Barrister Sydney Carton falls in love with lovely Lucie Manette, daughter of a victim of the oppressive French aristocracy. After he successfully defends falsely accused Charles Darney, Carton's love for Lucie remains unrequited as she marries Darnay. When Darnay is ultimately condemned to death by a revolutionary tribunal during the Reign of Terror, his only hope for rescue lies with Carton.