A Tale of Two Cities is a 1980 American historical drama film made for TV, directed by Jim Goddard and starring Chris Sarandon, who plays dual roles as Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton, two men who are both in love with the same woman, Lucie Manette. It is based on the 1859 Charles Dickens novel of the same name set in the French Revolution.
Contents
Plot
London lawyer Sydney Carton decides how much he will sacrifice for Lucie Manette, the woman he loves, in Paris during the Reign of Terror.
Cast
Chris Sarandon as Charles Darnay / Sydney Carton
Alice Krige as Lucie Manette
Peter Cushing as Dr. Alexandre Manette
Kenneth More as Jarvis Lorry
Barry Morse as Marquis St. Evrémonde
Flora Robson as Miss Pross
Billie Whitelaw as Madame Therese Defarge
Nigel Hawthorne as CJ Stryver
Norman Jones as Ernest Defarge
George Innes as Jerry Cruncher
David Suchet as John Barsad
Bernard Hug as Gaspard
Valérie de Tilbourg as Seamstress
Robert Urquhart as Attorney General
Anna Manahan as Vengeance
Gerald James as Gabelle
Bernard Archard as Court President
Martha Parsey as Little Lucie
Robin Scobey as Victor
John Kidd as Chemist
Dennis Gimes as French Soldier
Production
Producer Norman Rosemont specialised in adaptations of classic novels. Most of the $5 million budget came from Hallmark Greeting Cards. Kenneth More's sizeable supporting role as Jarvis Lorry was his last role on screen.
Reception
Olga Lehmann was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special at the 33rd Primetime Emmy Awards. The film was also nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Limited or Anthology Series or Television Film at the 38th Golden Globe Awards.