A Tale of Two Cities

1958
PG
1h 57m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Dirk Bogarde in A Tale of Two Cities (1958)

During the turbulent days of the French Revolution, Frenchwoman Lucie Manette falls in love with Englishman Charles Darnay, who's hiding his true identity and purpose.During the turbulent days of the French Revolution, Frenchwoman Lucie Manette falls in love with Englishman Charles Darnay, who's hiding his true identity and purpose.During the turbulent days of the French Revolution, Frenchwoman Lucie Manette falls in love with Englishman Charles Darnay, who's hiding his true identity and purpose.

Director
- Ralph Thomas
Writers
- Charles Dickens
- T.E.B. Clarke
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

1.7K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Ralph Thomas
Writers
- Charles Dickens
- T.E.B. Clarke
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos36

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The production company used thousands of American soldiers as extras. They were posted at nearby military facilities in Orleans, France. This movie was shot in the Loire Valley in France.

Goofs
During the final scenes of the tumbrels rolling to the guillotine, the people in the tumbrel appear to switch sides. First, they are on the right, then on the left, then on the right again.

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

Crazy credits
Opening credits: All characters and events in this film are fictitious. Any similarity to actual events or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Connections
Featured in The World According to Smith & Jones: The Napoleonic Wars (1987)

User reviews27

Featured review

10/10

Marvellous movie of one of the great books

This is my favourite Dickens book and my favourite Dickens dramatisation. I remember reading that there had been some doubts originally whether Dirk Bogarde matinée idol could manage this part. Instead it was presumably his first chance to show the inimitable quality of his acting. He is perfect in this part and I cannot imagine anyone else ever doing it better although I'd guess Ronald Coleman could equal it. I've seen one other, more recent version and although Carton's actor had a good go at it, it totally lacked the amazing charisma Bogarde provided for what is one of Dickens' most poignant characters - flawed, fascinating, cynical, damaged but wonderful.

It's a crying shame this wasn't filmed in colour since the producers did consider doing so and then didn't. But the production and acting are so excellent that you soon don't notice it isn't colour as you become completely immersed in the movie. I suppose it's always possible the lack of colour actually enhances the drama, and for me this story is the most dramatic and poignant of all Dickens - a work of pure genius.