The origins of A Christmas Carol

Michael Slater explains the background to Charles Dickens's novel, A Christmas Carol, reveals his reasons for writing it and discusses its monumental success. Filmed at the Charles Dickens Museum, London.

[AndrewEllisAndymanout]

Once a drunkard and today over a decade sober, I find the Christmas Carol a strikingly poinient tale of redemption. I intentionally resist watching it except at the end of June and repeatedly between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is a singular work. I am grateful for it.

God bless and may you have a love filled Christmas.

[marwood]

My dear Grandfather would read this every Christmas and now I do the same. We all know it so well, that it's easy to overlook just how brilliant it is. It's a beautiful story and strikes at my heart every time I read it.

[wishgodgirl]

Best Christmas story ever. I watch as many versions as I can around the holidays. People don’t realize how many movies were made of this wonderful tale…

[dawnadriennetaylor]

What an absolutely wonderful video to find! Professor Michael Slater was my beloved and esteemed English master at Birkbeck. I shared with him that my Father was encouraged by his librarian, having already read Mrs Craik's "John Halifax, Gentleman" three times by age 6, to try Dickens. He never looked back and I still have that same volume, amongst others. My Father painted a card with Dickensian characters and quotes for me to present to Professor Slater at his leaving party. I received a wonderful letter of thanks from him.

[vintagebrew]

Mr Dickens was involved with many charitable endeavors here in the East End of London. He really was a wonderful person and great author!

[trojanette]

Best discussion, history and analysis of this story I have ever seen. Thank You British Library.

[anitarichmond]

A Christmas Carol is an inspired piece of literature. A Masterwork, which no Library is complete without no less than a cautionary tale reminding the reader to have a care for what you do is as indelible as a name on a tombstone. Wishing you and yours The Season's best and may all God bless 🎄

[swagotoroy]

One of the greatest books of Dickens - shows how we all can change for the better.

[jemj.]

This person speaks in such a magical way ✨❤️

[mikewolf]

Dickens A Christmas Carol is his shortest work with the BIGGEST Impact of all his writings. Since 1843, the year he wrote A Christmas carol generations have enjoyed the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge's transformation from miser to repentant in one Christmas eve night. The idea of this story of the Ghost's of Christmas Past, Present and Future showing Scrooge his life in these 3 time frames truly is a masterpiece of literature as Dickens wanted to portray how London was at the time, cold, dirty and difficult for the common man. Over the past 176 years this timeless classic has brought great joy to the masses and I think it is safe to say 176 years from now people will still be reading and watching this story as it is as timeless as Christmas itself and as Tiny Tim said, "God Bless Us, Everyone."

[gusthegrinch]

Every year I read and or listen to an audiobook of A Christmas Carol. It never ceases to make me cry. There is always hope that mankind can change, that I can change, but then we all go to the polls and prove that we are Scrooge unredeemed.

[williamcornette]

Dickens was always one of my favorite authors, even as a child. The last thing any employer wants is to be compared in the press or on social media, to Scrooge. Keeps them from getting too arrogant! Can't get thru any of the movies without crying. Good for the soul!

[kennethlapointesongwriter]

One of those great creations that has a never-ending impact on the human experience, human existence. To me the biggest impact of it is what I call the Transformation...where the most pitiable, wretched, noxious example of a person CAN AND DOES completely change to a wonderful, kind, generous, helping soul. People sometimes have to be led by the hand to see something, to be shown something, and as long as it's believable, they too get the idea they can change for the better, and in fact immensely. Thanks you Mr. Dickens!

[s--d]

we have to watch this as English homework whilst in quarantines

[goodlife]

That was fascinating. I wasn't aware of its origins and this brief documentary told the story exceptionally well.

[yelloworangered]

Missed the initial moment. When the dead partner appears, it is not the chains that he drags forever that is the punishment. It is the inability to help others. Outside the window, we are shown many spirits wailing over the suffering persons whom they could they could have helped in life. This tells us the whole of Scrooge's escape. His partner moves back into his eternal punishment and is forgotten by the world that he never loved.

[alexandrucazacu]

Am i the only one who uses this for Homework?

[robinj.]

I enjoy reading this out loud.
For my whole family to enjoy!

[chipperchops]

I love his work. Perhaps we all need to feel like children again? I always picture Christmas as a time of giving, loving and caring. It also has a message that isn't just one day we should be like this always if we can afford to. Money is nothing without health and love. We are so consumed with greed it really saddens me. whatever our religion, we should always love one another, we are humans and some forget that sometimes. However, ty for a wonderful documentary.

[healinggrounds]

I am so excited to be directing "A Christmas Carol " for the third time in my directing career. It is one of my favorite stories.❤❤❤❤