezer, when
happiness shows up,
Always give it
a comfortable seat."
True.
Giving people pleasure
is such a small matter.
He only spent a few pounds--
Three or four, at best.
Is it so much that
he deserves praise for it?
You dont understand,
spirit!
He had the power to make us
happy or unhappy,
To make our work
heavy or light!
Whats the matter?
Nothing.
Looking back...
Perhaps things seemed
better than they really were.
- All this was a lie, then?
- The world changes.
You cant trust anything.
But no,
it was just like this,
Right down to the last
mince pie and dance.
The years change people.
I dont wish to look, sir.
You must.
Theres nothing the world
is so hard on as poverty, belle,
And theres nothing
it professes to condemn...
With such severity
as the pursuit of wealth.
You fear the world
too much.
All your nobler hopes
have merged into the one
hope of being rich.
One master passion
engulfs you-- Money!
What of it?
Even if ive grown wiser,
Ive not changed
towards you, have i?
Our promise to marry
is an old one.
It was made
when we were poor
and content to be so...
Until we improved
our fortunes.
You are changed.
When we promised each other,
you were another man.
I was a boy.
How often and how keenly
ive thought of this
i will not say.
But i have thought of it
and can release you
from your promise.
No! No!
Have i ever asked you
to release me?
In words? No, never.
How, then?
In your changed nature.
In everything
that made me love you.
If this had never been
between us, tell me,
Would you seek me out
and try to win me now?
Ah, no.
You think not?
I know you wouldnt,
my love.
Speak to her!
Why doesnt he speak to her?
If you were free today,
tomorrow, yesterday,
Would you choose
a poor girl like me to marry?
You who weigh everything
by gain?
No. Thered be
no profit in it.
And if you forgot your principl
of profit for a moment
and did marry me,
Youd regret it,
my love, i know.
And so i release you
with a full heart...
For the love of the man
you once were.
May you be happy
in the life youve chosen.
Go after her.
Dont be afraid.
Go after her!
No more.
Show me no more.
Take me home.
Why do you delight
in torturing me?
Haunt me no longer!
Come in.
Come in and know me
better, man!
Have you never seen
anything like this before?
Not in this house.
I am the ghost
of christmas present.
Havent you met with
others of my family?
My older brothers
who preceded me?
I dont think i have, spirit.
Have you had many brothers?
More than 1,800.
Tremendous family
to provide for.
Spirit, take me
where you wish.
Id like to get this
over and done with!
Touch my robe.
Why do you sprinkle water
on the food? Is there
a blessing in it?
There is. My own.
And would that apply
to any meal on this day?
Well, to any kindly given.
To a poor one most of all.
Why to a poor one
most of all?
Because it needs it most.
Where are we going
now, spirit?
Mr. Cratchits house,
every christmas.
My clerk, bob cratchit?
The same bob you pay
15 bob a week.
Every saturday
he pockets just 15 copies
of his christian name,
And yet here i am,
the ghost of christmas present,
going to bless him.
it fair took the bun
to collar our few sticks
to all their tricks
a go at them
minus pants
in an ambulance
besides myself
been having a go
been having a go
been having a go
Let the punch get nice and hot,
belinda. Your father should be
home any minute with tim.
Marthas here!
Martha!
Marthas here!
Marthas here! Hooray!
You should see
the goose, martha.
Its such a goose, martha.
Youll not believe it!
Bless my heart alive, my dear.
Youre late!
We had a great deal
of work to finish off,
So i slept all night
in the workshop, then we had
to clear away this morning.
She sounds a very
hardworking young girl.
She has to be.
Never mind, never mind.
So long as youre here.
You sit yourself
down by the fire and
have yourself a good warm.
- No! Heres father coming!
- Fathers coming!
Hide, martha!
Go on, hide!
-
Go, go, go!
Whoa there, dobbin! Whoa!
Merry christmas!
Merry christmas, father.
And so say all of us.
Come on, tim.
You need a wash.
I didnt know cratchit
had a crippled son.
Why didnt you ask?
Wheres martha?
Shes not coming.
Not coming?
Not coming christmas day?
Martha!
Its martha!
Ohhh.
Of course it is.
Come on, girls.
Lets get the table laid.
How did tim behave?
As good as gold...
and better.
Somehow he gets thoughtful
sitting by himself so much,
And he thinks the strangest
things you ever heard.
He told me, coming home,
He hoped that
people saw him in church
because he was a cripple,
And it might be pleasant for e
to remember on christmas day...
Who made lame beggars walk
and blind men see.
Not many remember that,
you can count on it.
- I think hes
getting better by the day.
- Hes growing stronger, mother.
Everyone go to the table.
The goose,
the goose!
Is it ready?
It should be. Its been cooking
for the past five hours.
There you go, tim.
And heres the gravy.
The goose, the goose, the goose,
The goose, the goose,
the goose, the goose,
The goose, the goose, the goose,
goose, goose, goose, goose!
Its beautiful.
Its not there
to be looked at.
Oh, no, no.
You do the honors, mother.
Its a beauty!
Whered you get it, mother?
The market. I left it late,
so i got it cheap.
Very clever, my dear.
It does smell good,
i must say.
- Its so tender.
- It melts in your mouth.
- I love the gravy.
- Oh, its just sage and onion.
Its a feast, mother.
Only you could have done it.
- What do you think, tim?
- Mmm. Mmm.
- Whats that you say, tim?
- Speak up, tim.
Give the lad a chance.
Mmm. Mmm.
Its the best goose
weve ever had!
Tell me, spirit,
will tiny tim live?
I see an empty chair
by the fireplace...
And a crutch
without an owner,
Carefully preserved.
Unless the future changes,
the child will die.
Wonderful meal, mother.
You done us proud.
The best
is yet to come, robert.
Pudding!
It might not be done yet!
Mother might break it,
turning it out!
Suppose somebody
got over the garden wall...
And stole it when
we were eating the goose!
Dont say that!
They couldnt!
Oh, my goodness!
Look at the flames!
Its great!
And theres the holly.
Pass that to your father.
Well?
Well?
This is, without a doubt,
The greatest success
you have achieved
since we were married.
I had my doubts about it.
I wasnt too sure
about the flour.
Theres nothing wrong
with that pudding...
Except that its very small
for such a large family.
Nobody complained.
Any cratchit would blush
to even hint at such a thing.
Look.
A merry christmas to us all.
My dear, god bless us.
Merry christmas.
God bless us.
God bless us, everyone!
Is there no chance
that boy will be spared?
Not if the future
remains unaltered.
Hmm?
But so what if it happens?
If hes going to die,
Hed better do it quick and
decrease the surplus population.
Man, if you be
a man in your heart,
forbear that wicked cant...
Until youve discovered
what the surplus really is
and where it is.
Will you decide
what men shall live,
what men shall die?
It may be that
in the sight of heaven,
You are more worthless
and less fit to live...
Than millions like
this poor mans child.
Oh, god, to hear
the insect on the leaf...
Pronouncing there
is too much life among his
hungry brothers in the dust.
A toast,
children, to mr. Scrooge,
the founder of the feast.
Did you say scrooge,
founder of the feast?
Well, my dear--
Founder of the feast indeed!
I wish i had him here.
Id give him a piece of my mind
to feast upon, and id hope hed
have a good appetite for it.
