W11, #4: Did Hollywood Get It Right?

Of the following film & television posters of "A Tale of Two Cities", which one best demonstrates the underlying themes and ideas of the novel?

Challenge:

• Pick one of the posters.
• Explain why it 'works' best in your opinion.
• 5+ sentences.

1935 film version:

1958 film version:

1980 television version:

1989 television mini-series version:

Comments

[Student #1]

The 1935 cover may be over 70 years old, but to me it portrayed the message of the novel perfectly. The others had their own gradual modern touch to it, but this one stood out. The simplicity of the colored cover (not pictures like the others) gave it a more meaningful edge. Cartons face bold and in the front with a grief-stricken face made you wanting to know by the artist made his face that way. Darnay and the woman in the backround look like a classic love story. The woman proudly showing off the fact that she has her man wrapped around her finger, and the man mystefied by her charm.

***

Mr. Long's response: A very thoughtful reply. Love the level of detail you offer re: the expressions shown in the characters themselves. Also I'm intrigued that you see the 'love' story as the central element; this would offer a great debate in class!

[Student #2]

The 1958 film version perfectly depicts the book and the revolution. Many of the other poster's ignore the fact the novel is about more than love. The book is primarily about the French and their struggles and how it affects the citizens. The poster shows the anger of the French people and their struggles. The picture doesn't try to sugar coat the story unlike the 1935 version. The man on the cover appears to be Carton who looks to be thinking and formulating a plan. It could possibly be the plan to help Darnay.

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Mr. Long's response: I'm very struck by the fact that you and Student #1 completely differ on the reasons you chose one poster over another. Interesting comment: "sugar coat".

[Student #3]

I think the 1958 film version cover got it the closest to the book. I think this because it showed the multiple parts of the novel. All the other posters seemed to only show one side of the book. First and third romance and the fourth just looked set in England. The second poster I think shows the animalistic nature of the book and the darkness Dickens incoporates better than the rest of the posters do.

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Mr. Long's response: Solid point re: the possibility of showing more than "one side of the book". Also appreciate your focus on the "darkness" element.

[Student #4]

Since in the class some people expressed their approval for the earliest, the 1935 version, I at first wanted for another one just to seem more original. However, after observing the other posters, I have to admit that the first one is most relevant to the theme by process of elimination. I find that the other ones focus too much on the plot and the revolution, but the first one really exploit the feelings of the main characters of the book, Lucie, Darnay, and Carton. Strangely, because Carton and Darnay look similar, we don’t really know who is who. The person in front could be Carton as well as Darnay and different interpretations bring different symbolisms.

For instance, suppose the front person is Carton. His head lifted up relates him to Jesus Christ who seeks God’s guidance before sacrificing Himself. In the back, then, we imagine the loving relationship between Darnay and Carton.

On the other hand, if the front person is Darnay, then his facial expression conveys his desperation and his unwillingness to die.

In the back, we can interpret Lucie’s visage as melancholic and worried because of his husband’s imprisonment. (Notice that the black space behind the man in front suggests the prison). We also see Carton who tries to convince Lucie that her husband is going to be safe (because of him, of course).

Thus, I think that this poster is really intriguing thematically and truthfully suggests the theme of “recalled to life” in the novel (in the case of all three characters).

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Mr. Long's response: One of the strongest responses I've seen since we began this project. What could have easily been a quick rush to judgment, or even something that was answered based only on what was easily grasped, you have shown a much deeper thinking process in terms of the many ways to 'see' the elements on the poster you chose.

NO matter what someone ultimately chooses, they can see the potential in more than one option thanks to your answer. What strikes me most of all is how you opted for a very sophisticated answer based upon a very simple visual choice. Nicely done in terms of opening all of our eyes.

[Student #5]

I think the last poster showed the ideas in the book the best. The shadowed lighting helps convey the serious mood, giving everything a gloomy look. It clearly shows Lucie's innocence and fear. Also, Carton, who is in the background, has an expression that fits his character. Everything has the quality of a brewing storm, which is an excellent choice of background. Overall, I think this one really conveys more of the tone than any of the others. The first is too light hearted, the second is all violence, and the third shows no conflict. The only emotion is on the character's faces.

