Awesome / A Christmas Carol (1984)

• Frank Finlay's performance as Jacob Marley is considered one of the best versions onscreen, alternately terrifying, tormented, and deeply remorseful.
• The sets, music, and special effects are very high-quality for a TV movie, particularly the future scenes.
• This exchange:
  Ebenezer Scrooge: Tell me, Spirit. Will [Tiny Tim] live?
  Ghost of Christmas Present: I see a vacant place at this table. I see a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved. If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, the child will die.
  Ebenezer Scrooge: No. Say he'll be spared.
  Ghost of Christmas Present: If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, none other of my species will find him here. But if he is to die, then let him die. And decrease the surplus population.
  Ebenezer Scrooge: You use my own words against me?
  Ghost of Christmas Present: Yes. So perhaps, in the future, you will hold your tongue until you have discovered what the surplus population is and where it is. It may well be that in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man's child!
• On realisation of the time he has left to make amends, Scrooge's jubilation, as he staggers around, jumps on his bed, laughs and bellows with joy.
  Scrooge: Oh, my, my, my! I must dress myself! So much to do! I don't want to lose any time! [kicks off slippers and laughs] I'm as light... as a feather! [twirls dressing gown onto bed] I'm as happy as an angel! [jumps headfirst onto bed] I'M AS MERRY AS A SCHOOLBOY! [stands on bed] Ooh - ooh, oh... I'm as giddy as a drunken man. [laughs exultantly] Merry Christmas to everybody! AND A HAPPY... NEW YEAR... TO THE WORLD!

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