Customer Reviews:
Atmospheric retelling of a poignant novel.......2008-02-04
Nicely done version high on atmosphere set in an authentic looking period location. We see the terrible poverty endured by the masses, the sumptuous luxury enjoyed by the elite classes, and the feeling of righteous revolution is palpable. Bogarde's well cast as the slightly decadent English lawyer determined to do something really noble in his life before he goes, and the film nicely portrays the seething class hatred on both sides, but especially highlights the vindictiveness and lust for revenge from the main agitators of the revolution. A decent enough version which could have done with being a little more engaging in its narrative, but generally a satisfying tale retold.
a good film to watch, but with that certain thing missing.......2005-12-24
i bought this film because i read the book and felt that it was stunning. after seeing the film i was very satisfied, but i felt it missed that special factor, for instance in the 2nd chapter when they are in the horse carriage the book describes it to be very eery and rather scary, whereas in the film i just didn't quite get that feel. but overall, a good film to watch, but don't expect it to be as good as the book.
One of Rank's Best Films.......2002-07-09
Although not quite in the same league as the lavish MGM 1936 version starring Ronald Colman, Rank achieved a notable success with this despite critics misgivings upon its initial release. Dirk Bogarde plays an alcoholic lawyer who sacrifices his life on the guillotine to save the husband of a woman he loves (the beautiful Dorothy Tutin). Overall, it was a fine effort, many of the actors being household names. Even Alfie Bass has a part in this!! The video version is quite watchable, a fine print and decent sound. Not sure what the DVD version is like though, but it deserves the full treatment. If you like the good old British movies of the 1950s, you will love this.
"It could have been a far, far better thing".......2002-06-17
I bought the Special Edition in the hope it would be a Widescreen presentation but,regrettably,it is in conventional 4.3 ratio. A big disappointment. However, and frustratingly, one of the extras included is the Theatrical trailer which IS in Widescreen! The other "extras" are Biographies (of Dirk Bogarde & Dorothy Tutin, the leading players plus Ralph Thomas who directed), a stills gallery plus a 29 minute documentary. Most critics rate the earlier film version starring Ronald Coleman as the best but I am more than content with Dirk Bogarde's portrayal of Sidney Carton. To my eye, he captures the essence of the clever but world-weary, cynical & self-destructive lawyer to perfection. In many scenes his mere expression speaks volumes. All the supporting players, in a cast which includes Christopher Lee, are top-notch & I am pleased to have it on DVD which, of course, delivers the best picture quality. I just wish Carlton had seen fit to release it in Widescreen. Could it be that no copy now exists in the vaults?
Faithful adaptation of Dickens' must-see romantic classic........2001-12-10
An accurate adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel. Set in London and Paris, Dickens' classic tells the tale of a man who gives the ultimate sacrifice so as to ensure the happiness of the woman he loves. With the tragic French Revolution as its background, the film does not only cover historic and cultural issues but also moving moral issues and of course, love. An extremely well-made British production and with Bogarde playing an exquisite Sydney Carton, who can possibly resist?
Customer Reviews:
Atmospheric retelling of a poignant novel.......2008-02-04
Nicely done version high on atmosphere set in an authentic looking period location. We see the terrible poverty endured by the masses, the sumptuous luxury enjoyed by the elite classes, and the feeling of righteous revolution is palpable. Bogarde's well cast as the slightly decadent English lawyer determined to do something really noble in his life before he goes, and the film nicely portrays the seething class hatred on both sides, but especially highlights the vindictiveness and lust for revenge from the main agitators of the revolution. A decent enough version which could have done with being a little more engaging in its narrative, but generally a satisfying tale retold.
a good film to watch, but with that certain thing missing.......2005-12-24
i bought this film because i read the book and felt that it was stunning. after seeing the film i was very satisfied, but i felt it missed that special factor, for instance in the 2nd chapter when they are in the horse carriage the book describes it to be very eery and rather scary, whereas in the film i just didn't quite get that feel. but overall, a good film to watch, but don't expect it to be as good as the book.
One of Rank's Best Films.......2002-07-09
Although not quite in the same league as the lavish MGM 1936 version starring Ronald Colman, Rank achieved a notable success with this despite critics misgivings upon its initial release. Dirk Bogarde plays an alcoholic lawyer who sacrifices his life on the guillotine to save the husband of a woman he loves (the beautiful Dorothy Tutin). Overall, it was a fine effort, many of the actors being household names. Even Alfie Bass has a part in this!! The video version is quite watchable, a fine print and decent sound. Not sure what the DVD version is like though, but it deserves the full treatment. If you like the good old British movies of the 1950s, you will love this.
"It could have been a far, far better thing".......2002-06-17
I bought the Special Edition in the hope it would be a Widescreen presentation but,regrettably,it is in conventional 4.3 ratio. A big disappointment. However, and frustratingly, one of the extras included is the Theatrical trailer which IS in Widescreen! The other "extras" are Biographies (of Dirk Bogarde & Dorothy Tutin, the leading players plus Ralph Thomas who directed), a stills gallery plus a 29 minute documentary. Most critics rate the earlier film version starring Ronald Coleman as the best but I am more than content with Dirk Bogarde's portrayal of Sidney Carton. To my eye, he captures the essence of the clever but world-weary, cynical & self-destructive lawyer to perfection. In many scenes his mere expression speaks volumes. All the supporting players, in a cast which includes Christopher Lee, are top-notch & I am pleased to have it on DVD which, of course, delivers the best picture quality. I just wish Carlton had seen fit to release it in Widescreen. Could it be that no copy now exists in the vaults?
Faithful adaptation of Dickens' must-see romantic classic........2001-12-10
An accurate adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel. Set in London and Paris, Dickens' classic tells the tale of a man who gives the ultimate sacrifice so as to ensure the happiness of the woman he loves. With the tragic French Revolution as its background, the film does not only cover historic and cultural issues but also moving moral issues and of course, love. An extremely well-made British production and with Bogarde playing an exquisite Sydney Carton, who can possibly resist?
DVD:
- A Taste Of Honey [1961]
- Battleship Potemkin [1925]
- Big Breadwinner Hog - The Complete Series/Spindoe - The Complete Series [1969]
- Billion Dollar Brain [1967]
- Blood and Black Lace [1966]
- Bright Eyes [1934]
- British Transport Films Collection - Vol. 2 - See Britain By Train [1952]
- Cape Fear [1961]
- Captain Blood [1935]
- Carry On Camping [1968]
DVD List
DVD
![A Tale Of Two Cities [1958]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21BAJ3H83WL.jpg)
All Classics
|
Classics
|
Categories
|
DVD
|
Video
A Tale of Two Cities
![Nicholas Nickleby [1947]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000I5XNGK.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Nicholas Nickleby [1947]
![A Tale of Two Cities [1935] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000GRUQL0.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
A Tale of Two Cities [1935] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
The Blue Lamp
The Pickwick Papers
![A Tale Of Two Cities [1958]](http://www.bill88.com/buy.gif)
![A Tale Of Two Cities [1958]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21N0NP16VSL.jpg)