Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > A Tale of Two Cities (1935)
A Tale of Two Cities
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

A Tale of Two Cities (1935) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 10 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   1,935 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Jack Conway
more
Writers:
Charles Dickens (novel)
W.P. Lipscomb (writer) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for A Tale of Two Cities on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 December 1935 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
The most dramatic love story in the history of literature! more
Plot:
An elaborate adaptation of Dickens' classic tale of the French Revolution. Dissipated lawyer Sydney... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. more
NewsDesk:
Bergen, Allen And More To Star In A Tale Of Two Cities
 (From BroadwayWorld.com. 18 February 2009, 2:42 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Faithful screen version of the classic Dickens tale... more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Charles Dickens' 'A Tale of Two Cities' (USA) (complete title)
more
Runtime:
128 min | USA:121 min (video version)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Certification:
USA:Approved

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Actor Ronald Colman agreed to play the role of Sydney Carton with the sole condition that he not also be required to play the role of Charles Darnay, as was usually expected in adaptations of the Dickens novel. The plot of 'A Tale of Two Cities' turns on the physical resemblance between the two characters. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: Sydney Carton attends Christmas Eve services ca. 1780 during which "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" is sung to music by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), and John Francis Wade's Latin hymn, "Adeste fideles," is sung in Frederick Oakley's (1802-1880) translation as "O Come, All Ye Faithful." more
Quotes:
Miss Pross: Mr. Carton, the infant has expressed a desire to say good night to you.
Sydney Carton: The infant's desire shall be gratified immediately, Prossy.
[he goes]
Jarvis Lorry Jr.: I suppose it's none of my business, but I wouldn't allow that fellow to handle a child of mine.
Miss Pross: As to that, you haven't got one... and from the looks of you, you're not likely to have one.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Val Lewton: The Man in the Shadows (2007) more
Soundtrack:
Prelude No. 7 more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
19 out of 19 people found the following comment useful:-
Faithful screen version of the classic Dickens tale..., 16 October 2002
Author: Neil Doyle from U.S.A.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES contains enough material for a four hour movie but amazingly David O. Selznick's production has managed to tell the epic tale in just a little over two hours. While there are many memorable characters, the ones that stay in the memory longest are Ronald Colman as Sydney Carton and the little seamstress (Isabel Jewell) who gets her courage from him before they go off to the guillotine and he utters those immortal words, "It's a far, far better thing I do..."

Edna May Oliver is just one of the pleasures among the supporting players. Donald Woods makes a handsome, if somewhat subdued, Charles Darnay and Blanche Yurka does an outstanding job as the bitter Madame Defarge. Basil Rathbone is excellent as the aristocratic Marquis St. Evremonde who is annoyed when his horse-driven carriage runs amok and kills a child, setting in motion the bitter Evremonde legacy of hate and mistrust among the French peasants.

The storming of the Bastille is awesome in its detail, as is all of the set decoration for interiors and exteriors which really captures the atmosphere of this turbulent time in history.

Probably Ronald Colman's finest hour--his world weary Sydney Carton becomes a highly sympathetic character by the time he is ready to assume another man's place. A memorable film.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for A Tale of Two Cities (1935)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
dvd toonnnnn
Lucille LaVerne and Disney's Wicked Queen philboleyn-1
What Happens to Miss Pross? santol321
Sydney Carton's Last Lines BlondeVixen
Jill Santoriello's ToTC musical... writergurlkristin-1
is it time? madaboo
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Napoléon A Tale of Two Cities A Tale of Two Cities Les misérables The Scarlet Pimpernel
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.