A Tale of Two Cities (1980)

The ultimate tale of love honor and sacrifice during the bloodstained French Revolution is movingly brought to life in this sumptuous production. The dashing Chris Sarandon (The Princess Bride) stars in dual roles as the cynical lawyer Sydney Carton and the disenchanted aristocrat Charles Darnay both in love with the same woman (Alice Krige Star Trek: First Contact). Also starring Peter Cushing (Star Wars) this Golden Globe-nominated version of the Charles Dickens classic thrillingly captures all the drama and emotion of one of history's most explosive eras.System Requirements:Running Time: 156 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 014381364026 Product Description

Rare love

I was impressed by the dual act of Chris Sarandon.

I took one star because the movie did not show much of the characters' passion!

Two men are in love with one woman. It would be hard for her to choose so one of them scarified himself for her happiness. The movie ends with her tears (Alice Krige) as she discovers his true feelings and the sacrifice he made.

It remains one of my favorite movies! May 5, 2008

True to the story

The film attempts to stay true to Dickens' book . . but falls short at times because of editing for time. Some of the characters are not allowed to develop sufficiently for the ending to have the book's impact. The lead role was poorly acted. February 8, 2008

A Tale of Two Cities

I have always used this movie in my classroom, but on VHS. I was thrilled to see it available on DVD and at an affordable price. This DVD provided the same quality I had with the VHS version and made it much easier to navigate throughout the movie, especially when three different classes were watching it throughout the day. December 26, 2007

A Tale of Two Cities DVD

I teach French and ESL and found this depiction of Charles Dickens' tale of the French Revolution an excellent addition to my personal video library.
December 18, 2007

Spirited production of a classic tale

This is a very welcome release to DVD at last, Hallmark's sterling production of A Tale of Two Cities, with a standout cast, stellar costumes and sets, a vivid adaptation of the original novel, and fast-paced direction. Interest never lags as this rich drama unfolds, set against the sweeping backdrop of the French Revolution. Sarandon convincingly carries off his double role as both the noble Darnay and the dissipated Carton and Billie Whitelaw gives a bravura performance as the ferocious revolutionary leader Madame DeFarge, poisoned by her hatred of aristocrats. There isn't a bad performance anywhere, although Alice Krige is perhaps a bit *too* pale and wan, even for a sweet-natured "English rose" character. Peter Cushing produces genuine pathos as Dr. Manet and the final sequence in the tumbril, where Carton redeems a life misspent, is quietly poignant. There's even some humor amid the blood and thunder and treachery. History teachers would find much in here to use in the classroom. A marvelous retelling of a great epic. December 13, 2007

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