My dear children...
its christmas day.
It should be christmas day,
im sure, on which one drinks
the health...
Of such an odious, stingy, hard,
unfeeling man as mr. Scrooge.
You know he is, robert.
Nobody knows it better
than you do, poor fellow.
My dear, christmas day?
Ill drink to his health
for your sake and the days,
not for his.
Long life to him.
Merry christmas
and happy new year.
A nice gesture.
A long life to him.
Merry christmas, mr. Scrooge.
Merry christmas, mr. Scrooge.
Hell be about as merry
as a graveyard on a wet sunday.
Lets forget ebenezer scrooge
and enjoy ourselves.
Give us a song, tim, lad.
He said that christmas
was a humbug! He really did!
It seems
the less uncle scrooge knows,
the more stubbornly he knows it.
The narrower a mans mind,
the broader his statements.
Thats well put, mr. Bennet.
Thank you, my dear.
Do you think he believes it--
About christmas and humbug?
- Oh, yes. He believes it.
- Then, more shame on him, fred.
Thats what i say.
More shame on him.
Oh, well, if you say so,
so do i, miss betsy.
Oh, mr. Haines.
Please, call me topper.
Everyone i like
calls me topper.
Oh, mr. Topper.
My uncles a very comical
old fellow, but ill not say
anything against him.
- Heat the poker, topper.
-
Youre so easygoing, fred.
Why wont you say anything
against uncle scrooge after
the way hes treated you?
- Why wont you, fred?
- Because i think his offenses
carry their own punishment.
I say!
Splendid!
Ive no patience
with the man.
Well, mr. Scrooge
certainly has very few friends.
Hes the most uncivil man
ive ever met, mr. Bennet.
He never says,
"good morning" or "good evening"
or "merry christmas."
He leaves a bad taste
in peoples eyes.
Poor devil! Who suffers from
his ill humor? Only himself.
By not making merry with us, he
loses pleasanter companions than
he can find in his thoughts--
Either in his moldy old office
or his dusty chambers.
Anyway, i mean to keep
the door of happiness open...
And give him a chance
every year to slip in,
whether he likes it or not.
The poker, topper!
Lets look.
Lets see.
Oh, its very hot.
Why, thank you, dear.
Its hot.
Topper,
will you do the honors?
My pleasure. Thanks.
Warm.
Go on.
I dont understand why your
husband defends mr. Scrooge.
Its because
his mother loved scrooge so
when they were children.
And if my mother loved someone,
they mustve had a good heart
in them,
Just as she did.
She gave that heart to you,
my dear. Thats why i love you.
Theyre talking about
your little sister fran,
arent they?
Yes, they are.
I sometimes forget
that fred is frans child.
You shouldnt.
We have to go now.
Its freezing cold there.
Lets play "consequences"
or "cupids coming."
No, no.
"Dumb crambo."
"Blindmans bluff."
Lets play "blindmans bluff."
Really.
Games, spirit. Games.
Its been so long since--
Lets stay a little.
Can you, can you see now?
I cant see a thing,
mrs. Bennet.
Oh!
Hes cheating!
Hes cheating.
Topper haines cheat?
He is cheating.
Topper haines cheat?
Thats an outrage!
Aha!
Ah.
Ah.
Pretty little nose.
Oh, that little mouth.
Mr. Topper!
Its, um--
Betsy.
Oh.
Oh.
Forfeit.
Oh, mr. Topper.
- It must be a kiss.
- A kiss! A kiss! Come on!
Oh.
Bravo, bravo.
Well done.
Now we must go.
Wait, spirit,
i need to hear--
That was my sisters
favorite tune.
Fran.
Yes.
You should have accepted
freds invitation to dine.
What?
For frans sake,
if not for yours.
I should.
We still have much to do.
Youve grown old, spirit.
Are spirits lives so short?
My life on this globe
is very brief. It ends tonight.
- Tonight?
- Tonight at midnight.
The time is drawing near.
Spirit, forgive me, but--
I see something strange
and not belonging to you.
There, beneath your robe.
Is it a foot or... or a claw?
It might be a claw for
all the flesh there is on it.
Look. Look down here.
Spirit, are they yours?
No, they are mans.
This boy is ignorance.
This girl is want.
Beware of both of them,
but most of all beware the boy,
For on his forehead i see
that written which is doom...
Unless the writing
is erased.
If you deny him, slander those
who tell others about him,
Admit he exists
but do nothing about it,
Then doom
will engulf you all!
Are there no shelters?
No charities to help them?
Are there no prisons?
Are there no workhouses?
You are the spirit
of christmas yet to come?
You are about to show me...
The shadows of things
that have not happened,
But will happen
in the time to come.
I fear you more than any
of the spirits i have seen.
Will you not speak?
Lead on.
Lead on, spirit.
The night is waning fast.
It is precious time to me.
I know. Lead on.
Good, good.
So, a new introduction.
Yes.
Ah, spirit,
the stock exchange.
Now i feel at home.
I know these men.
Here profit is worshipped.
Profit is everything.
I cant find out the truth
about old scrooge.
No, i dont know much
about it either.
I only know hes gone.
When?
Just last night, they say.
Well, what was it?
I thought hed never die.
- God knows.
-
What about his money?
- Wholl get it?
- Not me. Thats all i know.
Its likely to be
a very cheap funeral...
wholl be there.
Do you think
we should volunteer?
I dont mind going
if theres a lunch.
I must be fed.
I never eat lunch,
and i never wear black gloves.
So theres not much
in it for me.
But if youre making up
a party--
Lets just say
well think about it.
Yes, well--
T ]
Shh, shh, shh.
I just had
one little beer.
What was you doing
all night?
I never spent that money.
Whats this? An undertaker,
a laundress and a charlady.
And all come at once?
It wasnt planned.
Were here by chance, joe.
Theres no conspiracy.
If i thought there was,
youd be out like a shot.
I cant be too careful.
As it is,
youre welcome.
How goes the day, joe?
Im sure theres no bones
older than mine, mrs. Dilber.
But were all suited
to our calling.
Matched in heaven.
I am a rag-And-Bone man
by trade...
And a rag-And-Bone man
by nature.
But trade is not what it was.
Whyre you looking,
mrs. Dilber?
Everybodys got a right
to take care of themselves.
He always did.
No man more, mrs. Riggs.
If hed wanted to keep em
after he was dead,
wicked old screw,
Why wasnt he more easy-Like
in his life?
If he had been,
hed have had somebody
to look after him...
When he was struck
with death there,
Instead of lying,
gossiping at his last there.
Alone there.
Undo my bundle, joe.
Tell me what the value is.
Now speak plain.
Im not afraid to go first.
We knew pretty well
we was helping ourselves
afore we met.
- Its no sin.
- Only if we get caught.
Ah, no chance of that.
Nobody cared what happened
to him then or now.
Open the bundle, joe.
No, ladies.
Mine first.
Its the smallest.
Oh, meagre pickings,
mr. Crump-- A pencil case,
Two sleeve buttons...
And a brooch of no great value--
Seven shillings?
Done.
Open my bundle, joe.
What are we doing
in this place, spirit?
What, bed curtains?
Bed curtains.
You took em down
with him lying there, cold?
God in heaven.
The rings are still on em.
I did it, and why not?
