Though not one of Polanski's best features, this adaptation of Thomas Hardy's challenging novel, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, is intelligent if flawed, but it's nice to look at due to excellent production values, particularly cinematography.
Tess (1980)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:9
Fresh:8
Rotten:1
Average Rating:7.6/10
Synopsis: Based on the 1891 novel by Thomas Hardy. Tess Darbeyville, a beautiful young peasant, seeks her fortune with the wealthy D'Urbervilles, whom her family believes to be distant relatives. Tess's... Based on the 1891 novel by Thomas Hardy. Tess Darbeyville, a beautiful young peasant, seeks her fortune with the wealthy D'Urbervilles, whom her family believes to be distant relatives. Tess's tragic fate is sealed the moment the manipulative master of the house seduces and impregnates her. She returns home, bears the child -- who dies shortly thereafter -- and her ashamed family banishes her from their home. Tess finds work and shelter on a dairy farm, where she falls in love with Angel Clare, a pastor's son. The two are engaged to be married. However, the evening before the wedding, Tess knows that she must reveal her sordid past to her beloved Angel. When he hears the truth, will Angel still desire to be her husband? Or will Tess find herself alone once again? [More]
Starring: Nastassja Kinski, Peter Firth, Leigh Lawson, John Bett
Starring: Nastassja Kinski, Peter Firth, Leigh Lawson, John Bett
Director: Roman Polanski
Director: Roman Polanski
Story: Thomas Hardy
Reviews for Tess
Polanski is entitled to one monstrously overlong period piece, and in Tess he acquits himself satisfactorily, though the film isn't nearly the equal of its counterparts
Tess conveys the bleak determinism that makes this young woman's life so anguished.
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