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Movies / On DVD / Tess
Tess

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Tess (1980)

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Reviews Counted:9

Fresh:8

Rotten:1

Average Rating:7.6/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 52 mins

Genre: Dramas

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

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Tess

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1 - 14 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/24/03
Channel 4 Film
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
11/06/03
Andy Klein
Andy Klein
Los Angeles CityBeat

No review available.

comment Comment
12/19/03
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

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.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
01/08/07
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Tess conveys the bleak determinism that makes this young woman's life so anguished.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
01/29/04
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

No review available.

comment Comment
09/24/04
Jake Euker
Jake Euker
F5 (Wichita, KS)

Gorgeous, sumptuous, and quietly intense masterpiece.

comment Comment
10/15/03
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

No review available.

comment Comment
02/07/05
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
10/23/04
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
10/03/04
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com
N/R

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Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
11/22/04
Hollywood Reporter
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
01/01/00
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
N/R

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Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
New York Times
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1 - 14 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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