You was born to make a fortune,
mrs. Riggs.
I dont hold my hand back...
When i can get something in it
by reaching out.
Are they his blankets,
mrs. Riggs?
Who elses?
He aint likely to catch a cold
without them, i daresay.
I hope he didnt die
of anything catching.
Oh, dont be afraid
of that.
I wasnt so fond of his company
that id loiter about for
anything like that, if he did.
Ooh, look at that shirt, joe.
Finest bit of silk youll see
in a month of sundays.
Theyd have wasted it
if it wasnt for me.
What do you mean,
wasted it?
Some fool put it on him
to get buried in.
I soon took it off again.
- Calicos good enough for him.
-
I understand...
What you want me to do,
spirit.
I would do it if i could.
Ive not the power, spirit.
Ive not the power.
Isnt there anyone who feels
emotion at this mans death?
Is it good or bad?
Bad.
- We are ruined, then.
- Theres still hope, caroline.
If he relents, there is,
but that would be a miracle.
Hes past relenting.
Hes dead.
But to whom will our debt
be transferred?
I dont know.
Thatll take time.
And by then we will be ready
with the money.
I never thought a death
could bring so much happiness.
No. No.
Show me some tenderness
connected with a death.
The cemetery--
You went today?
Yes, my dear.
Wish you could have been there.
Would have done you good to see
how green a place it is.
Still, youll see it often.
I promised him
id walk there on a sunday.
My little, little child.
M-My little child.
There, tim. There, tim.
Dont be afraid.
Well always love you.
Always.
I met mr. Scrooges nephew fred
in the street today.
He saw i was a little down
and asked what was the matter.
I told him about our boy tim,
and do you know what he said?
What did he say, dear?
"Im heartily sorry for it,
mr. Cratchit,
And heartily sorry
for your good wife."
By the bye,
how he knew that,
i dont know.
Knew what, dear?
That you were a good wife.
Everybody knows that.
Well said, my boy.
Anyway, young fred
gives me his card...
And says, "thats where i live,
bob. Come and visit us."
I was grateful, not for anything
he might do for us,
So much as his kindly ways.
It really seems
as if hes known our tim
and felt for us.
He sounds a good soul.
Youd be sure of it
if you met him, mother.
Im sure well never
forget our tim, will we?
Never. Never.
I know when we remember
how brave and patient he was,
although he was only small,
Well never quarrel
amongst ourselves again
and forget our tim doing it.
Of course we wont, my dear.
Im very happy.
Very happy.
Spirit,
answer me one question.
Are these the shadows
of things that will be...
Or the shadows of things
that may be only?
Mens actions determine
certain ends,
If they persist in them.
But if their actions change,
The ends change too.
Say it is so
with what you show me.
Am i...
The man that lay upon
that bed?
Oh, no, spirit.
Spirit, no, no.
Spirit, hear me.
I-Im not the man i was.
Why show me this
if i am past all hope?
Ah!
Good spirit, pity me!
I will know christmas
in my heart...
And keep it all the year!
The spirits of all three
christmases shall thrive in me!
I will not shut out
the lessons that they teach!
Oh, let me wash away
the writing on this stone!
Gasps ]
My room.
My bed.
Jacob, heaven and christmastime
be praised.
Still here!
Theyre not torn down.
Rings and all!
Theyre here!
Im here!
Shadows of the things
that would have been...
Can be dispelled.
They will be.
I know they will!
I-I dont know
what day it is.
I-I dont know how long...
Ive been among the spirits.
I dont know anything.
No fog, no mist.
Clear, bright, cold.
Brrr! Cold.
Piping for the blood
to dance to.
Hello! Whats today?
Eh?
Whats today,
my fine fellow?
Today?
Why, its christmas day.
Its christmas day?
I havent missed it.
The spirits have done it all
in one night!
Well, they can do anything
they like. Of course they can.
- Uh, hello, my fine fellow!
- Hello.
- Do you know the poulterers
in the next street?
- Of course i do.
Have they sold the prize turkey
hanging in the window?
The big one.
- What, the one as big as me?
- Thats it! Delightful boy.
- Yeah, its still there.
- Good! Go buy it!
Youre joshing.
No, no, no!
Go buy it in my name!
A-And tell them
to bring it straight here.
Come back with the man,
and ill, ill, ill give you
a shilling.
Come back in less than five
minutes, ill give you two!
Ill send it to bob cratchit.
He wont know who its from.
Heres the man,
and heres the turkey.
Now wheres my two shillings?
Oh, thats a turkey!
And here are
your two shillings,
my boy.
Whoops!
Now.
I want you to take this bird
to bob cratchit,
24 camden road,
camden town.
24 camden road?
Wait.
You cant carry that bird...
All the way to camden town!
You must take a cab!
Yes, sir.
Keep the change.
And dont tell cratchit
where it came from.
A cab, sir! A cab!
Yes! Cab! Cab!
Good morning, gentlemen.
How good to see you.
Good morning, madam.
Sir, a beautiful day.
Same to you, sir.
Good morning, my dear.
What a lovely day!
Here you are, my dear.
Fine snowman.
Fine snowman.
Ha, ha, ha!
Got ya.
from satans power
comfort and joy
of comfort and joy
excuse me.
comfort and joy
of comfort and joy
Merry christmas.
Merry christmas.
A merry christmas
to you both.
Merry christmas to you, sir.
fidgety, very reserved
im most awfully shy
in the face, but i blush
dreadfully shy
because im so shy
jittery, quiet unsure
im most dreadfully shy
but i blush
most fearfully shy
dreadfully shy
im so shy
Is your master at home,
my dear?
Yes, sir.
Well, where is he,
my love?
Hes in the dining room
with his guests.
Ill announce.
Thankee.
Thankee.
He knows me.
I know the way,
my dear.
Fred, i-Its, um, i-Its i.
Its your uncle scrooge.
Ive, um-- I-I-Ive come
to dinner.
Will you have me, fred?
Bless my soul!
Have you?
Of course well have you.
And you, my dear.
Can you forgive
a stupid old man...
Who doesnt want to be left out
in the cold anymore?
Will you take me in?
Merry christmas, uncle.
Merry christmas.
Merry christmas.
Will you look at this one?
- Where are we?
- Now.
Now?
Mr. Cratchit,
a word with you.
What do you mean by coming here
at this time of day?
Im very sorry, sir.
Im behind my time.
Oh, yes, you are.
Indeed you are.
Its only once a year, sir.
Its only once a year.
I was making rather
merry yesterday, sir.
Ill tell you what,
my friend.
Im not going to put up
with this any longer.
And therefore,
And therefore,
Im going to raise
your salary, ha!
Merry christmas, bob!
Uh, bob.
A merrier christmas...
Than i have wished you
in many a year.
I-Id like to help
your family,
If youll let me.
I will raise your salary,
and we will discuss your affairs
this afternoon...
Over a christmas bowl
of smoking bishop, bob.
Make up the fires!
And before you dot
another "i," bob cratchit,
Buy another coal-Scuttle.
My uncle was better
than his word.
He did it all
and infinitely more.
And to tiny tim,
who did not die,
He was a second father.
He became as good a friend,
as good a master...
And as good a man
as the good old city knew,
Or any other good old city,
town or borough...
In the good old world.
