“A Tale of Two Cities” has been filmed more than a dozen times, but this Ralph
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Thomas-directed film starring Dirk Bogarde is my favorite. Filmed in 1958, this black and
white version seems to capture better than the others the true atmosphere of the
times--remember, “it was the best of times; it was the worst of times”--when London and
Paris were mortal enemies and intrigue and deception were on every corner and aboard
every stage! From the Charles Dickens novel, the movie examines the spirit of the French
revolution and its tragedies and ramifications, the insanities commiteed in the name of the
revolution with its countless deaths by guillotine, and the disregard for civil liberties--all i
the name of Mother Liberty. Certainly it captures the melodrama of Dickens, and of the
times, and Bogarde's dual role of Sydney and Charles as the ill-fated and ill-starred heros is one of his best.
The review of this Movie prepared by Bill Hobbs
