FeistyUpper If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

ShangLuda Admirable film.

Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

drjgardner "A Tale of Two Cities" is the remarkable 1859 story by Charles Dickens that appeared as 31 weekly installments in Dickens' own periodical. It was made as a film several times, including 3 silent versions and a marvelous 1935 version. The 30s were a great time for Dickens films, including "Oliver Twist" (1933) with Dickie Moore, "Great Expectations" (1934) with Henry Hull and Jane Wyatt, "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" (1935) with Claude Rains, "Scrooge" (1935), "David Copperfield" (1935) with none other than W. C. Fields, and "A Christmas Carol" (1938) with Reginald Owen.Comparing the 1935 and the 1958 versions - Sydney Carlton – Dirk Bogarde (1958) does a good job, one of his best, but Ronald Coleman (1935) is my preference.Charles Darney – Donald Woods (1935) is the better player. Paul Guers is a bit wooden for my tastes.Marquis St Evremonde – Basil Rathbone (1935) is one of the best villains anywhere, exceeding even Christopher Lee (1958).Miss Pross – Edna May Oliver (1935) was a hoot, much better than Athene Seyler (1958).Lucie Manette – Dorothy Tutin (1958) and Elizabeth Allen (1935) both do an admirable job.C.J.Stryver – Reginald Owen (1935) is more compelling than Ernest ClarkBoth versions are 2+ hours long and both don't fully represent the richness of the novel. I think the 1935 versions moves a bit better with fewer lapses, but both films are pretty well paced. Recall that Dickens' works are extremely long so no film can capture everything.In terms of production values, the 1935 version is surprisingly good, even though producer Selznick put more effort into other films at the time. The 1958 version, done in black and white, is certainly OK, but not any better than the 1935 version.The 1935 film was nominated for Best Picture and Best Film Editing. It lost to "The Great Ziegfeld" (picture) and "Anthony Adverse" (editing). The 1958 version received no nominations.Bottom line – if you're going to see only one version of this great novel, pick the 1935 version.

blanche-2 Though I gave the 1935 version of Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" a higher rating (before seeing this version), I'd have to say that this film, directed by Ralph Thomas, is probably better for the most part. This movie, done in black and white, captures the atmosphere of the Dickens novel - the filth and the cruelty - beautifully. No Hollywood gloss here. The cast is strong: Dirk Bogarde, Dorothy Tutin, Donald Pleasance, Ian Bannen, Christopher Lee, Alfie Bass.Though Sydney is one of Ronald Colman's great roles, it also proved to be a great role for Dirk Bogarde. As much as I love Ronald Colman, he can't quite help but come off as noble, whereas, you really could believe that Bogarde was a drunk and a waste before his final moments. Both men had the great gentleness required for the role. The end of this particular adaptation is very simple and beautiful.I highly recommend both versions. This one, I think, is closer to the Dickens novel.

Brooksider100 Pretty boy Bogarde or movie star Coleman? I always thought Dirk Bogarde (Bogarde NOT Bogarte) was a lightweight actor with occasional flashes of excellence.I always thought Ronald Coleman was a great movie star who could act a bit.Having said that I prefer Coleman's version of 'Lost Horizon' to the others and I think his performance as Carton shades Bogarde. Bogarde's best performances were in 'The Night Porter' and 'The Victim'There was, however, a version of this movie (maybe made for TV) with John Mills playing Carton - easily the best.

ianlouisiana Mr Dirk Bogarde was impossibly handsome in 1958.Photographed by Ernest Steward who,along with director Ralph Thomas,was to have a long professional association with him,he was,at 38,at the peak of his physical beauty,and well on the way along his journey from matinée idol to serious actor.In "A Tale of Two Cities" he plays Sidney Carton,a rather louche London lawyer who finds redemption in the turmoil of the French Revolution.It is as near a perfect adaptation of Dickens' novel as you could hope to find,and one of the masterpieces of 1950s British Cinema. Prior to the arrival of the Italian neo - realist movement and the French "Nouvelle Vague" we made a significant number of stylish and literate films that defined the term "British Cinema" to the rest of the world. ATOTC is one such film.Mr Bogarde,along with Mr Kenneth More and Mr Jack Hawkins,would guarantee "House Full" signs outside cinemas all over the country.These men epitomised all the virtues that the English attributed to themselves - interestingly mainly the middle-class ones.Once Mr Albert Finney had appeared in his vest in "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" we were regaled with whippet and Woodbine sagas that were still dragging on when Mr Hugh Grant came on the scene to reclaim the night for the Volvo and 2 labradors brigade. Sidney Carton's values were perhaps more easily understood by audiences in 1958 than today.In love with another man's fiancée he makes no attempt to seduce her despite the fact that she is clearly fond of him. He is an honourable man,a concept as beyond the grasp of a modern audience as that of suttee.He sacrifices his life to save his erstwhile rival.You can almost hear the chorus of "Yeah,right!". Of the triumvirate of English actors on top of the heap in 1958 only Mr Bogarde could possibly have played him.Mr More would have been too chirpy,Mr Hawkins too intense.So it was left to the youngest of the three to play one of the nineteenth century's most popular fictional heroes and to speak Charles Dickens' best known valediction,which he does exquisitely.