Some people laughed
to see the alteration in him...
But he let them laugh
and little heeded them.
His own heart laughed,
And that was quite enough
for him.
Come along, tim.
It was always said of scrooge..
That he knew
how to keep christmas well,
If any man alive possessed
the knowledge.
Come, young man.
May that be truly said of us,
and all of us.
And so, as tiny tim observed--
God bless us, everyone.
hath but a short time to live
and is full of misery.
He cometh out
and is cut down like a flower.
I can hardly believe
that mr. Marleys gone.
Hes at peace, mr. Crump.
Hes nowhere, sir.
Truth is, hes dead,
dead as a doornail...
Though i dont know
whats particularly
dead about a doornail.
Come to think of it, i wouldnt
think that a doornail...
Was the deadest piece
of ironmongery in the trade.
Why not say, "dead as a doorknob
or a door knocker"?
Nail, knob or knocker,
jacobs gone, and theres
an end to it.
A mighty poor turnout for such
an important businessman.
Perhaps it was because
of the day he died.
The day he died, sir?
Christmas eve.
It would account for
the lack of grieving relatives.
At least he was spared that
in his final hours.
Great loss, sir.
We leave you
to grieve in silence.
The firm of "scrooge & marley"
will miss your shrewd brain...
And keen eye, jacob.
We went through
some hard times together,
But we pulled through...
And we thrived
on the idleness of others.
Rest content, jacob,
That the firm we built
together will prosper.
I promise.
And a merry christmas and a
happy new year to you too, sir.
Merry christmas, sir.
Merry christmas, sir.
Let me get that, sir.
I was wondering, sir,
if after seven years,
Youd be removing
mr. Marleys name
from the sign outside?
No. Time will erase it
at no cost to us.
Yes, sir.
I was just getting some
coal, sir, for the fire.
Its going out.
Poke, it, sir.
Poke it!
Shhh.
A merry christmas, uncle!
God save you!
Bah! Humbug!
Christmas a humbug, uncle?
You dont mean it.
I do mean it, sir!
Merry christmas?
What reason have you
to be merry?
What right have you
to be merry? Youre poor!
Well, what right have you
to be miserable, then?
Youre rich.
Merry christmas!
Damn your
merry christmas!
Whats christmastime to you
but a time for paying bills
without money?
A time for finding
yourself a year older
and not an hour richer?
A time for balancing
your books...
And finding every item
dead against you?
If i had my way,
every idiot who went around with
"merry christmas" on his lips...
Would be boiled
with his own pudding...
And buried with a stake of holly
through his heart.
Come, uncle--
Nephew, you keep
christmas in your way.
Ill keep it in mine.
But you dont keep it.
Then let me
leave it alone, then.
I still say merry christmas.
Thats all you do say.
Much good it does you.
Much good itll ever do you.
I daresay there are many things
ive got a lot of good from...
Which havent made me a penny
profit, christmas amongst them.
You see, uncle,
ive always thought of christmas
as a time for good, not profit.
A kind, forgiving time.
A time when men and women
can think of others.
Its never put
an extra penny in my pocket,
But i believe
christmas has done me good
and will do me good.
So i still say,
merry christmas, uncle!
- You said something,
mr. Cratchit?
- No, sir.
Another sound
out of you, sir,
And youll make this
a truly merry christmas
by losing your job.
Uncle, dont be hard
on mr. Cratchit.
Its all my fault.
Youre quite the powerful
speaker, sir. A wonder you
dont go into parliament.
Dont be angry, uncle.
Dine with us tomorrow.
Dine with you?
Ill see you damned first!
But why?
Why did you marry?
Because i fell in love.
Because you fell in love.
Love! Humbug!
Oh, so you wont come to see
me because im married.
Yes.
Well, you never came to see
me when i wasnt married.
Good afternoon, nephew.
I want nothing from you.
I ask nothing of you.
Why cant we be friends?
Good afternoon!
Well, im sorry
youre so stubborn.
But i came here
full of the christmas spirit.
So i say again,
merry christmas, uncle.
Good afternoon!
- And a happy new year!
- Good afternoon!
- And a merry christmas
to you, mr. Cratchit.
- Merry christmas, sir.
You find my nephew
amusing, cratchit?
Hes a very pleasant
fellow, sir.
Yeah. Youre another
christmas lunatic like him.
If you say so, sir.
Oh, it seems you doubt me,
mr. Cratchit.
What are you, then?
Your clerk, mr. Scrooge.
My 15-Shilling-A-Week clerk
with a wife and family.
Yet you babble
about merry christmas.
Ill retire to bedlam.
Sir, do you know
this area?
Tolerably well.
Were new to the district.
Were looking for the offices
of scrooge & marley.
Some 50 yards
along on the right.
Good, good. Were collecting
charitable donations
for the poor at clerkenwell.
Youre collecting money
on behalf of a charity from...
mr. Ebenezer scrooge?
Yes, and mr. Marley
and other businessmen
of the neighborhood.
Yes, we think christmas eve
is a most appropriate time
for giving freely.
This is the office
of scrooge & marley?
It is, sir.
May i press
your cudiles, sir.
Do i have the honor
of addressing mr. Scrooge
or mr. Marley?
Mr. Marley has been dead
these seven years.
He-- Huh.
He died seven years ago
this very night.
Mr. Williams and mr. Foster.
May we offer our sympathy?
Why? Youre not
relatives, are you?
No, but we feel sure you must be
thinking about him at this time.
And im sure
his generosity is represented
by his surviving partner.
At this festive time of the year
it is surely desirable...
That we make
some slight provision
for the poor and destitute.
Dont you agree?
I take it
that you gentlemen
are new to the district.
New and eager, sir.
You will agree, im sure,
That many thousands of people
lack the basic necessities,
And many hundreds of thousands
lack ordinary comforts.
- Are there no prisons?
- Plenty of prisons, sir.
And the union workhouses?
Are they still in operation?
Yes, they are. I only wish
i could say they were not.
A few of us are endeavoring
to raise a fund...
To buy the poor some meat
and drink and means of warmth.
How much may we put you
down for, mr. Scrooge?
Nothing.
Ah, you wish
to remain anonymous.
I wish to be left alone.
I dont make merry myself
at christmastime,
And i cant afford
to make idle people merry.
I support those institutions
i have mentioned,
And i expect the poor
to make use of them.
Those who are badly off
must go there.
Many cannot go there,
and many would rather die.
If theyd rather die,
theyd better do it and decrease
the surplus population.
Mr. Cratchit, would you
show these gentlemen out?
their troubled minds
of great joy i bring
this day
Thank you.
Thank you, sir.
Im gonna try scrooges.
Oh, dont do that.
Dont!
looked out
lay roundabout
the moon that night
Its scrooge! Run!
Get away from here!
Youll want all day
tomorrow, i suppose?
If its convenient, sir.
Its not convenient!
Its not fair.
If i was to deduct
half a crown for your
taking the day off,
Youd think yourself
ill-Used.
But you dont think me
ill-Used when i pay a days
wages for no work.
Its only
once a year, sir.
Bah.
Fine excuse for
picking a mans pocket
every 25th of december.
I suppose you must
have the whole day.
You be here all the earlier
the next morning.
Yes, sir. Merry--
You were about to say
something, cratchit?
Nothing, sir.
