A Tale Of Two Cities - [DVD]

Dirk Bogarde is the quintessential Sydney Carton and Dorothy Tutin portrays Lucie Manette in Ralph Thomas?s adaptation of A Tale Of Two Cities. The director, Ralph Thomas was one the best known British film-makers of the 1950s and 1960s. His films, almost invariably made for the Rank Organisation, included the series of Doctor comedies as well as popular adaptations such as The 39 Steps with Kenneth More. Ralph trained at Sound City, later Shepperton Studios where having worked his way up from the bottom mastered camera, sound and editing and worked as an assistant to David Lean before World War II. Based on Charles Dickens? epic novel, this critically acclaimed film version was adapted for the screen by T.E.B. Clarke. A tale of great sacrifices being made for the sake of principle, Dickens? original novel is notable for its vivid representation of France during the French Revolution. Sidney Carton (Bogarde) a disillusioned, heavy drinking London lawyer defends a young French aristocrat Charles Darnay (Paul Guer) when the informant Barsad (Donald Pleasence) accuses him of spying. Carton finds himself falling in love with Darnay?s fiance Lucie Manette (Tutin) and, although he confesses his love to her, they agree to keep it secret. When Darnay returns to France, in the grip of revolutionary terror, he is imprisoned by a mob led by Madame Defarge (Rosalie Crutchley) on the orders of his corrupt uncle (Christopher Lee). Hearing Lucie?s pleas for help, Carton seizes the opportunity for action and, ultimately, redemption.