Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely brilliant, but...
Review: -Okay, while i absolutely adore Justine Waddell as an actor, and especially in this movie, i cannot help but think while reading these reviews that the other actors in this wonderful movie are being dismissed rather undeservingly. yes, Justine Waddell is perfect as Tess, but what of Oliver Milburn who was brilliant as Angel Clare or Jason Flemyng who was also great as Alec? The performances those two turned in at least warrant a mention, i think, so there it is. Okay, so far this has been more rave than review, but here it goes... This movie was a brilliant and sparkling portrayal of Hardy's classic. The scenes, especially those between Angel and Tess are played in a vein Hardy would have been proud of, and although i agree Jason Flemyng makes Alec rather too likeable all other changes and/or ommissions in the plot never detract from the enjoyability of the story. All in all a decidedly worthwhile film.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful adaptation of classic Hardy novel!
Review: A&E are the BEST at classic novel adaptations, and Tess of the D'urbervilles is no different. The movie is brilliant, and Oliver Milburn is perfect as Angel Clare, adding just the right touches of humor and tragedy in his portrayal. Justine Waddell is also perfect as Tess Durbyfield, the tragic heroine who loves Angel, but is prevented from happiness by social convention. The movie stays very true to Hardy's novel, and I was very satisfied with all the portrayals. The movie is also packaged beautifully, with a gorgeous box presentation. I bought this movie without seeing it first, and I did not regret the decision. I highly recommend this adaptation for everyone who loves a classic story of love and loss!
Rating:
Summary: If Hardy saw this......
Review: A&E is known in my household for good films, so when I heard word they were doing Tess, I read the book immediatly. The movie I saw was different than I expected, but I thought it was an impecible interrpretation and that they captured all the worth of the novel. The acting's so compelling it distracts the eye from the praise-worthy cinematography, and Justine Waddel's my new favorite acctress.
Rating:
Summary: "I must tell you of my past..."
Review: A&E's "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" is an excellent made-for-TV adaptation of the Thomas Hardy novel. A powerful story about the true nature of honor and the futileness of running from one's past, "Tess" is no less relevant today than when it was written over one hundred years ago.Justine Waddell stars as Tess Durbyfield, an innocent country girl who goes to live with wealthy relatives. After becoming pregnant by her rakish cousin (well played by the smirking Jason Flemyng) and then losing her baby, she attempts to embark on a new life with the upright Angel Claire (gorgeous Oliver Milburn). Fate, however, has no intention of letting her off the hook. Great performances (especially by Milburn, in a tricky role), lush photography and good production values make this well worth checking out. The plot follows the book fairly faithfully, with only a few minor changes, and the Hardy spirit remains intact. Highly recommended, especially for fans of A&E's Literary Series. GRADE: A-
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful adaptation of classic Hardy novel!
Review: A&E are the BEST at classic novel adaptations, and Tess of the D'urbervilles is no different. The movie is brilliant, and Oliver Milburn is perfect as Angel Clare, adding just the right touches of humor and tragedy in his portrayal. Justine Waddell is also perfect as Tess Durbyfield, the tragic heroine who loves Angel, but is prevented from happiness by social convention. The movie stays very true to Hardy's novel, and I was very satisfied with all the portrayals. The movie is also packaged beautifully, with a gorgeous box presentation. I bought this movie without seeing it first, and I did not regret the decision. I highly recommend this adaptation for everyone who loves a classic story of love and loss!
Rating:
Summary: "I must tell you of my past..."
Review: A&E's "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" is an excellent made-for-TV adaptation of the Thomas Hardy novel. A powerful story about the true nature of honor and the futileness of running from one's past, "Tess" is no less relevant today than when it was written over one hundred years ago. Justine Waddell stars as Tess Durbyfield, an innocent country girl who goes to live with wealthy relatives. After becoming pregnant by her rakish cousin (well played by the smirking Jason Flemyng) and then losing her baby, she attempts to embark on a new life with the upright Angel Claire (gorgeous Oliver Milburn). Fate, however, has no intention of letting her off the hook. Great performances (especially by Milburn, in a tricky role), lush photography and good production values make this well worth checking out. The plot follows the book fairly faithfully, with only a few minor changes, and the Hardy spirit remains intact. Highly recommended, especially for fans of A&E's Literary Series. GRADE: A-
Rating: 
Summary: Close to Perfect Depiction
Review: After reading Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles, twice, I was expecting a lot from this A&E production. While watching the movie I was intrigued by the emotions set forth by the characters. I feel as though the cast was very well picked, especially Tess, Alec, and Angel. Their portrayals of the characters were very well done, and all three fit the parts perfectly.
One of the few problems I had with this movie was the length of the different segments. I am aware that this movie is modeled after the three-hundred some page book, but I felt that the first part, more specifically Tess's adventures before the dairy and meeting with Angel, drug on. Then as soon as Tess and Angel began a relationship, the movie rushed through until after Angel left Tess.
The second problem I had with this depiction of Hardy's novel was Tess's struggle with Alec. While reading the novel it seemed like Tess was constantly putting up a fight with Alec, in regards to his sexual innuendos. Where as, in the movie Tess seemed to give in to Alec without putting up any type of struggle. Especially during the scene in the woods, when Alec takes advantage of her.
When I read the novel, I did feel sorry for Tess in a sense, because of all she went through, but I never got fully in to her character. Where as in the movie I was completely engulfed by her, and I felt more sympathy towards her and Angel. Both actor/actresses captured the emotions and the feelings that their characters were feeling. They also did a wonderful job at following the dialect of that time period.
All in all I feel as though this movie was a good illustration of Hardy's 19th century novel. Although, I would not recommend watching the movie prior to reading, but watching it afterwards is a good way to clarify any unclear parts of the book. Again, I would like to give kudos to Justine Waddell (Tess), Oliver Milburn (Angel), and Jason Flemyng (Alec), for their excellent portrayals of Hardy's characters.
Rating:
Summary: Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Review: An excellent adaptation of Thomas Hardy's tragic novel. Superb acting and development of tone.
Rating:
Summary: The Music......WE WANT THE MUSIC
Review: Help me perswade LWT and A&E to release the soundtrack. Alan Lisks score captures the poetic wessex country side along with Tess's missery and hope. It is better than any James Horner score. Just listen to it. Please email me if you have any ideas. I'm about to write to LWT as I live in England.
Rating:
Summary: Very beautiful, sad and disturbing.
Review: How can life be so cruel. Tess was beautiful, intelligent, sweet, innocent and good. Yet, she was plagued with hardship all of her short life. The wedding night was such a tearjerker and the final scene at the Stonehenge was just so so sad. All of the actors were excellent. Too bad the movie couldn't expand the characters of Angel's family as in the book.
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