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The Man Who Invented Christmas

Play trailer 2:21 Poster for The Man Who Invented Christmas PG Released Nov 22, 2017 1h 44m Holiday History Drama Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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The Man Who Invented Christmas

The Man Who Invented Christmas

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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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Critics Reviews

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Wenlei Ma News.com.au 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. Rated: 3/5 Dec 7, 2017 Full Review Dan Jolin Empire Magazine A lightweight, tinselly film with some nice touches and appealing performances, though it never lands its darker moments. Rated: 3/5 Dec 3, 2017 Full Review Simran Hans Observer (UK) 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. Rated: 1/5 Dec 3, 2017 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A warm PG-rated feature for families with older kids who won't grow restless with its adult preoccupations and leisurely pace. Rated: 3/4 Aug 31, 2021 Full Review Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site The simplistic, unnecessarily slight film makes only insubstantial, passing references to poverty among children-a major issue then as it is today. Feb 21, 2021 Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse A festive film, a movie for the holidays that reminds us of the spirit of the season. No "Bah! Humbugs" here. Rated: 3.5/5 Feb 3, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Patrick 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/13/22 Full Review Steven K Very enjoyable and captivating. Did not see a single flaw with this film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/22/24 Full Review Cody H This film was an interesting view on the visual world of Charles Dickens. But somehow you wish it was more. Maybe there is missing character development or things rush too quickly, but it still has this kind of magic inside. I think by far that this Scrooge is one of the best Scrooges I have ever seen and it is sad he wasn’t in any Christmas Carol films I know of. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/19/24 Full Review David K I came to this film via a recommendation of Gary Jive who spent a year watching Christmas movies and writes about it in his blog 365 Days of Christmas Movies. It's a fun watch of an imagined development of the book "A Christmas Carol". If you're looking for something out of the mainstream of Christmas movies and the Hallmark schlock, this might be it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/03/24 Full Review Micah H Unlike many modern Christmas movies, the Man Who Invented Christmas tells a gripping, yet family friendly, story in a creative, dramatic way. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/02/24 Full Review Mark J Not bad, a nice way to tell a story which has been told many times. Although some complexity to Charles Dickens you can tell this is still him in a favourable light to make sure this stays a relatively happy Christmas film. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/26/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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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