Tess Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Girl has bad luck with dudes and everyone just assumes it’s her fault.

🍿 Tess: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Discovery of Heritage and Tess’s Journey

In Victorian England, John Durbeyfield learns he’s descended from the aristocratic d’Urberville family. Driven by the hope of social advancement, he sends his daughter Tess to the d’Urberville estate to seek employment and potentially capitalize on this newfound connection. This sets in motion a series of events that will dramatically alter Tess’s life.

Seduction and Betrayal by Alec d’Urberville

At the d’Urberville estate, Tess meets Alec, who quickly takes an interest in her. Despite Tess’s reservations, Alec seduces her, leading to a complex and ultimately damaging relationship. This encounter profoundly impacts Tess’s sense of self and her future prospects. Alec’s manipulative nature and Tess’s vulnerability create a tragic dynamic.

Love and Rejection with Angel Clare

Tess later finds employment as a milkmaid and falls in love with Angel Clare, a progressive farmer. They marry, but Tess’s past with Alec haunts her. On their wedding night, she confesses her history to Angel, hoping for understanding and forgiveness. However, Angel, blinded by societal expectations and his own idealized view of Tess, rejects her, leading to immense heartbreak.

Despair and Final Act

After her rejection by Angel, Tess endures further hardship and eventually finds herself once again entangled with Alec d’Urberville. In a moment of desperation and rage, Tess murders Alec. She reunites briefly with a now repentant Angel before being apprehended by authorities at Stonehenge.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tess Durbeyfield (Nastassja Kinski): A naive and strong-willed peasant girl whose life is marked by tragedy due to societal expectations and her interactions with two different men.
• Angel Clare (Peter Firth): A parson’s son and apprentice farmer who falls in love with Tess but struggles to reconcile her past with his idealistic vision of her.
• Alec d’Urberville (Leigh Lawson): A manipulative and opportunistic man who takes advantage of Tess’s vulnerability and impacts her life profoundly.
• John Durbeyfield (John Collin): Tess’s father, whose pursuit of aristocratic heritage sets in motion a series of unfortunate events for his daughter.
• Mrs. Durbeyfield (Rosemary Martin): Tess’s mother, who supports her husband’s aspirations, leading to Tess’s initial encounter with Alec.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tess: “There are no stars tonight. Perhaps we could have made our souls take flight together.” – Spoken during a quiet, contemplative moment, reflecting on lost opportunities and the elusiveness of happiness.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $20,093,330
• Worldwide Gross: $20,101,247

💥 Tess Reviews

Personal Review

I first watched ‘Tess’ years ago and it really stuck with me. The story is heartbreaking, and the visuals are just breathtaking. I remember being completely drawn into Tess’s world, feeling her pain and frustration. Nastassja Kinski’s performance is unforgettable, and the ending left me speechless. It’s a film that stays with you long after the credits roll.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of period dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in literary adaptations”
  • “Those who appreciate strong female characters”
  • “Anyone who enjoys visually stunning films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual assault”
  • “Violence”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Suicide”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “A visually stunning and emotionally powerful film, Polanski’s ‘Tess’ is a masterpiece of storytelling and cinematography. Nastassja Kinski delivers a captivating performance as a woman trapped by fate and societal constraints.
• The New York Times: “While some may find the pacing slow, ‘Tess’ is a beautifully realized adaptation of Hardy’s novel. The film explores themes of class, morality, and the tragic consequences of societal expectations with haunting visuals and compelling performances.

Audience Reactions

The cinematography is absolutely stunning, capturing the beauty and harshness of the English countryside.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s visual beauty, Nastassja Kinski’s performance, and its faithful adaptation of the novel.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and emotionally resonant adaptation of Hardy’s novel, though some may find the pacing slow.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Cinematography)- 1981
2. Academy Award (Best Art Direction)- 1981
3. Academy Award (Best Costume Design)- 1981
4. Golden Globe (Best Foreign Film)- 1981

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Roman Polanski dedicated the movie to his late wife, Sharon Tate, who believed the novel would make a great film. Movie was released to the theaters exactly 10 years after her untimely death.”
• “The film’s opening dedication at the start of the film states: “For Sharon”.”
• “The film was shot in France, substituting for South-West England because Polanski was wanted on sex-related charges in the United States and could have been extradited from England.”

🖥️ How to Watch Tess?

Tess is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for streaming options, as availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Tess, you might like these similar films:

• Barry Lyndon (1975): Both are visually stunning period dramas with a focus on social class and the tragic consequences of ambition.
• Far From the Madding Crowd (2015): Another adaptation of a Thomas Hardy novel exploring similar themes of love, social expectations, and rural life in Victorian England.
• The Piano (1993): Both films feature strong female characters navigating societal constraints and complex relationships in a historical setting.

🛒 Tess Related Products

• Tess of the d’Urbervilles (Penguin Classics): The classic novel by Thomas Hardy, explore the full tragic beauty and moral complexities of Tess’ story.
• Tess [Blu-ray]: Experience the stunning visuals of Polanski’s masterpiece in high definition. A must-have for any film collector and fan of classic cinema. Excellent picture and sound quality in 2:35.
• Tess Movie Poster Print: A high-quality print of the original movie poster. Perfect for decorating a home theater or adding a touch of classic cinema to any room.
• The Complete Thomas Hardy Collection: This collection is a treasure for literature lovers. Immerse yourself in the world of Victorian England.

🎧 Soundtrack

Tess features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Tess (Main Theme)” – performed by Philippe Sarde
• “The D’Urberville Coach” – performed by Philippe Sarde

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Nastassja Kinski in Tess

Ever wondered what made Nastassja Kinski’s performance in Tess so iconic? This clip from the Criterion Collection really highlights her brilliance – prepare to be mesmerized!

TESS Excerpt

Struggling to grasp the complex plot of Tess? This excerpt perfectly summarizes the story and its themes – plus, it gives you a taste of the film’s overall vibe!

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