Jacob!
Jacob marley!
Huh?
Humbug!
Hmm.
Indigestion.
No, i wont believe it.
What business
do you want with me?
Much.
Who are you, sir?
Ask me who i was.
Very well.
Who were you, then?
In life...
i was your partner,
jacob marley.
- Can you sit down?
- I can.
Well, do it, then.
You dont believe in me?
I dont.
Why do you doubt
your senses?
Because little things
upset em.
An upset stomach can put em
quite out of order.
You could be
a crumb of moldy cheese,
an underdone turnip.
Moldy cheese?
An underdone turnip?
Or some british beef.
That could be mighty upsetting
to the stomach.
Theres more gravy than grave
about you, jacob.
Ahhh! Ahh!
What is it?
Speak up, man!
Why do spirits...
Walk the earth,
And why do they
come to me?
It is required
of every man that
the spirit within him...
Should walk abroad
among his fellow men
and travel far and wide.
And if that spirit
goes not forth in life,
It is condemned
to do so after death.
It is doomed to wander
through the world--
Oh, woe is me--
And witness
what it cannot share...
But might have shared on earth
and turned to happiness.
Youre fettered.
Tell me why.
I wear the chain
i forged in life.
I made it link by link
and yard by yard.
It is a ponderous chain.
Do you know
the weight and length
of the coil you bear?
It was as heavy
and as long as this
seven christmas eves ago.
You have labored
on it since.
Jacob. Jacob marley.
Speak comfort to me, jacob!
I have none to give.
I cannot rest.
I cannot stay.
I cannot linger anywhere.
Oh, never to be able to make
amends for missed opportunities
Oh, the torture of remorse.
Jacob, i-- I dont understand
why youre suffering.
All your life
you were a good businessman.
Thats why im suffering.
The suffering i caused others
is being repaid.
Jacob, it was business!
Business?
Mankind was my business.
The common good
was my business.
At this time
of the rolling year...
I suffer most.
Why i can appear to you tonight
in a shape that you can see
i do not know,
But i have sat invisible
beside you many and many a day,
trying to reach you.
Listen to me, ebenezer.
My time on earth is nearly gone.
Im here to warn you
that you have a chance...
Of escaping
my terrible fate.
A chance i got for you.
You were always
a good friend to me.
You will be haunted
by three spirits.
Is this the chance
you spoke of?
It is.
In that case,
id rather not.
Without their visits, youve
no hope of escaping your fate.
Expect the first tomorrow
when the bell tolls 1:00.
Couldnt i take em all at once
and have it over and done with?
Expect the second spirit
on the next night
at the same time...
And the third
the night following at 12:00.
Ugh!
Look to see me no more...
And for your own sake, remember
what has passed between us.
These spirits try to interfere,
For good, in human affairs...
But theyve lost
the power forever.
That is the curse we bear.
Ck chiming ]
A quarter past.
Half past.
A quarter to it.
The hour itself.
Nothings happened.
Are you the spirit
whose coming was foretold?
I am.
Who-- What are you?
Im the ghost of christmas past.
Long past?
No... your past.
Spirit, put on your cap.
Be covered.
What? Would you so soon
put out the light i give?
Is it not enough that
you are one of those whose
passions made this cap...
And forced me to wear it
low upon my brow?
I had no intention
of offending you, sir.
Thankee. What business
brings you here?
Your welfare.
Oh, well,
im much obliged to you.
But a peaceful night
of unbroken rest would have been
more conducive to that end!
Your reclamation, then.
Come with me.
Some other time, perhaps.
I-I-Im not dressed.
I have a weak chest,
a monstrous head cold.
Rise and walk with me.
No, im mortal.
Im liable to fall!
All i have to do
is touch you... there.
Good heavens!
I know this place!
I was a boy here!
You remember the way?
Remember it?
I could walk it blindfold.
I know these boys.
We went to the same school!
Theres jenkins!
And, uh, and tony veck!
And, um... benjamin fish!
And toby bell!
Toby!
Theyre only shadows
of things that have been.
They cant see us
or hear us.
Theyre going home
for the christmas holidays.
Its my old school.
Why didnt you go home
for christmas?
I wasnt wanted.
My father turned against me
when my mother died.
Sent me away.
Didnt want to see me ever.
- Thats hard.
- Life is hard.
Lets see another christmas.
- Fran!
-
Brother! Brother!
Fran! What are you
doing here, fran?
Ive come
to bring you home, brother.
Home! Home, home!
For how long?
Forever and ever.
Fathers changed.
Hes so much kinder
than he used to be.
Home is like heaven now.
He spoke so gently to me
one dear night when
i was going to bed...
That i wasnt afraid
to ask him once more
if you might come home.
And he said
yes, you should...
And sent me in a coach
to bring you.
Oh, fran!
Come on!
Come on!
-
Such a delicate creature,
but she had a large heart.
So she had.
Youre right.
Ill not deny it,
spirit. God forbid!
She died young?
Too young.
Your sister married
and had children?
One child.
True. Your nephew.
Fred... yes.
Do you know this place?
Know it?
I was apprenticed here.
Fezziwig!
Its old fezziwig,
alive again!
Yo-Ho, ebenezer, dick.
Its 7:00!
Dick wilkins!
Why, bless me, there he is.
He was very much
attached to me, was dick.
No more work, boys!
Its christmas eve, dick!
Its christmas, ebenezer!
No more business!
Doors closed,
Shutters up, before you can say
"jack robinson."
Yo-Ho! Yo-Ho!
Quickly! Clear away!
Mind the ledger!
Watch out!
Make more room here
for the dancing.
Hilly-Ho!
Hilly-Ho!
Hilly-Ho, dick!
Hilly-Ho, ebenezer!
Thats right!
Shutters up, boys!
Shutters up! Oh-- Door.
Chirrup! Chirrup!
Were ready, ladies!
- Hold your horses, husband!
- Horses? Horses?
I see no horses, my dear.
Splendid woman,
mrs. Fezziwig.
- Little eli fezziwig.
-
Marigold, daisy
and lily fezziwig.
Ebenezer, ebenezer,
do the trick!
You want the trick,
master eli?
Abracadabra,
one, two...
Three!
- Yea!
- Mrs. Fezziwig, i thought
you were on a diet.
I am, but i need this
to give me the strength
to go on with it.
Tuck in, one and all!
Eat heartily before
mrs. Fezziwig has it all.
And remember, remember,
shes on a diet.
Nice dance!
Oh, ebenezer!
hey!
Your turn, mr. Fezziwig.
Oh, not tonight, mrs. F.
Oh, persuade him,
ebenezer.
Oh, it wouldnt be christmas
without you performing,
mr. Fezziwig.
Oh, very well.
I could always
coax him into it.
her sister and her mother
her sister and her mother
going to marry all of those
and fatheaded cousins
in rows, rows, rows
going to marry all of those
and fatheaded cousins
rows, rows, rows
"The portsmouth polka"!
"Ebenezer, when
happiness shows up,
Always give it
a comfortable seat."
True.
Giving people pleasure
is such a small matter.
He only spent a few pounds--
Three or four, at best.
Is it so much that
he deserves praise for it?
You dont understand,
spirit!
He had the power to make us
happy or unhappy,
To make our work
heavy or light!
Whats the matter?
Nothing.
