Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Justine Waddell is truly brilliant in this skillful adaptation of Thomas Hardy's famous classic. Her "Tess" is breathtakingly beautiful without being at all self-conscious of her looks, and is genuinely charming and adoring. Whenever Tess cries (and she does that A LOT due to her tragic circumstances), it's impossible not to be affected or to reach quickly for the box of Kleenex. This is a sad and compelling story set in the later part of the 19th century, about a simple country girl named Tess who is the oldest child in a poor family with many children. Due to her family's poverty, she is forced, at 16, to find work (i.e. taking care of the fowl farm) at the great House of a family called the D'Urbervilles (whom Tess and her family are led to believe are their distant relations). Naive Tess (who then knows nothing about the "dangers" of men), is quickly courted and seduced by the young lord of the House, Alec (who has set his sights on her since the first day they meet), although she doesn't love him. In her distress, she later packs up and leaves the House to return home; both Tess and Alec not realizing that she is already carrying his child. The child is born but later dies of illness. Tess leaves home a second time and finds work as a dairymaid in a distant place where she meets and falls in love with Angel Clare, the handsome and well-respected son of a clergyman. Angel, who is unaware of Tess's "past", falls in love with her and holds her in awe for her virtue, beauty, grace and goodness of heart. Tess tries to tell him of her past, but each time, fate cruelly intervenes and she never gets her chance... until it is too late. On their wedding night, Angel confesses to Tess that he has been promiscuous in the past and begs for her forgiveness. Tess readily forgives him and with this opening provided by Angel, she proceeds to tell him of her past relations with Alec and the resultant child, truly believing that Angel will forgive her as he himself has been forgiven for his own past sin. But this is not to be.... and great tragedy (Hardy-style) ensues. I loved the novel, and find this adaptation to be one of the most supreme of period dramas ever produced. The casting, acting, directing, cinematography and screenplay are simply perfect. I particularly enjoyed the scenes where Alec is teasing and courting Tess e.g. the very picturesque and charming moment at the strawberry garden. It is also endearing and funny to watch Alec teaching Tess how to whistle ("whistling" being necessary as his mother, the eccentric matriach of the House, insists that Tess whistles to her caged birds every morning as part of her duties). Another funny and delightful scene is when Alec asks Tess for a good-bye kiss after failing to persuade her to stay on at the House. She immediately offers him her cheek (for the kiss), glares angrily at him and says: "See how well you have mastered me!" Inevitably, there are slight deviations from the novel e.g. Tess's sister, Liza-Lu does not appear in the last scene (as in the book). Also, Alec's character is portrayed in a better light in the movie i.e. he frequently shows his sincerity in loving Tess and persistently offering to take care of her. He has many faults.... but he does love her and has never abandoned her once he finds out about her destitute situation. Can't say the same for Angel's character, though. He can't accept Tess because he deems Alec to be her "husband by nature" and not himself. Angel may also be suffering from broken dreams and a broken heart, but with his hypocrisy and evident cruelty, he hurts and crushes Tess more than Alec ever does. This series (4-hour long) is a masterpiece one can watch over and over again, despite its tragic storyline. I love the theme song which is a beautiful melody that stayed in my head for days! In my personal opinion, Justine Waddell deserves an Oscar for her brilliant performance, and one fine production like this is worth 10 of Hollywood's blockbuster-"Titanic"-type movies. Just watch this video and see if you don't agree!