Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Starring:Justine Waddell, Jason Flemyng, Oliver Milburn, John McEnery, Lesley Dunlop, Rosalind Knight, Anthony O'Donnell, Christine Moore, Bryan Pringle, Debbie Chazen, Candida Rundle, Amanda Brewster, Linda Armstrong, Hannah Waterman, Charlotte Bellamy, Amanda Loy-Ellis, Luke Graham, Cheryl Heuston, Trevor Martin, Penny Morrell
Director: Ian Sharp
Studio: A&E Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
No one does tragedies as well as Thomas Hardy, and this new BBC production of his 1891 novel is a peach. Tess is a teenager captured between happiness with an educated man (Oliver Milburn) and a dreadful existence with a scheming aristocrat (Jason Flemyng). Compared to Roman Polanski's 1980 Oscar-winning film Tess, the BBC version is far more interested in Hardy's text than in directorial exportations. Hence, the famous strawberry scene in which the aristocrat seduces the young Tess is just long enough to plumb the emotions; Polanski's version made the scene into a miniature classic of innocence and seduction. Both versions are worth seeing.

Amazon.com

No one does tragedies as well as Thomas Hardy, and this new BBC production of his 1891 novel is a peach. Tess is a teenager captured between happiness with an educated man (Oliver Milburn) and a dreadful existence with a scheming aristocrat (Jason Flemyng). Compared to Roman Polanski's 1980 Oscar-winning film Tess, the BBC version is far more interested in Hardy's text than in directorial exportations. Hence, the famous strawberry scene in which the aristocrat seduces the young Tess is just long enough to plumb the emotions; Polanski's version made the scene into a miniature classic of innocence and seduction. Both versions are worth seeing.

Customer Reviews:

Hardy kills another romance novel.......2007-06-24

Well adapted, true to the story, but honestly: Of all the books out there, why would they film this? It's depressing, dismal, and desperate. There are NO heroes in this. I would compare it to Vanity Fair but at least in Vanity Fair there is a good guy to get a silly girl in the end.
This is what happens when men write romance novels. If you don't believe me watch his other "classic": The Major of Casterbridge.

1 star for Music
1 star for Acting and adaptation

0 for brilliant story

If you want to watch a good romance that has depth, makes you weepy, and that ends well, watch the BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.

Beautifully done.......2007-06-09

My 17 year old granddaughter and I watched this lovely movie together. The acting was superb and the scenery gorgeous. Definitely a keeper.

Beautiful, Faithful Adaptation of Hardy's Masterpiece.......2007-03-10

I watched the movie yesterday, one week after I finished reading the book "Tess of the D'Urbervilles." I was blown away by the acting and the faithfulness of the movie to the book. Some minor scenes were cut, but only lines were added in, not scenes, and even then the added lines did not detract from the integrity of the story.

That said, the movie follows the story and events pretty much flawlessly, and I would say, presents the characters' personalities and feelings flawlessly as well. But that, or course, is mostly all because of the talent of the actors involved, especially the main three. Also, by the strength of the novel alone, you could tell that if the movie followed the book in both characterization and plot, it couldn't go wrong. And since the movie does just that, it's just right. You ache for Tess because of what she has to go through, yet you admire her because of her strength in the face of so many obstacles. Such a lovely, lovely movie. Tragic and so bittersweet.

Hardy and Tess.......2007-03-03

Claire Tomalin's recent biography of Thomas Hardy prompted me to look into not only re-reading Hardy's best novels after many years but also seeing what was available on DVD. I was pleased to see a production of "Tess of the D'Urbevilles" as I always associate Hardy with this work more than any other.

It's easy to see why "Tess" is so popular among Hardy fans. It's Victorian, autobiographical and just what one might expect of the author. This production (1998) is a good representation and with some wonderful cinematography proves itself. However, the role of Tess is curiously underplayed by actress Justine Waddell to the point of any lack of sympathy for her character. What saves the film is a terrific performance by her main love, Angel Clare, as portrayed by Oliver Milburn. He manages to convey every emotion in dealing with Tess and he succeeds brilliantly. The supporting cast is excellent.