Looking back...
Perhaps things seemed
better than they really were.
- All this was a lie, then?
- The world changes.
You cant trust anything.
But no,
it was just like this,
Right down to the last
mince pie and dance.
The years change people.
I dont wish to look, sir.
You must.
Theres nothing the world
is so hard on as poverty, belle,
And theres nothing
it professes to condemn...
With such severity
as the pursuit of wealth.
You fear the world
too much.
All your nobler hopes
have merged into the one
hope of being rich.
One master passion
engulfs you-- Money!
What of it?
Even if ive grown wiser,
Ive not changed
towards you, have i?
Our promise to marry
is an old one.
It was made
when we were poor
and content to be so...
Until we improved
our fortunes.
You are changed.
When we promised each other,
you were another man.
I was a boy.
How often and how keenly
ive thought of this
i will not say.
But i have thought of it
and can release you
from your promise.
No! No!
Have i ever asked you
to release me?
In words? No, never.
How, then?
In your changed nature.
In everything
that made me love you.
If this had never been
between us, tell me,
Would you seek me out
and try to win me now?
Ah, no.
You think not?
I know you wouldnt,
my love.
Speak to her!
Why doesnt he speak to her?
If you were free today,
tomorrow, yesterday,
Would you choose
a poor girl like me to marry?
You who weigh everything
by gain?
No. Thered be
no profit in it.
And if you forgot your principl
of profit for a moment
and did marry me,
Youd regret it,
my love, i know.
And so i release you
with a full heart...
For the love of the man
you once were.
May you be happy
in the life youve chosen.
Go after her.
Dont be afraid.
Go after her!
No more.
Show me no more.
Take me home.
Why do you delight
in torturing me?
Haunt me no longer!
Come in.
Come in and know me
better, man!
Have you never seen
anything like this before?
Not in this house.
I am the ghost
of christmas present.
Havent you met with
others of my family?
My older brothers
who preceded me?
I dont think i have, spirit.
Have you had many brothers?
More than 1,800.
Tremendous family
to provide for.
Spirit, take me
where you wish.
Id like to get this
over and done with!
Touch my robe.
Why do you sprinkle water
on the food? Is there
a blessing in it?
There is. My own.
And would that apply
to any meal on this day?
Well, to any kindly given.
To a poor one most of all.
Why to a poor one
most of all?
Because it needs it most.
Where are we going
now, spirit?
Mr. Cratchits house,
every christmas.
My clerk, bob cratchit?
The same bob you pay
15 bob a week.
Every saturday
he pockets just 15 copies
of his christian name,
And yet here i am,
the ghost of christmas present,
going to bless him.
it fair took the bun
to collar our few sticks
to all their tricks
a go at them
minus pants
in an ambulance
besides myself
been having a go
been having a go
been having a go
Let the punch get nice and hot,
belinda. Your father should be
home any minute with tim.
Marthas here!
Martha!
Marthas here!
Marthas here! Hooray!
You should see
the goose, martha.
Its such a goose, martha.
Youll not believe it!
Bless my heart alive, my dear.
Youre late!
We had a great deal
of work to finish off,
So i slept all night
in the workshop, then we had
to clear away this morning.
She sounds a very
hardworking young girl.
She has to be.
Never mind, never mind.
So long as youre here.
You sit yourself
down by the fire and
have yourself a good warm.
- No! Heres father coming!
- Fathers coming!
Hide, martha!
Go on, hide!
-
Go, go, go!
Whoa there, dobbin! Whoa!
Merry christmas!
Merry christmas, father.
And so say all of us.
Come on, tim.
You need a wash.
I didnt know cratchit
had a crippled son.
Why didnt you ask?
Wheres martha?
Shes not coming.
Not coming?
Not coming christmas day?
Martha!
Its martha!
Ohhh.
Of course it is.
Come on, girls.
Lets get the table laid.
How did tim behave?
As good as gold...
and better.
Somehow he gets thoughtful
sitting by himself so much,
And he thinks the strangest
things you ever heard.
He told me, coming home,
He hoped that
people saw him in church
because he was a cripple,
And it might be pleasant for e
to remember on christmas day...
Who made lame beggars walk
and blind men see.
Not many remember that,
you can count on it.
- I think hes
getting better by the day.
- Hes growing stronger, mother.
Everyone go to the table.
The goose,
the goose!
Is it ready?
It should be. Its been cooking
for the past five hours.
There you go, tim.
And heres the gravy.
The goose, the goose, the goose,
The goose, the goose,
the goose, the goose,
The goose, the goose, the goose,
goose, goose, goose, goose!
Its beautiful.
Its not there
to be looked at.
Oh, no, no.
You do the honors, mother.
Its a beauty!
Whered you get it, mother?
The market. I left it late,
so i got it cheap.
Very clever, my dear.
It does smell good,
i must say.
- Its so tender.
- It melts in your mouth.
- I love the gravy.
- Oh, its just sage and onion.
Its a feast, mother.
Only you could have done it.
- What do you think, tim?
- Mmm. Mmm.
- Whats that you say, tim?
- Speak up, tim.
Give the lad a chance.
Mmm. Mmm.
Its the best goose
weve ever had!
Tell me, spirit,
will tiny tim live?
I see an empty chair
by the fireplace...
And a crutch
without an owner,
Carefully preserved.
Unless the future changes,
the child will die.
Wonderful meal, mother.
You done us proud.
The best
is yet to come, robert.
Pudding!
It might not be done yet!
Mother might break it,
turning it out!
Suppose somebody
got over the garden wall...
And stole it when
we were eating the goose!
Dont say that!
They couldnt!
Oh, my goodness!
Look at the flames!
Its great!
And theres the holly.
Pass that to your father.
Well?
Well?
This is, without a doubt,
The greatest success
you have achieved
since we were married.
I had my doubts about it.
I wasnt too sure
about the flour.
Theres nothing wrong
with that pudding...
Except that its very small
for such a large family.
Nobody complained.
Any cratchit would blush
to even hint at such a thing.
Look.
A merry christmas to us all.
My dear, god bless us.
Merry christmas.
God bless us.
God bless us, everyone!
Is there no chance
that boy will be spared?
Not if the future
remains unaltered.
Hmm?
But so what if it happens?
If hes going to die,
Hed better do it quick and
decrease the surplus population.
Man, if you be
a man in your heart,
forbear that wicked cant...
Until youve discovered
what the surplus really is
and where it is.
Will you decide
what men shall live,
what men shall die?
It may be that
in the sight of heaven,
You are more worthless
and less fit to live...
Than millions like
this poor mans child.
Oh, god, to hear
the insect on the leaf...
Pronouncing there
is too much life among his
hungry brothers in the dust.
A toast,
children, to mr. Scrooge,
the founder of the feast.
Did you say scrooge,
founder of the feast?
Well, my dear--
Founder of the feast indeed!
I wish i had him here.
Id give him a piece of my mind
to feast upon, and id hope hed
have a good appetite for it.
My dear children...
its christmas day.
It should be christmas day,
im sure, on which one drinks
the health...
Of such an odious, stingy, hard,
unfeeling man as mr. Scrooge.
You know he is, robert.
Nobody knows it better
than you do, poor fellow.
My dear, christmas day?
Ill drink to his health
for your sake and the days,
not for his.
