Dickens was inspired to write this novel by the accounts of the French Revolution by his friend Thomas Carlyle, which probably still is the best written account of that tremendous train of events and traumas. The novel is perhaps his most romantic one, as he never wrote a tragic love affair like this one. Dirk Bogarde makes perfect justice to the leading character in perhaps his best role ever, a very melancholy character which Bogarde strikes the very chords of more than convincingly. The other character which you will never forget of this film is Rosalie Crutchley as Madame Defarge. She always made striking appearances in very dramatic characters, and this is one of her most remarkable - you will never forget it. All the other characters are perfect also, Christopher Lee as the abominable Marquis, Stephen Murray as Doctor Manette, Donald Pleasance as the disgusting Barsad and all the others. To crown it all is Richard Addinsell's music, which enhances the romantic colour of the film. Ralph Thomas insisted on shooting it in black and white, because, as he said, Dickens wrote it in black and white. It is perhaps his best film, and some scenes are truly impressive. The storming of the Bastille is not historically correct, but it is well done, while the greatest scene is of course the finale. It was Dickens' only historical novel, and particularly enjoyable is the language, which has been aptly transferred to the film. Dickens, Bogarde, Carlyle - what a perfect team work.
Review of A Tale of Two Cities
