A Tale of Two Cities

.

"A Tale of Two Cities" is a beautiful historical drama, true to the Dickens novel as produced by David O. Selznick. Released in 1935, it stars Ronald Colman as Sydney Carton, Elizabeth Allan as Lucy, Basil Rathbone, Donald Woods, Blanche Yurka, Edna May Oliver, Reginald Owen and Isabel Jewell. No point in repeating the story. Colman's Sydney Carton is his best-remembered role - a sad alcoholic whose only joy in life is the beautiful Lucy and later on, her child. Carton is a man without much purpose, who doesn't really know why he's on earth and doesn't feel that he's worth much. In his self-sacrifice, he finds the meaning in life he has sought. Colman never overdid as an actor - if anything, he underplayed, and there was always a gentleness and a pathos to his performances. He's perfect as Carton. Elizabeth Allan is a beautiful, strong Lucy. Donald Woods, who plays her husband, the lucky Charles Darnay, seems a little out of place, however. As the cruel Lord Evremonde, Basil Rathbone is excellent. Two character actresses, Edna May Oliver and Blanche Yurka, hand in lively performances that really help make the film. This film version definitely reflects Dickens' point of view about the French Revolution, which isn't everyone's, but in remaining faithful to the novel, of course, Dickens' point of view is obvious. It is a great film to show in a literature class rather than a history class. It would be wonderful if this and some other classics could be introduced to students somehow. Too much Transformers and the like can't be that good for the soul.

This is just about the best movie ever made. Really. It has everything any good movie needs. The script is wonderful, and the acting is so much more than you would even begin to expect. It's the kind of movie you can watch every week, and still get so involved. That is what this movie does-it makes you so interested and involved. You feel for Sydney Carton, and you just want to go give him a big hug! A Tale of Two Cities makes you laugh, and cry, and just feel good about humanity. It's brilliant!

A great novel MGM's machinery of the thirties brought to the screen, Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" will stand the test of time even with this starchy film version as part of its history. What raises this movie above the usual fare Hollywood churned out at the time was the force majeure that Blanche Yurka kicked up as the relentless Madame DeFarge. Director Jack Conway's efforts would have jellied before our eyes without her. When she sets her vengeful sights on the annihilation of those poor Evremondes, a feverish chill passes through everything on the screen, and the wind goes out of this movie's sails by the time that cornstalk of a standby, Edna May Oliver, does her in. It leaves you with only incidental pleasures--the tremulous approach Isabel Jewell makes to the guillotine; the even more tremulous elocution of Ronald Colman as Sydney Carton (Remember his "It's a far, far better thing I do than I have ever done before."); and glimpses of Lucille LaVerne whom movie buffs might remember in another movie set during the French Revolution--the far superior "Orphans of the Storm."

This was overall a pretty good movie. I don't think the movie is as good as the book, however. The movie and the book are quite different and the main themes aren't even the same. In the movie they get a lot more into the love relationship between Charles and Lucie then they do in the book. This was a very good movie for being as old as it was.

source: A Tale of Two Cities

Thanks to everyone who left a comment about this film! I have been looking for a movie to present in my history-through-film class and was curious about showing one that had to do with the French Revolution. Charles Dickens happens to be one of my favorite writers as well. I only have one question about it..how much of this film is nonfiction? One of the requirements for showing a film is that it has to be at least half historical, because after watching a movie we usually discuss what parts were true and what was trumped up. There are some great actors in this movie and I can't wait to watch it! I've heard great things about the film from these user comments. Man, I love this site! =)

This movie was fairly good. For an older movie it was fairly good acting and all but the story all together didn't intrest me much. The plot is dry and drawn out, but the movie fairly protrayed the book. I watched the movie without much intrest but never the less I made it through.

MGM's Ronald Colman version of Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" has more in common with the best of films, and less in common with the worst of films. Producer David O. Selznick guaranteed it a nice budget, which results in a some finely-edited incidental scenes. Every so often, you are startled by how well something is done - but, generally, the story goes through the motions. It is nice to see Mr. Colman perform the "Sydney Carton" role. The other leads do not work well with him, however. Colman's "Carton" is supposed to be identical in appearance to the "Charles Darnay" character played by Donald Woods. The two men are vaguely similar types, but Mr. Woods is a bigger, taller man; and, his youth makes Colman look a little old for the part. Elizabeth Allan (as Lucie) is pretty; she looks good with Woods, but has no little chemistry with Colman. The film offered a grand supporting cast - all eligible for the first "Best Supporting" Oscar given, but none were nominated. The best supporting actor almost looks to be Basil Rathbone, with his cruel depiction of French aristocracy; but, he doesn't appear much, and Mr. Rathbone could perform the part in his sleep. By the time he loses his tenuous sanity, fatherly Henry B. Walthall (as Alexandre Manette) really takes supporting actor honors; and, this was the last great character role for Mr. Walthall. For feminine honors, it's a battle between Edna May Oliver's wise-cracking English maid and Blanche Yurka's violently-knitting French peasant. They even have a supporting actress dogfight. Many admire Ms. Yurka's efforts, which are considerable; she chews the scenery and spits it out. Finally, by the time "The End" has come, it's very apparent this "Tale of Two Cities" has become a "Christmas Carol" - of course, as in the original work, Dickens would prefer the comparison to be more allegorical. ******* A Tale of Two Cities (12/25/35) Jack Conway ~ Ronald Colman, Donald Woods, Henry B. Walthall, Blanche Yurka

This is the best version of the novel and despite its age its still the saddest with out ever becoming overly sentimental.Ronald Colman was perfect at playing Sidney Carton,the part was tailor-made for him,even though at the time he was in his mid forties,which would also make him the oldest actor in this role.He had the most expressive eyes,darkly beautiful and yet sad,like most of the silent stars Garbo being one of them the acting was all in the eyes,the transition into talkies meant that silent stars had to have the perfect voice,Ronald Colman had a smooth velvety type voice and despite having seen his best years was still perfect for the early talkies.This film is one example of the actor at his best,although almost forgotten nowadays he was the pioneer of English gentleman actors who broke through into the early talkies and into Hollywood,those that would follow were the likes of Larry Olivier,David Niven and not forgetting Cary Grant.Its a shame we always forget the original actors that made that big breakthrough,that paved the way for others.This film is a must see for fans of the novel,its now very old but it hasn't lost its appeal,and you'll still find the ending very moving.We just cant make them like this any more.