A Tale of Two Cities (1980)

An ex-aristocrat from France and an alcoholic English lawyer find themselves crossing paths and in love with the same woman during the French Revolution.

Director:

Jim Goddard

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel), John Gay

Stars:

Chris Sarandon, Peter Cushing, Kenneth More

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Sarandon	...	Sydney Carton / Charles Darnay
Peter Cushing	...	Dr. Alexander Manette
Kenneth More	...	Dr. Jarvis Lorry
Barry Morse	...	St. Evremonde
Flora Robson	...	Miss Pross
Billie Whitelaw	...	Madame Therese Defarge
Alice Krige	...	Lucie Manette
Nigel Hawthorne	...	Mr. CJ Stryver
Norman Jones	...	Monsieur Ernest Defarge
George Innes	...	Jeremiah 'Jerry' Cruncher
David Suchet	...	John Barsad
Bernard Hug	...	Gaspard
Valérie de Tilbourg	...	Seamstress (as Valerie de Tilburg)
Robert Urquhart	...	Attorney General
Anna Manahan	...	The Vengeance

Storyline

Dissolute barrister Sydney Carton becomes enchanted and then hopelessly in love with the beautiful Lucie Manette. But Lucie loves and marries Charles Darnay, and remains oblivious to Carton's undimmed devotion to her. When Darnay is ensnared in the deadly web of the French Revolution and condemned to die by the guillotine, Sydney Carton concocts a dangerous plot to free the husband of the woman he loves.

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Plot Keywords:

stabbed to death | revenge | vengeance | nobleman | alcoholic | 

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Taglines:

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. A time of blinding vengeance. Of soaring passions. Of private honor and public executions. A time when one man's love for a woman was so great, war itself couldn't quench it!

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 December 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: A Tale of Two Cities (#30.1)

Filming Locations:

Château de Vincennes, Vincennes, Val-de-Marne, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Marble Arch Productions, Norman Rosemont Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

162 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Debut movie of David Suchet (John Barsad).

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Quotes

Sydney Carton: It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.

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Connections

Version of A Tale of Two Cities: In Concert (2009)

User Reviews

A very decent version

A Tale of Two Cities is a wonderful book, ranking Dickens' works it's to me towards the top. It is wordy with a very complicated story, but it is also very compelling and the characters especially Sydney Carton and Madame Dufarge are memorable. This 1980 version is not the best(the 1935 film) or worst(the animated Burbank Films Australia version) of the book, but adaptation-wise and on its own it's very decent. It is hampered by Chris Sarandon's stiff and emotionally cold Charles Darnay, a rather cheap, under-populated and lacking-in-suspense-and-urgency storming of Bastille scene and the on-the-saccharine-side romantic theme in the music score. The adaptation could also have done a better job at differentiating between Charles and Sydney, visually especially with the hair they are never quite distinctive enough. But the production values are generally quite decent, it does at least make an effort to be true to Dickens and the historical period it's based in and they have good colour and atmosphere if lacking somewhat in refinement. The music serves the adaptation well, while the script is intelligently adapted and does nobly with conveying Sydney's sardonic humour, the heartfelt tragedy at the end and the dark, foreboding humanity. The story is faithful in spirit to the book, though there are things inevitably missed out, and doesn't feel too confused. It's solidly paced too. With individual scenes the standout has to be the ending which is extraordinarily moving, though the final forty minutes generally is very suspenseful. The acting is fine on the whole. While Sarandon disappoints(to me at least) as Charles he is outstanding as Sydney- that Sydney is a far more interesting character helps-, he is humorous and sardonic while also poignant and dignified. Alice Krige is an emotive and beautiful Lucie, Flora Robson's Miss Pross is regal and loyal and Barry Morse is rightfully hissable as Evremonde. Billie Whitelaw is fine as a very snake-like Madame DuFarge, David Suchet characterises the conflicted character of Basard brilliantly and beautifully, Peter Cushing is perfect as Dr Manette and Kenneth More is more than competent too. George Innes does a very good job too as Cruncher, very sly and funny, but the character could have been more prominent. In conclusion, decent version, worth watching but for the best adaptation look to the 1935 film. 7/10 Bethany Cox