Long life to him.
Merry christmas
and happy new year.
A nice gesture.
A long life to him.
Merry christmas, mr. Scrooge.
Merry christmas, mr. Scrooge.
Hell be about as merry
as a graveyard on a wet sunday.
Lets forget ebenezer scrooge
and enjoy ourselves.
Give us a song, tim, lad.
He said that christmas
was a humbug! He really did!
It seems
the less uncle scrooge knows,
the more stubbornly he knows it.
The narrower a mans mind,
the broader his statements.
Thats well put, mr. Bennet.
Thank you, my dear.
Do you think he believes it--
About christmas and humbug?
- Oh, yes. He believes it.
- Then, more shame on him, fred.
Thats what i say.
More shame on him.
Oh, well, if you say so,
so do i, miss betsy.
Oh, mr. Haines.
Please, call me topper.
Everyone i like
calls me topper.
Oh, mr. Topper.
My uncles a very comical
old fellow, but ill not say
anything against him.
- Heat the poker, topper.
-
Youre so easygoing, fred.
Why wont you say anything
against uncle scrooge after
the way hes treated you?
- Why wont you, fred?
- Because i think his offenses
carry their own punishment.
I say!
Splendid!
Ive no patience
with the man.
Well, mr. Scrooge
certainly has very few friends.
Hes the most uncivil man
ive ever met, mr. Bennet.
He never says,
"good morning" or "good evening"
or "merry christmas."
He leaves a bad taste
in peoples eyes.
Poor devil! Who suffers from
his ill humor? Only himself.
By not making merry with us, he
loses pleasanter companions than
he can find in his thoughts--
Either in his moldy old office
or his dusty chambers.
Anyway, i mean to keep
the door of happiness open...
And give him a chance
every year to slip in,
whether he likes it or not.
The poker, topper!
Lets look.
Lets see.
Oh, its very hot.
Why, thank you, dear.
Its hot.
Topper,
will you do the honors?
My pleasure. Thanks.
Warm.
Go on.
I dont understand why your
husband defends mr. Scrooge.
Its because
his mother loved scrooge so
when they were children.
And if my mother loved someone,
they mustve had a good heart
in them,
Just as she did.
She gave that heart to you,
my dear. Thats why i love you.
Theyre talking about
your little sister fran,
arent they?
Yes, they are.
I sometimes forget
that fred is frans child.
You shouldnt.
We have to go now.
Its freezing cold there.
Lets play "consequences"
or "cupids coming."
No, no.
"Dumb crambo."
"Blindmans bluff."
Lets play "blindmans bluff."
Really.
Games, spirit. Games.
Its been so long since--
Lets stay a little.
Can you, can you see now?
I cant see a thing,
mrs. Bennet.
Oh!
Hes cheating!
Hes cheating.
Topper haines cheat?
He is cheating.
Topper haines cheat?
Thats an outrage!
Aha!
Ah.
Ah.
Pretty little nose.
Oh, that little mouth.
Mr. Topper!
Its, um--
Betsy.
Oh.
Oh.
Forfeit.
Oh, mr. Topper.
- It must be a kiss.
- A kiss! A kiss! Come on!
Oh.
Bravo, bravo.
Well done.
Now we must go.
Wait, spirit,
i need to hear--
That was my sisters
favorite tune.
Fran.
Yes.
You should have accepted
freds invitation to dine.
What?
For frans sake,
if not for yours.
I should.
We still have much to do.
Youve grown old, spirit.
Are spirits lives so short?
My life on this globe
is very brief. It ends tonight.
- Tonight?
- Tonight at midnight.
The time is drawing near.
Spirit, forgive me, but--
I see something strange
and not belonging to you.
There, beneath your robe.
Is it a foot or... or a claw?
It might be a claw for
all the flesh there is on it.
Look. Look down here.
Spirit, are they yours?
No, they are mans.
This boy is ignorance.
This girl is want.
Beware of both of them,
but most of all beware the boy,
For on his forehead i see
that written which is doom...
Unless the writing
is erased.
If you deny him, slander those
who tell others about him,
Admit he exists
but do nothing about it,
Then doom
will engulf you all!
Are there no shelters?
No charities to help them?
Are there no prisons?
Are there no workhouses?
You are the spirit
of christmas yet to come?
You are about to show me...
The shadows of things
that have not happened,
But will happen
in the time to come.
I fear you more than any
of the spirits i have seen.
Will you not speak?
Lead on.
Lead on, spirit.
The night is waning fast.
It is precious time to me.
I know. Lead on.
Good, good.
So, a new introduction.
Yes.
Ah, spirit,
the stock exchange.
Now i feel at home.
I know these men.
Here profit is worshipped.
Profit is everything.
I cant find out the truth
about old scrooge.
No, i dont know much
about it either.
I only know hes gone.
When?
Just last night, they say.
Well, what was it?
I thought hed never die.
- God knows.
-
What about his money?
- Wholl get it?
- Not me. Thats all i know.
Its likely to be
a very cheap funeral...
wholl be there.
Do you think
we should volunteer?
I dont mind going
if theres a lunch.
I must be fed.
I never eat lunch,
and i never wear black gloves.
So theres not much
in it for me.
But if youre making up
a party--
Lets just say
well think about it.
Yes, well--
T ]
Shh, shh, shh.
I just had
one little beer.
What was you doing
all night?
I never spent that money.
Whats this? An undertaker,
a laundress and a charlady.
And all come at once?
It wasnt planned.
Were here by chance, joe.
Theres no conspiracy.
If i thought there was,
youd be out like a shot.
I cant be too careful.
As it is,
youre welcome.
How goes the day, joe?
Im sure theres no bones
older than mine, mrs. Dilber.
But were all suited
to our calling.
Matched in heaven.
I am a rag-And-Bone man
by trade...
And a rag-And-Bone man
by nature.
But trade is not what it was.
Whyre you looking,
mrs. Dilber?
Everybodys got a right
to take care of themselves.
He always did.
No man more, mrs. Riggs.
If hed wanted to keep em
after he was dead,
wicked old screw,
Why wasnt he more easy-Like
in his life?
If he had been,
hed have had somebody
to look after him...
When he was struck
with death there,
Instead of lying,
gossiping at his last there.
Alone there.
Undo my bundle, joe.
Tell me what the value is.
Now speak plain.
Im not afraid to go first.
We knew pretty well
we was helping ourselves
afore we met.
- Its no sin.
- Only if we get caught.
Ah, no chance of that.
Nobody cared what happened
to him then or now.
Open the bundle, joe.
No, ladies.
Mine first.
Its the smallest.
Oh, meagre pickings,
mr. Crump-- A pencil case,
Two sleeve buttons...
And a brooch of no great value--
Seven shillings?
Done.
Open my bundle, joe.
What are we doing
in this place, spirit?
What, bed curtains?
Bed curtains.
You took em down
with him lying there, cold?
God in heaven.
The rings are still on em.
I did it, and why not?
You was born to make a fortune,
mrs. Riggs.
I dont hold my hand back...
When i can get something in it
by reaching out.
Are they his blankets,
mrs. Riggs?
Who elses?
He aint likely to catch a cold
without them, i daresay.
I hope he didnt die
of anything catching.
Oh, dont be afraid
of that.
I wasnt so fond of his company
that id loiter about for
anything like that, if he did.
