A TALE OF TWO CITIES

US, 1980, 140 minutes, Colour.
Chris Sarandon, Kenneth More, Flora Robson, Peter Cushing, Billie Whitelaw, Barry Morse.
Directed by Jim Goddard.

A Tale Of Two Cities is a lavish Norman Rosemont production for television. Charles Dickens' novel has been adapted for the television screen by John Gay, writer of many similar adaptations. Direction is by Jim Goddard (Parker, Shanghai Surprise, Hitler's S.S.).

Chris Sarandon takes the part of Sidney Carton as well as Charles. He lacks the charisma of such actors as Ronald Colman and Dirk Bogarde who have embodied Sidney Carton so well. There is a good range of character actors in the cast including Kenneth More as Jarvis Lawrie, Flora Robson as Miss Pross, Peter Cushing as Dr. Manet, Barry Morse as the Marquis, Billie Whitelaw as Madame Defarge.

The film has colourful settings, reasonable acting, has the essence of Dickens' story - but is fairly lengthy, lacks the dramatic impact of previous versions.

1. A television adaptation of the famous novel? The memory of film versions?

2. The re-creation of the 18th. century, colour photography, locations, decor, costumes? Musical score?

3. The strength of the cast, especially the British supporting cast?

4. The portraits of the characters: the Marquis and his cruelty, the death of the child, his murder? The Defarges and their work in Paris, Madame Defarge and her relentlessness, the executions, the denunciation, the use of Dr. Manet's letter, the fight with Miss Pross and her death? Charles and his decision to leave France, work in England, the trial, Sidney carton, love for Lucy, the marriage, the return to France, the imprisonment, the exchange with Sidney Carton, happy ending? Dr. Manet and his imprisonment, release, happiness in England, the memories of the Bastille, losing his mind, the return to France, the support for Charles? Lucy and her love for her father, the marriage with Charles, her child, France, the Defarges, the trials, the escape? Miss Pross and her devotion, the fight with Madame Defarge? Jarvis Lawrie and his discovery of Dr. Manet, in England, the work with Charles, in Paris? Sidney Carton and his drinking, seeming indifference in the court, his helping Charles, love for Lucy, devotion, his going to Paris, his plan for substituting himself, the execution and his support of the young woman? The spy and the court case, his exposure, the return to France? Carton using him for the escape? Carton's associate and his love for Lucy? The gallery of characters?

5. Dickens' comment on the best of times and the worst of times? Cruelty? Oppression in France, the revolution, its violence? The heroism?

6. The contrast with France and England? The refugees to England? Safer life there? The dangers in France? The madness of the French populace, the courts, the executions?

7. Adventure, Dickens' touch of the melodramatic? Coincidences?

8. The happy ending - and the heroism of Sidney Carton's execution: and his famous farewell speech, 'It is a far far better thing I do ...?

9. The perennial popularity of Dickens' story?