Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous movie!
Review: The acting is wonderful! The story is classic! The writing is fantastic! The scenery is beautiful! This is a high quality movie!

Rating:
Summary: Contrarian Reviewer
Review: The antagonist in this production is viewed in a much more sympathetic light than the author portrayed him. This, to me, is what gives this movie far less emotional impact than the novel. Also, the omission of the younger sister leaves out another important emotional element!

Rating:
Summary: A fabulous adaptation of a terrible book
Review: The BBC versions of literary classics are always true to the book (including characters, setting and emotions) and this movie is no different. The scenery is breathtaking, the acting fabulous.
So if I liked this movie so much, why give it only 2 stars? Because while I loved how the movie looked and felt, I really disliked the actual story. A commentary on society from the obviously troubled author Hardy, this story is very dark and depressing. Poor Tess never had a chance against her circumstances - the ending is no surprise.
So I have to say - if you liked the book or enjoy Hardy anyway, watch this - if you only want to watch another great BBC film - watch Pride and Prejudice!

Rating:
Summary: Great movie!
Review: The first time I saw Tess was when I caught it on A&E and I immediately became engrossed with the love story. To me, Tess is one of the greatest heriones in all literature and I was pleased to see a film version of an old classic portrayed so elegantly. If you are looking for an enjoyable movie, I sincerely recommend Tess.

Rating:
Summary: Gloomy story
Review: There is nothing interesting or uplifting in this movie. No heart and soul. A complete waste of money. A movie that you think may get better but never does.

Rating:
Summary: True to the novel
Review: This adaptation of the novel really brings the both the story and FEELING of the book to the screen. Excellent casting and acting - again, all to present the characters as in the novel. In particular, Justine Waddells' portrayal of Tess is much more "three dimensional" than Kinski's good performance in the Polanski film version. I bought this DVD without ever seeing the program on A and E - I was not disappointed. For those who enjoyed the book, both this and the earlier Polanski version are well worth seeing.

Rating:
Summary: Buy the VHS instead
Review: This is a very good adaptation of the book, however the DVD quality is bad and I'm kicking myself for not buying the VHS

Rating:
Summary: This is the greatest movie I have ever seen
Review: This is one of the most powerful and unforgettable movies I have seen. I watch it over and over again and can't stop thinking about it. Everyone involved in this production should feel so proud. The brilliant acting, beautiful and emotional music, scenery, and just about everything else was so exceptional. I hope to see more fine productions like this in the near future. I also hope to see these great actors in some kind of production again very soon. Thomas Hardy's novel truly comes to life in this must-see movie. This movie is beyond compare.

Rating:
Summary: This is one of the best movies I've ever seen!
Review: This movie is a beautiful adaptation of a Thomas Hardy's novel. It has superb casting with a wonderful performance by Justine Waddel as Tess. In addition to the breathtaking scenery and beautiful music, the script follows the book faithfully. This is the one movie that I've watched more than five times!

Rating:
Summary: As faithful to the book as a movie can be.
Review: This movie is absolutely beautiful. It's heart-wrenching as well as heartwarming, and it really portrays with great accuracy the hatred that Hardy had of the industrialization destroying England as the "sinfulness" of her relationship with Alec D'Urberville destroys the heroine. The movie captures very effectively the tragedy of Tess' loves; both of her men failed her, but Angel failed her more as he could not forgive her even when he had done the same thing. The final part, in which she is driven to desperation, is believable and realistic. Justine Waddell shines!