Customer Reviews

A Tale of Two Cities [VHS]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This film version of A Tale of Two Cities is a masterpiece -- it faithful adapts Dickens' classic novel while holding out as a worthwhile movie in its own right through incredible performances from its lead actors. The plot of the novel has not been touched -- in filming Dickens' most tightly-plotted novel, a good decision. The acting is uncommonly good. Sydney Carton is fabulously done; James Wilby is to be commended for a wonderful and nuanced performance. I also found Madame Defarge particularly well-done; the actress playing her is SCARY! Considering Mme. Defarge's character in the book, I think her almost insane bitterness and sharp purpose is well-portrayed.

A couple of unique things about this film include its use of French actors to play French characters and British actors to play British characters. No contrived accents, and people actually look their nationality -- both important in such a highly political story. I also strongly support the decision to have Carton and Darnay played by different people; yes, they're supposed to look alike, but not identical. And having different actors play them facilitates the portrayal of their very contrasted characters.

I am admittedly coming from the perspective of one who read and loved the book years before seeing the movie; I can't judge what this film would be like to someone who has never read the novel. But I found it an accurate and sensitive adaptation of the book I know and love, and I imagine that the beauty of the story would appeal just as easily to someone experiencing the story for the first time.

Never have the noble humanities and horrible dehumanization been revealed to such extremes as in Dickens' "A Tale Of Two Cities". Just exactly to what extreme the human hatred could go, just exactly to what extreme the human love could go, and just exactly to what extreme the human sacrifice could go, you will get answers from this novel.

It tells ineffably touching stories of love and sacrifice, striking stories of hatred and revenge, in the turmoil of French Revolution. This was the time that hunger would drive poor people to sip the wine spilled on the street stones, this was the time that an innocent man (Dr. Manette, Lucie's father) was imprisoned in the Bastille for eighteen years not for any crimes but for saving people's lives, this was the time that conscience made a noble person (Charles Darnay) to relinquish his aristocratic title and pursue life of simplicity and dignity, this was the time that a gentleman (Charles Darnay) would take the risk his own life to save the life of his servant, and this was the time that a young man (Sydney Carton) would take another man's place on the guillotine and realize his promise to his beloved (Lucie), to whom he treasured as "the last dream of my soul"......

This Masterpiece Theatre miniseries did a fairly good job in crafting the stories, although less successfully in bringing out the grandeur of the Revolution. But thanks to the wonderful actors and actresses, their brilliant acting has, to some extent, made up the weaknesses. Sydney Carton is a fascinating character. Young actor James Wilby has excellently sustained Carton's emotional complexities: his cynicism, his indifference, his impulsive yearning for life, and his devoted love to Lucie. Carton, who is Darnay's lookalike and bears the same great affection towards Lucie, is, however, Darnay's inner alter ego. In contrast with Darnay's ideal, Carton is real, and, when fleshed out by James Wilby with immense delicacies, this is the character that couldn't be more captivating. Most of the other characters are also well rendered, with maybe a weak line with Madame Defarge, whose hatred and thirsty for revenge is somewhat stiffly and superficially depicted.
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"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", the drama ended with Carton walking towards the axe, while Lucie, Darnay, and their daughter riding towards their safe home. This is a most heroic and epic moment, a moment of glory in the midst of grief, and a moment of eternity in the midst of extermination.

First let me say that i haven't read the book,so I don't know if this adaptation is acurate to the Dickens's classic book;I won't go into that.Let me just say that i found this miniseries wonderful.It does have great acting,( handosme James Wilby as Sydney Carton-he's in Altman's Gosford Park;the Oscar-winning John Mills as Jarvis Lorry;Jean-Pierre Aumont as Dr. Manette,and on..),the costumes,the beautiful music score.The ending left me in tears.
I disagree with some reviewers that are saying that this movie is boring.It is not,but if you don't have enough patience and/or only watch action flicks,you won't like this.

This is a Masterpiece Theatre adaptation of Dicken's famous work. The casting is superb and Sidney Carton is particularly well-played...Well, spectacular actually. Jerry Cruncher, Madame Dufarge, Miss Pross and Mr. Lowry all come wonderfully to life in this five hanky tear jerker that will have you cheering in the end. An excellent screen version of an already wonderful story.