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Mr. Long's response: Clever detail to pick up on: "Everything has the quality of a brewing storm, which is an excellent choice of background."

[Student #6]

I believe that the lat poster got it right. Dickens thought this novel, emphasizes on opposites. Some might argue this novel was about a love story, or the revolution. Dickens gives us a plot that can be interpreted two different ways. The last poster gives you the love story feel but also the revolution. One of these two ways for looking at things in the novel was the wine/blood spilling. When wine was being spilled in the streets, it symbolized that it was blood, and the revolution was approachinhg.When people were drinking it; it symbolized how poor they were but also, how some could have wanted the revolution.

[Student #7]

1980 television version captures my imagination. The poster focus’ on what our human nature wants to see but initially avid. It appeals to our sense of sorrow, anger, and empathy. The gentleman in the right hand corner helps balance the tone of war. This poster shows both sides of the book without over dramatizing like a soap opera. In the other posters all that is put into perspective are the sad looking people. The only emotion present is a melodramatic melancholy atmosphere.

[Student #8]

I had a hrd time deciding between the 1935 and 1980 versions but eventually chose the 1980 poster because no one else had. (Also in the 1935 one I can't get over how much Carton looks like Christian Bale from Newsies.) What I like about the one from 1980 is that you get the feeling that it is a love story but you can also sense the darkness of the revolution with the tattered flag in the background. On the cover you cannot tell if it is Darnay or Carton next to Lucy and this helps to sell the plot of the film. Chris Sarandon (Jack Skellington, Prince Humperdink)and Peter Cushing (Van Helsing, Tarkin)also helped to influence my decision because I am a fan of both of their work and may be a little biased. It was also easier to choose because after doing a little research (imdb) I found out that Darnay and Carton are played by the same man(Sarandon). This supports the idea that it could be either of the two men on the poster.

[Student #9]

In my perspective, the 1958 film version strikes the most relevance within the Tale of Two Cities, because it illustrates the key themes present in the story. One being the French Revolution, which is depicted onto the poster, makes the poster important because it incorporates bloodthirsty peasants who portray agony, pain, revenge, without essentially softening the premise in contrast to the previous poster made in 1935. In agreement with student #3, the poster does not only show one fraction of the story, but the full article. As a result, the poster is best suited to give a picture of the story.

[Student #10]

I think the 1958 version depicts the novel the best. It depicts the ruthless mob that controlled the French Revolution and that characters will be sharing a relationship with it that deeply impacts their lives. All the other poster's fail to do this. Also the depiction of the front charcter's face, whom I assume is Darnay, shows what the novel depicts him as when he goes to rescue Gabelle, scared but brave. The poster also does a great job of showing the different phases of the novel through graphic imagery, which the other poster's fail to do.

[Student #11]

I like the first one the best. It portrays Carton taking a stand, no matter how scared he might be, while Darnay stays with Lucie. It definitely surpasses the others that just show the characters as individuals. They aren't individuals, they live through each other and help each other. They each care for one another. Sacrificing your life for another. The first cover without doubt expresses that.

[Student #12]

In my opinion the 1935 cover has the most relevance to the story. The back showing the loving and pure relationship between Lucie and Darnay. Then Carton shown off to the side emphasizing his fear of something upsetting Lucie. The agonized Carton shows his sorrow in his upcoming future. The story also had a love story, which i found a main component of the story because the cover subtly shows the love "triangle".

[Student #13]

The 1935 film poster was the most appealing to me because of how it seems to be centered on the three main characters of the play and not on the French revolution which is more or less an excuse for additional drama. Granted that there are some motifs within the revolution and some catalysts that stem off from the revolution, the main basis is truly a love triangle and the evolution of two matching characters, Carton and Darnay. Furthermore, the unconditional love that Lucie radiates is what fuels these characters into such major transformation. Take the revolution out of “A tale of two cities” and it loses a little zest and some themes, take these three characters out of the novel and “A tale of two cities” becomes obsolete and it wouldn’t even be known in the twenty-first centuries. With that said, this poster is the only one that displays all three characters; however the depiction of the revolution with Carton, Darnay, and Lucie would’ve been ideal.