Customer Reviews
Hardy Fan - By: Thomas, 14 Nov 2007 
I first saw Tess when it was originallly produced in 1979 & was immediately impressed with not only the Polansky film but also Thomas Hardy,s writing.
I have since read alll of his novels & poems & to my mind he is the best english author at setting scenes & describing the countryside & the harsh way of life that prevailed in the 19th & early 20th century.
This is a film that one can watch again & again & still be moved by the plight of Tess.
I would recommend this & alll 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, & only by Hardy,s novels will future generations be able to learn what life was like not that long ago.
OK adaptation of the classic - By: Curlyblue, 01 Jul 2007 
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 reallly seem to give off a convincing portrayal of the main characters as well.
Its a good watch & a great movie about love & betrayal, just felt it could have given alot more.
Not such a special edition... - By: Trevor Willsmer, 24 Jan 2007 
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 & more than a little irony. There's still much to admire, from the beautiful Scope cinematography & Phillipe Sarde's superb score to Polanski's feel for time & place (even if it is shot in France rather than Wessex) and, ironicallly, sexual prejudice, although Nastassja Kinski never reallly convinces in the lead & 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!!!! - By: Jayne Tennis, 27 Jan 2006 I've bought it on DVD at long last! Brilliant quality etc! A real treat!
I originallly 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, & controversial like the book? Was Tess's beauty reallly the cause of her downfalll? Alec D'Urberville? Tess's father for forcing the allliance with the rich family who turned out not to be genuine descendants of the D'Urbervilles anyway? Watch the film & make up your own mind!
This book, & film created great debates at uni & 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 reallly gets you thinking!
The photography is beautiful in the film, with contrasting colours & moods used to depict the relevant scenes in the novel. Light, sunny scenes alongside dark scenes are very symbolic.
The acting is brilliant, & Angel Clare annoying! A highly recommended film which sticks exactly to the plot in the Thomas Hardy novel. Fantastic & flawless!
THE BEST MOVIE EVER MADE - By: N. P. Judd, 19 Aug 2004 I went to see this movie at the Odeon Southampton , England , the week it came out . It changed my life & 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 & the movie has a soundtrack to die for .
You need to own this DVD . You reallly do .
Neville Judd