If you enjoy Hardy I would suggest a better DVD that has stood the test of time..."Jude the Obscure" from 1971. It's a couple of hours longer than "Tess" but far more emotionally charged.

This is one good movie.......2007-01-03

This version is soooooooooooo much better than the polanski one that one was boring this Tess has much better acting and is much more interesting. One day I was in the mood to watch this with my hubby at the starting of the film my sister& mother & neice came over they(all of them including hubby who has never seen it before ended up on really getting into it my mom was even talking about it the next day( if you knew my mother she is not that type of person) itis really a good movie

A&E Literary Classics - The Romance Collection 2 Megaset (Horatio Hornblower / Nicholas Nickleby / Vanity Fair / The Flame Trees of Thika / The Mayor of Casterbridge / Tess of the D'Urbervilles / The Great Gatsby)

Average customer rating:

A&E Literary Classics - The Romance Collection 2 Megaset (Horatio Hornblower / Nicholas Nickleby / Vanity Fair / The Flame Trees of Thika / The Mayor of Casterbridge / Tess of the D'Urbervilles / The Great Gatsby)
Starring: Romance Collection 2
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000AYEIWM
Release Date: 2005-10-25

Description

A&E LITERARY CLASSICS: The Romance Collection Volume 2 Heart-stopping romance amidst the Napoleonic Wars, the delightful pursuit of love and fortune among the British upper crust, greed and longing during the Jazz Age--just some of the great narratives evocatively brought to screen in this magnificent library of A&E LITERARY CLASSICS. From the 19th century to the Roaring Twenties and Colonial Africa to Tsarist Russia, A&E presents eight original productions that are sure to enthrall any sophisticated romantic. Featuring topnotch production values and powerful performances by today's brightest stars, coupled with stunning cinematography and masterful screenplays adapted from the world's greatest novels, A&E LITERARY CLASSICS: The Romance Collection Volume 2 is the essential 14-disc DVD collection. This Megaset contains: HORATIO HORNBLOWER: There's always time for a dalliance or two in C.S. Forester's thrilling high seas adventures. NICHOLAS NICKLEBY: Love and compassion blossom amidst hard times in Charles Dickens' great tale. VANITY FAIR: A study in contrasts, Becky and Amelia pursue love and fortune in Thackery's trenchant satire. THE FLAME TREES OF THIKA: An unforgettable true account of a young girl's coming-of-age in turn-of-the-century Africa. THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE: From cruelty to redemption, a heartrending masterpiece by Thomas Hardy. CATHERINE THE GREAT: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Omar Sharif and Jeanne Moreau star in this world-class epic. TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES: Abandoned hearts and lost virtues seek redemption in another immortal classic by Thomas Hardy. THE GREAT GATSBY: Academy Award®-winner Mira Sorvino stars in F. Scott Fitzgerald's great American classic. DVD Features: Horatio Hornblower: About C.S. Forester; Nautical Terms and Definitions; Nicholas Nickleby: Charles Dickens episode of BIOGRAPHY; The Flame Trees of Thika: Elspeth Huxley Biography and Bibliography; Cast Biographies; The Mayor of Casterbridge: Thomas Hardy Biography and Bibliography; Catherine The Great: Cast Filmographies; The Great Gatsby: F. Scott Fitzgerald episode of A&E's BIOGRAPHY; Cast Filmographies

Average customer rating:

Hardy kills another romance novel
Beautifully done
Beautiful, Faithful Adaptation of Hardy's Masterpiece
Hardy and Tess
This is one good movie

Tess of the D'Urbervilles [Region 2]
Starring: Justine Waddell , Jason Flemyng , Oliver Milburn , John McEnery , and Lesley Dunlop
Director: Ian Sharp
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items: