Christmas Carol

In just one night,

He's seen his past, his present and his future...

And they've all come back to haunt him.

Charles Dickens' timeless classic, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, is a story about hope, holiday cheer and the uplifting power of spirit.

It is Christmas Eve 1843, and Ebenezer Scrooge (Patrick Stewart) has just buried his longtime friend and business partner, Jacob Marley. Understandably, Scrooge is in a melancholy mood as he returns to work. Seven years later, Scrooge's bad mood has become a perpetual state of mind. His loyal, but meek clerk, Bob Cratchit (RICHARD E. GRANT), is the constant target of Scrooge's cruelty and bitterness. Scrooge's nephew, Fred Bowley, spreads Christmas cheer, but all his uncle can say is "Bah! Humbug!"

Scrooge finds himself alone in his office on Christmas Eve. He hears the rattling of chains and sees before him, the ghost of Jacob Marley. Marley warns Scrooge that the suffering he causes others, he will have to repay-even in death, and warns him that there's only one chance to escape that fate. He also informs Scrooge that three spirits will visit him and he is to obey them in order to redeem himself.

The Ghost of Christmas Past (JOEL GREY) arrives and takes Scrooge back to his childhood. Revisiting his past, it allows Scrooge to confront his feelings of abandonment by his father; to experience how carefree his youth really was; and to realize the mistake he made by placing his love of money above his love for a beautiful young woman named Belle.

Soon after, The Ghost of Christmas Present appears and takes Scrooge to witness the Cratchit family having a meager, but grateful Christmas dinner. Scrooge is surprised to learn that the Cratchit's youngest son, Tiny Tim, is crippled and will most likely die soon. The Ghost of Christmas Present continues its journey, proving to Scrooge that kind words and deeds can truly help wash away all the sadness in the world.

As quickly as the second spirit departs, the Spirit of Christmas Yet To Come appears, leading Scrooge to a bleak vision of his future. Scrooge revisits the Cratchit family and discovers that Tiny Tim has died. Scrooge tries to hide his concern, but he is clearly heartbroken. Even worse, Scrooge witnesses a vision of himself dead, and sadly realizes that he has no friends or relatives to mourn him. Pleading with the spirit to give him another chance, Scrooge promises to alter his life and to know Christmas in his heart all year round.

On Christmas Day, Scrooge awakens in his bed and is thrilled to be alive. He spends the holiday with his nephew, Fred, and makes amends by giving Cratchit a raise. Scrooge assumes the role of second father to a healthier Tiny Tim, who embraces the changed man, exclaiming "God Bless Us, Every One!"