Overview
A gripping tale of love and sacrifice set against the backdrop of revolution.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melodramatic
- stirring
- solemn
- classic cinema night
- literary adaptation viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the lavish and emotionally powerful Dickens adaptation, especially Ronald Colman's performance and its climactic dramatic impact.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sydney Carton's alcoholism, disrepute, love for Lucie, and climactic sacrifice define the film's emotional architecture.
The Carton, Lucie, and Darnay triangle unfolds against the French Revolution and Reign of Terror.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer stages London and revolutionary Paris with lavish historical design and large-scale public scenes.
Carton's attachment to Lucie and his preparation for the final act create sustained emotional and dramatic irony.
Films like A Tale of Two Cities, and why
Les Misérables
shared literary melodrama, historical upheaval, romantic sacrifice, and emotionally heightened period drama
Oliver Twist
shared Charles Dickens adaptation, moral redemption, class conflict, and ornate period storytelling
The Scarlet Pimpernel
shared revolutionary historical setting, romance, aristocratic conflict, and lavish classic studio production
Gone with the Wind
shared tragic romance, social injustice, self-sacrifice, and sweeping historical drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Jack Conway
- Release Date
- 1935-12-25
- Runtime
- 126 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (86)
Cast
- Ronald Colman
- Elizabeth Allan
- Edna May Oliver
- Reginald Owen
- Basil Rathbone
- Blanche Yurka
- Henry B. Walthall
- Donald Woods
- Walter Catlett
- Fritz Leiber
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is A Tale of Two Cities about?
- A sweeping Dickensian romance turns an alcoholic barrister’s unrequited love into an act of redemption amid the French Revolution.
- What is A Tale of Two Cities like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Tale of Two Cities as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is A Tale of Two Cities violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in A Tale of Two Cities as moderate.
- What did critics think of A Tale of Two Cities?
- Critics broadly praised the lavish and emotionally powerful Dickens adaptation, especially Ronald Colman's performance and its climactic dramatic impact.
- Which films are like A Tale of Two Cities?
- Films with a similar feel include Les Misérables, Oliver Twist, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Gone with the Wind.
- How long is A Tale of Two Cities?
- A Tale of Two Cities runs 126 minutes.
- Where can I watch A Tale of Two Cities?
- In United States, A Tale of Two Cities is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
