A Christmas Carol (1999) - Part 3

As expected, Patrick Stewart dominates the proceedings as Scrooge on the 1999 made-for-TV adaptation of "A Christmas Carol."

But he's not doing a one-man show this time, so he needs a supporting cast. What did he get?

Richard E. Grant plays Bob Cratchit. He looks like you'd expect Bob to look. Not overly well-fed. He's pretty somber in the role. He's appropriately subservient to Scrooge at the office,  but he doesn't crank up the Christmas spirit all that much with his family. This is perhaps more realistic based on the circumstances, but usually Bob is happy despite the circumstances.

Saskia Reeves as Mrs. Cratchit follows suit. She gives a convincing portrayal, but there's an air of doom hanging over them.

Tiny Tim is played by Ben Tibber, who does look smaller and less healthy than most TTs. He's not focused upon here, however, so he doesn't have much to do.

I think Dominic West is a standout as Scrooge's nephew Fred. He really seems to have a lot of Christmas spirit and is convincing when he defends his uncle to his wife and party guests.

I don't feel that Marley's Ghost, as played by Bernard Lloyd, is as successful. He doesn't seem all that scary and Scrooge really isn't afraid of him.

I do think that Joel Grey does a good job as the Ghost of Christmas Past. He kind of fits the description in the book as he looks sort of like an old man, yet sort of like a child. It's an odd thing, but that's the point.

The Ghost of Christmas Present is played by Desmond Barrit and he's not quite as jovial as might be expected. This whole production is kind of grim. Also, I think this ghost looks tired, even when he first appears.

An interesting note with the cast is that Liz Smith, who plays Mrs. Dilber here, also played Mrs. Dilber in the 1984 TV movie with George C. Scott! I think this time they got it right and she's the laundress, not the charwoman, but who can tell anymore?

Now that the cast is assembled  what were they given to do?