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Tess
RRP: £11.22
Our Price: £6.26 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Roman Polanski adapted Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles and came up with this moody, haunting film starring Nastassia Kinski as the farm girl who is misused by the aristocrat for whom she works and who is then caught in a marriage where her initial happiness soon turns to grief. Fans of the novel may feel unpersuaded by Polanski's effort to marry Hardy's Dorset vision with his own fascination with psychosexual impulses toward survival, but the film is an often stunning thing to see, and Kinski's sensitive, intelligent performance lingers in the memory. --Tom Keogh
Hardy Fan
Review date: 2007-11-14 Rating: 10 out of 10
I first saw Tess when it was originally produced in 1979 and was immediately impressed with not only the Polansky film but also Thomas Hardy,s writing.
I have since read all of his novels and poems and to my mind he is the best english author at setting scenes and describing the countryside and the harsh way of life that prevailed in the 19th and early 20th century.
This is a film that one can watch again and again and still be moved by the plight of Tess.
I would recommend this and all Hardy novels to everyone.
I know that he is perceived as a pessamist but you only have to see read Tess to see that the English way of life that she lived is gone forever, and only by Hardy,s novels will future generations be able to learn what life was like not that long ago.
Reviews
OK adaptation of the classic
Review date: 2007-07-01 Rating: 4 out of 10
The film does follow the basic story of Tess of the D'Urbervilles however missed or skimmed over parts of the book which are important to characterization. The actors/actresses didn't really seem to give off a convincing portrayal of the main characters as well.
Its a good watch and a great movie about love and betrayal, just felt it could have given alot more.
Not such a special edition...
Review date: 2007-01-24 Rating: 6 out of 10
Columbia's DVD of Tess is doubly disappointing - not only is it a disappointing transfer but it's also the cut version of the film, which tends to lose a little heart and more than a little irony. There's still much to admire, from the beautiful Scope cinematography and Phillipe Sarde's superb score to Polanski's feel for time and place (even if it is shot in France rather than Wessex) and, ironically, sexual prejudice, although Nastassja Kinski never really convinces in the lead and Leigh Lawson's despoiling cad seems constantly on the verge of twirling his moustache. The murder still seems a plot contrivance, although it does throw in one great moment of vintage Polanski with a spot of blood on the ceiling.
Still, at least the 72-minute documentary is very good.
Finally replaced my antiquated video!!!!
Review date: 2006-01-27 Rating: 10 out of 10
I've bought it on DVD at long last! Brilliant quality etc! A real treat!
I originally watched it on video when my mum studied for her degree years ago. Then years later when I studied for mine I then bought it.
It is such an atmospheric, emotional film. I loved it, but how I've cried at the end of it! The injustice!
At university, it was always Alec D'Urberville, the villain! Quite frankly, I think that Angel Clare was worse! Mr Pious, who claimed to love her, yet is unhappy because she's "impure." Get your priorities right man! This is probably easy for me to say with a 21st century perspective rather than a nineteenth one! At least Alec seems to want to make up for his awful behaviour. Angel Clare? A waste of space!
A very heart wrenching film, and controversial like the book? Was Tess's beauty really the cause of her downfall? Alec D'Urberville? Tess's father for forcing the alliance with the rich family who turned out not to be genuine descendants of the D'Urbervilles anyway? Watch the film and make up your own mind!
This book, and film created great debates at uni and at school (A level). The seduction scene is vague, but it also is in the book? Was this coincidence or a definite ploy by Thomas Hardy? This story really gets you thinking!
The photography is beautiful in the film, with contrasting colours and moods used to depict the relevant scenes in the novel. Light, sunny scenes alongside dark scenes are very symbolic.
The acting is brilliant, and Angel Clare annoying! A highly recommended film which sticks exactly to the plot in the Thomas Hardy novel. Fantastic and flawless!
THE BEST MOVIE EVER MADE
Review date: 2004-08-19 Rating: 10 out of 10
I went to see this movie at the Odeon Southampton , England , the week it came out . It changed my life and not only re introduced me to Thomas Hardy but also set a benchmark for production values that no movie has ever come close to .
There is true elegance in every frame and the movie has a soundtrack to die for .
You need to own this DVD . You really do .
Neville Judd
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Peter Firth
Rosemary Martin
Nastassja Kinski
John Collin
Leigh Lawson
Creators:
Nastassja Kinski (Primary Contributor)
Peter Firth (Primary Contributor)
Roman Polanski (Writer)
Claude Berri (Producer)
Jean-Pierre Rassam (Producer)
Pierre Grunstein (Producer)
Gérard Brach (Writer)
John Brownjohn (Writer)
Thomas Hardy (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Umbrella Entertainment
Manufacturer: Umbrella Entertainment
EAN: 9322225015920
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2004-11-19
Region code: 2
Running time: 165 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)