Within my admittedly limited experience, Masterpiece Theater dramatizations of great books are well produced and faithful to the original. This is no exception.

Well, Dickens's famous opening lines, "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times," etc. do not come at the beginning of the production but are inserted into a monologue by Sydney Carton shortly after the start of the second DVD. Otherwise, the plot, details, and characters seem much the same as I remember from when I last read the book several years ago.

My wife and I bought this set to help a young friend who is close to graduating from high school at a public school and therefore has problems with reading comprehension. We are well satisfied that she can watch this, then read, and perhaps profit in several ways.

Anyone looking for dazzling FX and computer-generated panoramics will be disappointed. This was made on a budget for television in 1989.

Otherwise, it is a capable -- sometimes very good -- and certainly a moving production. I think Dickens would have approved.

I had to watch this video in class when we were studing the French Revolution. I liked the movie so much, I decided to bet a copy of the book. I just love this version of the story. I highly recomend it for those who have an interest in the French Revolution time period and for helping your class learn about it.

This adaptation of ''Tale of Two Cites" is a success in everything except the most important part--- capturing the tone and mood of the original piece. In the Penguin Classics Edition of "A Tale of Two Cities" the introduction talks about how the plot of the story, conducted on a very personal and small level, feels much bigger than it really is. The movie failed to capture that feeling of scale and hugeness that the book encompasses. The costumes, acting and scenery are great for all of the English scenes and some of the French. But in France, the Revolutionary world of the Dufarges is so badly done and the tone is so off that it was often difficult not to laugh. The "mob" scenes were unenthusiastic and done in a way that made you not only feel bored but also "so what was the big deal?" Perhaps in an effort to avoid violence, the whole Revolution is downplayed and the Dufarges seem simply insane, not part of a mob of starved peasants. This problem could have been avoided had there been better writing. All in all, this is a miniseries to watch only if your curiosity gets the better of you. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone except those with special interest in the book and a mild interest to explore this adaptation. As I said, it's not all bad. But with better writing it could have been much, much better.

This version of A Tale of Two Cities was good and entertaining, but I would not rate it as excellent since it does not captivate the viewer with exceptional production nor cinematography. However, I did enjoy it and would recommend it to others.

After enjoying this DVD set, I was inspired to read the book, which I had not done since high school. As I read, I compared the scenes in the book and the movie. This production sticks more closely to the book than any other movie/mini-series based on a book that I have ever scene. Of course, they could not fit the entire book into the time alloted, but they missed very, very little. Generally speaking, the scenes from the book were in the movie, but they were abbreviated with less detail and shortened dialogue. What's missing? The movie never makes the connection between Miss. Pross and Barsad, wich isn't very important. I missed seeing Little Lucie's attachment to Sydney Carton, which could have been slipped in quickly and easily. The only additions to the story not found in the book were done to explain things to the viewer. One character would explain something to another character which Dickens related to the reader in his narration. The movie did show Sydney Carton outside the church in distress while Darnay married Lucie. This was a nice touch; Dickens should have thought of this. Much of the dialogue comes straight out of the book.

Many of the actors do a superb job. James Wilby portrays Sydney Carton to perfection. In order to fully appreciate his performance one has to be familiar with his performances in other movies to see how he has altered himself for this role. More than just his hair color was changed. His voice is different, his posture slouches, he walks ploddingly. It's just amazing to see this normally elegant actor turn himself into a frumpy mess. John Mills is 100% perfect as Jarvis Lorry. He is completely convincing right down to his bad wig. The casting of characters like Monsieur DeFarge, Miss. Pross, Barsad, the little seamstress, Jerry Cruncher, the woodcutter, etc. are just right. Even the exras in crowd scenes have the right look. The citizens of London look British, and the extras in the Paris mob scenes look French.

It's a complicated story, so the viewer must pay attention, particularly a viewer who is unfamiliar with the book, but it's a great and moving story. Every time I watch it I want to tell Sydney Carton not to do it. He's one of the greatest characters in English literature, and he's brought to life in this production.

I once saw the VHS version (2 cassettes) of this and thought it was exceptional. I have also read the book. Of course a 4 hour show cannot have as much detail as the book but I think it did a good job covering the main items.

I have bought the DVD and look forward to watching it.