Tess
A strong-willed peasant girl is sent by her father to the estate of some local aristocrats to capitalize on a rumour that their families are from the same line. This fateful visit commences an epic narrative of sex, class, betrayal, and revenge.
Director(s)
Roman Polanski
Thierry Chabert
Hugues de Laugardière
Romain Goupil
Hercules Bellville
Sylvette Baudrot
Cast & Crew
Details
Reviews
Wuchak
_**Bringing in the sheaves stuck between a demon and an angel**_ During the Long Depression of the 1870-80s in Blackmore Vale, southern England, a peasant family discovers that they are nobility and thus their oldest daughter, an extraordinarily beautiful woman (Nastassja Kinski), is sent to meet the well-to-do family. She is eventually pitted between the interest of two very different men (Leigh Lawson and Peter Firth). Roman Polanski's "Tess" (1979) is based on Thomas Hardy's 1891 novel "Tess of the d'Urbervilles." Polanski was inspired to make the film because his late wife, Sharon Tate, gave him the book suggesting it would make a great film and she was interested in playing the title role. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the last time Roman saw his pregnant wife alive as she was heading back to the USA while he stayed in Europe to complete a picture. She was murdered by the Manson psychos on August 9th, 1969. This movie is dedicated to her during the opening credits. The two male characters are basically two sides of the same bad coin: one is amoral while the other is excessively moral. There is a scene in the book where Alec shows up to talk to the workers at harvest time wearing a cape with an upturned collar and carrying a pitchfork. The symbolism is obvious. Meanwhile Angel's figurative character is plain from his name. What's the point? Just as it's possible to be excessively bad, a person can be too good. The bible makes this observation in Ecclesiastes 7:16-18. They are two extremes and both have the power to destroy the lives of those they influence. To be expected, Angel eventually seeks to make things right whereas Alec arrogantly continues in his nonchalant amorality, which ultimately ushers in doom. The immutability of this is symbolized by Stonehenge. While a lot of people eventually swing to one extreme perspective/lifestyle or another, e.g. moralist, hedonist, atheist, most people are caught somewhere in the middle, uncertain and searching, like Tess. To enjoy this piece you have to brace yourself for a movie that has the confidence to take its time and tell its tale. You'll discover Victorian curiosities, pastoral mundaneness, beauty, lust, love, idiocy, humility, penitence, arrogance and tragedy. The film runs 3 hours, 6 minutes, with the original theatrical version running 2 minutes less and the DVD 2 hours, 52 minutes. It was shot entirely in France. GRADE: A-/B+
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Tess FAQs
The directors of Tess are Roman Polanski, Thierry Chabert, Hugues de Laugardière, Romain Goupil, Hercules Bellville, and Sylvette Baudrot.
The cast of Tess includes Fred Bryant as Dairyman Crick, Keith Buckley as Postman, Tom Chadbon as Cuthbert Clare, Jacques Mathou as Harvester, Nastassja Kinski as Tess Durbeyfield, Jimmy Gardner as Pedlar, Carolyn Pickles as Marian, Peter Firth as Angel Clare, David Markham as Reverend Mr. Clare, John Moore as Postman, Forbes Collins as New Tenant, Suzanna Hamilton as Izz Huett, and more.
The duration of Tess is 2h 52 mins.
Yes. You can watch the Tess trailer on this Fanbiz page on Fanziz.
Tess was released on 06 Oct 1979.
Tess is listed under Drama and Romance on Fanbiz.
Tess has 1 review on Fanziz, with an average rating of 8.0/10. One reviewer wrote: "_**Bringing in the sheaves stuck between a demon and an angel**_ During the Long Depression of the 1870-80s in Blackmore Vale, southern England, a peasant family discovers t..."
