MASTERPIECE THEATRE: A TALE OF TWO CITIES {EPISODE 1} (TV)
Summary
The first of two programs on this tape. One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the umbrella of "Masterpiece Theatre." This program presents part one of a four-part adaptation of Charles Dickens's "A Tale of Two Cities," the historical novel and love story set in the years leading up to, and culminating in, the violence of the French Revolution. First, Alistair Cooke introduces the presentation. The story begins in Paris 1767 with the innocent Dr. Alexandre Manette imprisoned in the Bastille, denouncing his oppressors. Eight years later, in 1775, Dr. Manette is finally released after eighteen years of imprisonment. Meanwhile, his daughter Lucie -- having thought him dead -- travels with family banker Jarvis Lorry to meet him. Meanwhile, in Saint Antoine, a Parisian suburb, a cask of wine spills and the poor of the town dive to the ground slurping it up, disgusting the nearby wine shop owner Monsieur Defarge. Arriving in Saint Antoine, Lorry tells Lucie that they must remain secretive about reclaiming Dr. Manette. At the same time, Monsieur Defarge speaks with his fellow revolutionaries, joking about the degradation he just saw in the streets. Madame Defarge scolds him, predicting bloodshed ahead for the nation. Then, Lorry and Lucie arrive at the Defarges' shop, where they're taken upstairs to meet with Dr. Manette, who has gone mad and believes he's a shoemaker. Lorry explains how he handled Dr. Manette's personal and business affairs while he was imprisoned. Five years later, in London, Frenchman Charles Darnay is tried for treason at the Old Bailey, with the likes of Jerry Cruncher, a messenger for Tellson's Bank, and his young son anticipating a public execution. Inside the court, witnesses such as the shifty John Barsad and his collaborator Roger Cly claim that Darnay had been reporting on English troops' whereabouts to the French. Called to testify on Darnay's behalf is Lucie, who sailed with him on her voyage back to England with her father -- now recovered from his madness. However, Darnay isn't fully acquitted until his lawyer, C.J. Stryver, points out to witnesses that the handsome, put-together Darnay bears a striking resemblance to defense counselor Sydney Carton. Afterward, Darnay finds himself dining with Carton, who continues throwing back wine, discussing how he would rather be Darnay and have the affections of Lucie. Meanwhile, Darnay's uncle, the Marquis St. Evremonde, is traveling by coach back to Paris when the coach accidentally runs over and kills the son of peasant Paul Gaspard right in front of Defarge's shop. The arrogant Marquis tosses Gaspard a coin, thinking it a fitting compensation for his loss. Madame Defarge subsequently knits the name of the Marquis in her "register." Later, on his way home, the Marquis passes a village worker who notices Gaspard hanging from the bottom of the coach. Back home, the Marquis speaks with his nephew Darnay, who is visiting France. The Marquis is disgusted that Darnay doesn't live the life of a nobleman, but rather that of a revolutionary democrat, determined to right the wrongs of the oppressed in society. That night, Gaspard sneaks into the Marquis's castle and murders him in his sleep.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: November 19, 1989 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:57:49
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:77906
- GENRE: Drama, historical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, historical
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rebecca Eaton … Executive Producer
- Stephen Hawes … Executive Producer
- Eve Vercel … Executive Producer
- Robert Nador … Executive Producer
- Roy Roberts … Producer
- Philippe Monnier … Director
- Arthur Hopcraft … Writer
- Charles Dicken … Based on the novel by
- Serge Franklin … Music by
- Alistair Cooke … Host
- James Wilby … Cast, Sydney Carton
- Xavier Deluc … Cast, Charles Darnay
- Serena Gordon … Cast, Lucie Manette
- John Mills … Cast, Jarvis Lorry
- Jean-Pierre Aumont … Cast, Dr. Manette
- Alfred Lynch … Cast, Jerry Cruncher
- Kathie Kriegel … Cast, Madame Defarge
- Gerard Klein … Cast, Monsieur Defarge
- Jean-Marc Bory … Cast, Marquis St. Evremonde
- Michel Subor … Cast, Darnay's Father
- Marie Bunel … Cast, Peasant Girl
- Jean-Paul Tribout … Cast, Gaspard
- Nicolas Serreau … Cast, Jacques
- James Patten … Cast, Young Jerry
- John Moffatt … Cast, Judge
- John Woodvine … Cast, Attorney General
- Jonathan Adams … Cast, Stryver
- Derek Deadman … Cast, Cly
- Karl Johnson … Cast, Barsad
- Eileen Tully … Cast, Waitress
- Christian Bordeleau … Cast, Evremonde Valet
- Gilles Gaston-Dreyfus … Cast, Road Mender
- Francois Lalande … Cast, Gabelle
- Janine Darcey … Cast, Village Woman
- Gerard Renoux … Cast, Evremonde Manservant