Product: A Tale of Two Cities (Masterpiece Theatre) (2001)
Rating: 3.0
Good intentions for an untouchable masterpiece
This adaptation of ''Tale of Two Cites" is a success in everything except the most important part--- capturing the tone and mood of the original piece. In the Penguin Classics Edition of "A Tale of Two Cities" the introduction talks about how the plot of the story, conducted on a very personal and small level, feels much bigger than it really is. The movie failed to capture that feeling of scale and hugeness that the book encompasses. The costumes, acting and scenery are great for all of the English scenes and some of the French. But in France, the Revolutionary world of the Dufarges is so badly done and the tone is so off that it was often difficult not to laugh. The "mob" scenes were unenthusiastic and done in a way that made you not only feel bored but also "so what was the big deal?" Perhaps in an effort to avoid violence, the whole Revolution is downplayed and the Dufarges seem simply insane, not part of a mob of starved peasants. This problem could have been avoided had there been better writing. All in all, this is a miniseries to watch only if your curiosity gets the better of you. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone except those with special interest in the book and a mild interest to explore this adaptation. As I said, it's not all bad. But with better writing it could have been much, much better.