- Actors: Dirk Bogarde, Dorothy Tutin, Cecil Parker, Stephen Murray, Athene Seyler
- Directors: Ralph Thomas
- Writers: Charles Dickens, T.E.B. Clarke
- Producers: Betty E. Box, Earl St. John
- Format: VHS
- Classification: U
- Studio: Carlton
- VHS Release Date: 26 Jan 2000
- Run Time: 117 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CK4R
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,435 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Video Description
Dirk Bogarde is the quintessential Sydney Carton and Dorothy Tutin portrays Lucie Manette in Ralph Thomas’s adaptation of A Tale Of Two Cities. The director, Ralph Thomas was one the best known British film-makers of the 1950s and 1960s. His films, almost invariably made for the Rank Organisation, included the series of Doctor comedies as well as popular adaptations such as The 39 Steps with Kenneth More. Ralph trained at Sound City, later Shepperton Studios where having worked his way up from the bottom mastered camera, sound and editing and worked as an assistant to David Lean before World War II.
Based on Charles Dickens’ epic novel, this critically acclaimed film version was adapted for the screen by T.E.B. Clarke. A tale of great sacrifices being made for the sake of principle, Dickens’ original novel is notable for its vivid representation of France during the French Revolution. Sidney Carton (Bogarde) a disillusioned, heavy drinking London lawyer defends a young French aristocrat Charles Darnay (Paul Guer) when the informant Barsad (Donald Pleasence) accuses him of spying. Carton finds himself falling in love with Darnay’s fiancée Lucie Manette (Tutin) and, although he confesses his love to her, they agree to keep it secret. When Darnay returns to France, in the grip of revolutionary terror, he is imprisoned by a mob led by Madame Defarge (Rosalie Crutchley) on the orders of his corrupt uncle (Christopher Lee). Hearing Lucie’s pleas for help, Carton seizes the opportunity for action and, ultimately, redemption.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Although not quite in the same league as the lavish MGM 1936 version starring Ronald Colman, Rank achieved a notable success with this despite critics misgivings upon its initial release. Dirk Bogarde plays an alcoholic lawyer who sacrifices his life on the guillotine to save the husband of a woman he loves (the beautiful Dorothy Tutin). Overall, it was a fine effort, many of the actors being household names. Even Alfie Bass has a part in this!! The video version is quite watchable, a fine print and decent sound. Not sure what the DVD version is like though, but it deserves the full treatment. If you like the good old British movies of the 1950s, you will love this.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Nicely done version high on atmosphere set in an authentic looking period location. We see the terrible poverty endured by the masses, the sumptuous luxury enjoyed by the elite classes, and the feeling of righteous revolution is palpable. Bogarde's well cast as the slightly decadent English lawyer determined to do something really noble in his life before he goes, and the film nicely portrays the seething class hatred on both sides, but especially highlights the vindictiveness and lust for revenge from the main agitators of the revolution. A decent enough version which could have done with being a little more engaging in its narrative, but generally a satisfying tale retold.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
An accurate adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel. Set in London and Paris, Dickens' classic tells the tale of a man who gives the ultimate sacrifice so as to ensure the happiness of the woman he loves. With the tragic French Revolution as its background, the film does not only cover historic and cultural issues but also moving moral issues and of course, love. An extremely well-made British production and with Bogarde playing an exquisite Sydney Carton, who can possibly resist?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
very well done
wonderful to see the amazing english cast of super actors-
good feel for the time
i learnt alot about the emotional state that caused the revolution
good feel for the time
i learnt alot about the emotional state that caused the revolution
Published 17 days ago by lassie
Magnifique!
I am not going to come back to what a lot of people have already said here. This film is a true epic masterpiece with drama, mystery, passion and a fantastic and rarely tackled... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Autonome
Tale of two Cities
Thank you so much my husband is very please with the dvd .Been wanted to get it for some time .but never got round to it .Thanks again
Published 3 months ago by helly
Warm Sunday Afternoon
This film reminds me of the days before central heating, When it was too cold to go out side and play. Instead being huddled round the coal fire waiting for Sunday Dinner. Read more
Published 3 months ago by dexter luminol
Perfect
This superbly made and acted film is the best version of Dickens' classic I have ever seen.
Dirk Bogarde was never so anguished or so beautiful.
Dirk Bogarde was never so anguished or so beautiful.
Published 3 months ago by Tallulah
Not what I was expecting
From the picture on the dvd case it looks as if the film is in colour.
I was so surprised that it is black and white and I think that the dvd case is misleading. Read more
I was so surprised that it is black and white and I think that the dvd case is misleading. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Carol Siddall
A Tale of Two Cities.
This is the second time that I have watched the film. I wanted to watch it to remember the French revolution and what the peasants did to the rich! Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2010 by Carol
Fabulous
Fantastic to have re-watched it, probably the best adaptation of the phenomenal novel by Charles Dickens.
Published on 23 Feb 2009 by Ms. C. G. Macovei
A Great British Adaptation!
Great British adaptation of this wonderful story based on the Charles Dickens novel of the same name.
Dirk Bogarde stars as the wonderful (and ever so dashing! Read more
Dirk Bogarde stars as the wonderful (and ever so dashing! Read more
Published on 17 Sep 2008 by FAMOUS NAME
a good film to watch, but with that certain thing missing
i bought this film because i read the book and felt that it was stunning. after seeing the film i was very satisfied, but i felt it missed that special factor, for instance in the... Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2005 by Mr. R. A. Fripp
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