The Man Who Invented Christmas

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2:21

The Man Who Invented Christmas

PG

2017

1h 44m

Holiday

History

Drama

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

170 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

In 1843 London, author Charles Dickens finds himself in financial trouble after writing three unsuccessful novels in a row. Desperate for a hit, Dickens relies on real-life inspiration and his vivid imagination to bring Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters to life in A Christmas Carol, forever changing the holiday season into the celebration known today.

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Critics Consensus

The Man Who Invented Christmas adds holiday magic to the writing of A Christmas Carol, putting a sweetly revisionist spin on the story behind a classic yuletide tale.

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Wenlei Ma

News.com.au

12/07/2017

3/5

The Man Who Invented Christmas isn't a barnstormer but it's exactly the kind of holiday fare that will cure a bout of humbugness. Bring the family.

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Dan Jolin

Empire Magazine

12/03/2017

3/5

A lightweight, tinselly film with some nice touches and appealing performances, though it never lands its darker moments.

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Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

12/03/2017

1/5

There are a few bright spots, like Christopher Plummer's Scrooge, but with its too-bright visuals and laboured dialogue, at best, the film belongs on television.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

08/31/2021

3/4

A warm PG-rated feature for families with older kids who won't grow restless with its adult preoccupations and leisurely pace.

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Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

02/21/2021

The simplistic, unnecessarily slight film makes only insubstantial, passing references to poverty among children-a major issue then as it is today.

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

02/03/2021

3.5/5

A festive film, a movie for the holidays that reminds us of the spirit of the season. No "Bah! Humbugs" here.

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12/13/2022

I’m so glad this was brought back to the big screen for Christmas ‘22! I missed its original run in 2017 and had forgotten all about it. A compelling film based on a true story, and it was such a heartwarming tale.

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Jonathan K

@aFIREintheattic Jan 4

I wanted more. I like the idea of telling this meta story, and even the attempt of weaving Charles Dickens' own trauma, mental health, bipolar nature, and obsessive work habits into where some of the ideas for A Christmas Carol came from. Even if it's a fabrication, and those parallels are harder to make in reality, it could make for a good story. I like what they were trying to do, and some parts start to click a little more about an hour in. But I don't think it's very expertly guided or handled, both from a directorial perspective and an acting one. I think part of it is that Dan Stevens is just not my cup of tea. I've watched him in a lot of things, and his acting works better in something like FX's Legion with its weird, quirky, artsy arrangement... but not so much here. Even playing an eccentric character, I don't find him compelling or particularly skillful. As a result, it's hard to... [continued on letterboxd]

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Semaii M

@semaii Jan 3

Boring movie, nothing about this movie makes any sense😭

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Logan D

Dec 30

Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) promises to compose a new novel in a few weeks. Now he just needs an idea. A light-hearted recounting of the composition of A Christmas Carol. The film avoids the discomfort that was present in Dickens' life and does take a lot of liberties. Stevens gives a theatrical performance and Christopher Plummer as Scrooge provides gravitas.

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Katerina M

@Katkatkat Dec 28

Magnificent movie. Funny, witty, great plot. I loved it even more the second time I watched it.

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Scott F

@Fergfamm Dec 28

If you love "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, you’ll really enjoy this movie. It’s very well done. While I’m not sure how historically accurate it is, it’s absolutely worth watching and makes for a warm, uplifting Christmas film.

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Bharat Nalluri

Director

Dan Stevens

Charles Dickens

Christopher Plummer

Ebenezer Scrooge

Jonathan Pryce

John Dickens

Justin Edwards

John Forster

Morfydd Clark

Kate Dickens

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The Man Who Invented Christmas: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In 1843 London, author Charles Dickens finds himself in financial trouble after writing three unsuccessful novels in a row. Desperate for a hit, Dickens relies on real-life inspiration and his vivid imagination to bring Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters to life in A Christmas Carol, forever changing the holiday season into the celebration known today.

Director: Bharat Nalluri
Producer: Robert Mickelson, Ian Sharples, Susan Mullen, Niv Fichman, Vadim Jean
Screenwriter: Susan Coyne
Distributor: Bleecker Street Media
Production Co: Parallel Films, Ingenious Media, Rhombus Media
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Some Mild Language)
Genre: Holiday, History, Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 22, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 13, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.7M
Runtime: 1h 44m

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