Ooh, look at that shirt, joe.
Finest bit of silk youll see
in a month of sundays.
Theyd have wasted it
if it wasnt for me.
What do you mean,
wasted it?
Some fool put it on him
to get buried in.
I soon took it off again.
- Calicos good enough for him.
-
I understand...
What you want me to do,
spirit.
I would do it if i could.
Ive not the power, spirit.
Ive not the power.
Isnt there anyone who feels
emotion at this mans death?
Is it good or bad?
Bad.
- We are ruined, then.
- Theres still hope, caroline.
If he relents, there is,
but that would be a miracle.
Hes past relenting.
Hes dead.
But to whom will our debt
be transferred?
I dont know.
Thatll take time.
And by then we will be ready
with the money.
I never thought a death
could bring so much happiness.
No. No.
Show me some tenderness
connected with a death.
The cemetery--
You went today?
Yes, my dear.
Wish you could have been there.
Would have done you good to see
how green a place it is.
Still, youll see it often.
I promised him
id walk there on a sunday.
My little, little child.
M-My little child.
There, tim. There, tim.
Dont be afraid.
Well always love you.
Always.
I met mr. Scrooges nephew fred
in the street today.
He saw i was a little down
and asked what was the matter.
I told him about our boy tim,
and do you know what he said?
What did he say, dear?
"Im heartily sorry for it,
mr. Cratchit,
And heartily sorry
for your good wife."
By the bye,
how he knew that,
i dont know.
Knew what, dear?
That you were a good wife.
Everybody knows that.
Well said, my boy.
Anyway, young fred
gives me his card...
And says, "thats where i live,
bob. Come and visit us."
I was grateful, not for anything
he might do for us,
So much as his kindly ways.
It really seems
as if hes known our tim
and felt for us.
He sounds a good soul.
Youd be sure of it
if you met him, mother.
Im sure well never
forget our tim, will we?
Never. Never.
I know when we remember
how brave and patient he was,
although he was only small,
Well never quarrel
amongst ourselves again
and forget our tim doing it.
Of course we wont, my dear.
Im very happy.
Very happy.
Spirit,
answer me one question.
Are these the shadows
of things that will be...
Or the shadows of things
that may be only?
Mens actions determine
certain ends,
If they persist in them.
But if their actions change,
The ends change too.
Say it is so
with what you show me.
Am i...
The man that lay upon
that bed?
Oh, no, spirit.
Spirit, no, no.
Spirit, hear me.
I-Im not the man i was.
Why show me this
if i am past all hope?
Ah!
Good spirit, pity me!
I will know christmas
in my heart...
And keep it all the year!
The spirits of all three
christmases shall thrive in me!
I will not shut out
the lessons that they teach!
Oh, let me wash away
the writing on this stone!
Gasps ]
My room.
My bed.
Jacob, heaven and christmastime
be praised.
Still here!
Theyre not torn down.
Rings and all!
Theyre here!
Im here!
Shadows of the things
that would have been...
Can be dispelled.
They will be.
I know they will!
I-I dont know
what day it is.
I-I dont know how long...
Ive been among the spirits.
I dont know anything.
No fog, no mist.
Clear, bright, cold.
Brrr! Cold.
Piping for the blood
to dance to.
Hello! Whats today?
Eh?
Whats today,
my fine fellow?
Today?
Why, its christmas day.
Its christmas day?
I havent missed it.
The spirits have done it all
in one night!
Well, they can do anything
they like. Of course they can.
- Uh, hello, my fine fellow!
- Hello.
- Do you know the poulterers
in the next street?
- Of course i do.
Have they sold the prize turkey
hanging in the window?
The big one.
- What, the one as big as me?
- Thats it! Delightful boy.
- Yeah, its still there.
- Good! Go buy it!
Youre joshing.
No, no, no!
Go buy it in my name!
A-And tell them
to bring it straight here.
Come back with the man,
and ill, ill, ill give you
a shilling.
Come back in less than five
minutes, ill give you two!
Ill send it to bob cratchit.
He wont know who its from.
Heres the man,
and heres the turkey.
Now wheres my two shillings?
Oh, thats a turkey!
And here are
your two shillings,
my boy.
Whoops!
Now.
I want you to take this bird
to bob cratchit,
24 camden road,
camden town.
24 camden road?
Wait.
You cant carry that bird...
All the way to camden town!
You must take a cab!
Yes, sir.
Keep the change.
And dont tell cratchit
where it came from.
A cab, sir! A cab!
Yes! Cab! Cab!
Good morning, gentlemen.
How good to see you.
Good morning, madam.
Sir, a beautiful day.
Same to you, sir.
Good morning, my dear.
What a lovely day!
Here you are, my dear.
Fine snowman.
Fine snowman.
Ha, ha, ha!
Got ya.
from satans power
comfort and joy
of comfort and joy
excuse me.
comfort and joy
of comfort and joy
Merry christmas.
Merry christmas.
A merry christmas
to you both.
Merry christmas to you, sir.
fidgety, very reserved
im most awfully shy
in the face, but i blush
dreadfully shy
because im so shy
jittery, quiet unsure
im most dreadfully shy
but i blush
most fearfully shy
dreadfully shy
im so shy
Is your master at home,
my dear?
Yes, sir.
Well, where is he,
my love?
Hes in the dining room
with his guests.
Ill announce.
Thankee.
Thankee.
He knows me.
I know the way,
my dear.
Fred, i-Its, um, i-Its i.
Its your uncle scrooge.
Ive, um-- I-I-Ive come
to dinner.
Will you have me, fred?
Bless my soul!
Have you?
Of course well have you.
And you, my dear.
Can you forgive
a stupid old man...
Who doesnt want to be left out
in the cold anymore?
Will you take me in?
Merry christmas, uncle.
Merry christmas.
Merry christmas.
Will you look at this one?
- Where are we?
- Now.
Now?
Mr. Cratchit,
a word with you.
What do you mean by coming here
at this time of day?
Im very sorry, sir.
Im behind my time.
Oh, yes, you are.
Indeed you are.
Its only once a year, sir.
Its only once a year.
I was making rather
merry yesterday, sir.
Ill tell you what,
my friend.
Im not going to put up
with this any longer.
And therefore,
And therefore,
Im going to raise
your salary, ha!
Merry christmas, bob!
Uh, bob.
A merrier christmas...
Than i have wished you
in many a year.
I-Id like to help
your family,
If youll let me.
I will raise your salary,
and we will discuss your affairs
this afternoon...
Over a christmas bowl
of smoking bishop, bob.
Make up the fires!
And before you dot
another "i," bob cratchit,
Buy another coal-Scuttle.
My uncle was better
than his word.
He did it all
and infinitely more.
And to tiny tim,
who did not die,
He was a second father.
He became as good a friend,
as good a master...
And as good a man
as the good old city knew,
Or any other good old city,
town or borough...
In the good old world.
Some people laughed
to see the alteration in him...
But he let them laugh
and little heeded them.
His own heart laughed,
And that was quite enough
for him.
Come along, tim.
It was always said of scrooge..
That he knew
how to keep christmas well,
If any man alive possessed
the knowledge.
Come, young man.
May that be truly said of us,
and all of us.
And so, as tiny tim observed--
God bless us, everyone.