TESS is my choice for most ignored and underrated entry in the Criterion Collection. It almost never gets even mentioned. Thanks for your appreciation!
Tess is so good. The story and characters are amazing because so was the book, Hardy's best work probably. But the costumes, art design, casting, acting, editing, locations are stunning in the film. Angel loved the idea of Tess so when the illusion is shattered he can't cope with it. Yes it's a long film but it has to be to get all the story in. There's a subtle transition from summer to winter too as the tone changes to bleaker at the end, everything looks drab and less bright. Hardy seemed to believe in fatalism, Tess is doomed basically.
Watched this wonderful film in the ‘80s & read the book. I loved how you brought up the natural world shaping the lives of the characters - as did Thomas Hardy in the book with Tess’s suffering occurring during the bleak winter days. The aptly named Angel is the idealist who is shattered by Tess’s past and becomes distraught of what society might think if they find out. The story is brimming with themes incl. class, the cruelty of society Judgement, shame, narrow-mindedness from the Church and the wretchedness of poverty.
I haven't seen this film, but the novel was my favorite for about a year, until it was supplanted by The Brothers Karamazov, and it's still my second-favorite. I haven't seen any adaptations, but I always heard this was the best one, and I've passively looked for it over the years, with no luck. After watching this video, however, I looked it up online and found out it's only on the Criterion Collection. I'll have to get it during this Barnes & Noble sale and get back to you after I watch it. As far as the book goes, one reason for the sense of injustice the reader feels is that Hardy places you firmly on Tess's side through making the situations she's in so overbearing, and most of the other characters are--either intentionally or unintentionally--obstacles that serve to prevent Tess from escaping her circumstances. There's a terrible sense of fatalism all throughout the story that makes you feel sorry for her, while also providing great drama, and it is the Universe/fate/God/whatever you want to call it hovering over Tess so sadistically--or perhaps uncaringly--and the other characters abandoning her to loneliness that makes you empathize with her and want her to find happiness. What do you think of the book? Are there significant differences between it and the film?
thanks for asking. it's been almost 20 years since I read it, so I don't really remember much. typical Hardy. The movie conveys all that you discuss in the second paragraph.
Tess would be in my top five favourite films. I've loved it since it was shown to us in English at school more than twenty years ago. Glad you and others appreciate it also, and thanks for taking the time to analyse!
They don't make films like that anymore. It's gorgeous, so well performed & no PC messaging. Just watched it 2 days ago. One of my favourites. And the music is amazing too. I feel we've gone back to that nastiness in life too.
It's beautiful movie to look at. But the story is so darn depressing to me. Nevertheless, I have watched it two or three times in the last 25 years. Thank you for another excellent commentary on a great movie.
I was in love with Nastasja Kinski and of course I watched Tess as a fifteen year old boy, when it startet 1980 in German cinemas. It was hard to stomach and I never watched it again, but it left a big mark on me. A great movie.
It's a magnificent film, just sublime. Polanski has an unerring eye and Tess is a supreme example of cinema at its zenith in terms of Art, philosophy, cinematography.
Very nice review! I agree with you, that Tess is one of the best period films out there. Sadly I feel it's a bit overlooked from Polanski's filmography, and people don't talk too much about it nowadays (even though it was a success back in the 70s).
@@LearningaboutMovies Yes! As I was watching the film I felt it had many similarities aesthetically with Barry Lyndon. Haven't watched Days of Heaven, I will check it out thanks!
A reverent adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel, this film marries painterly cinematography and unhurried pacing to create an epic ode to perserverance. I give this an 8.3/10. This one is probably the most overlooked out of all on Polanski's films. This film is a masterpiece on its own right. Dr. Josh you're always gave amazing reviews, keep it up. Thank you so much. 😊😊👍👍
I'm a college professor in the US. I teach "English," which means literature and writing courses. Early American literature, science fiction, and intro to film are three of them.
If one reads Jude the Obscure first then Tess, it may not seem as depressing. I am gaga over Thomas Hardy novels. He gets it. I lent the movie to a friend who hated it. I thought to myself, "Is my judgement that lousy? How could I have missed all its failures, shortcomings and bad moviemaking?" Now I feel I was right to love it and that my friend's judgment was impaired.
Its beautifully directed by Polanski. When Roman is on, he is very good. And I mean very. He directed this in the Renoir style, that is the long take, in which you can place a whole sequence in one scene. The last scene is terrifically composed. It is much better than Barry Lyndon in many ways.
One of my favorite parts of "Tess" is the opening 5-10 minutes as we watch a bunch of musicians and girls sliwly approach the camera. Ultimately we watch the people pass by and we watch them continue on their way throught a crossroads. Finally the camera pans to left and we see a man watching them as they depart. Then the camera looks back the way the man approach and we discover a man on a horse who greets the man. I thought that was one of the film's most inspired monents.✔✔✔
An old myth about Stonehenge (location of final scene in the film) is that these were dancing giants turned to stone. The musical theme from the country dance reappears in the end credits, too. A very obvious symmetry if you know about the myth. Brilliance.
Polanski committed the crime before he made this movie. He was actually going to direct the Dino De Laurentiis' production of Hurricane (1979), and this was because he was granted a stay to complete the project before hos evaluation period, under the terms of the plea agreement. However, thanks to a photographer who snapped a few pictures of him surrounded by women, he was called back to the States, because the judge thought he was being spiteful (something to that effect), and he was put into prison for his evaluation period which was originally 90 days, but then he was released after 42 days. The judge was suggesting to Polanski's lawyers that he would have him imprisoned and deported, and once Polanski heard this, that is when he went into exile. Shortly afterward, he began work on Tess, since by this point, he was removed the Hurricane production.
I know I shouldn't feel pity for him but rather for the girl who was his victim but I can't help but think that people cannot always differentiate between Polanski - the filmmaker and Polanski - the human being. Thus his personal life affected his fanbase forever. He has followers but rarely fans. Also, as an 18 years old boy this thought of never being able to redeem yourself in the eyes of society really scares me to death. Like sometimes when I hear someone doing an evil deed I think ,,how is he going to redeem himself/change after this deed? instead of just noticing ,,what a horrible deed".
This is a fantastic movie. I also love Philippe Sarde’s score for it as well. It lends such a tragic mood to the picture. I think The Tenant and Tess are two of Polanski’s best.
Love your channel and great review as usual. What you said about polanski its very interesting: how can someone make this film and that horrible crime? Its a paradox and its impossible to forget it while watching his films. Can you make a video about 1900 and war and peace (king vidor and bondarchuk)?
Shame you have to preface the video with how vile you feel Polanski’s actions were. You didn’t need to. Of course they were. Liking this movie doesn’t mean you approve of his character. Although, I know some idiots will equate the both.
Many of us are unable to watch movies made by child rapists because of how desperately traumatic the experience can be. There's nothing idiotic about that at all.
The Key Is when Alec tells her: "You wear your pride like a hair shirt... Why you've Always been attracted to misery?" (Not accurate quote)... And the ending, in the Stonehenge-like Place where they sacrificed to the sun... Why Tess' Destiny was to suffer? Her aristocrat Blood has something to do with It? Why shes so attracted by death also? Would like to know your answers sir. Great video though
Hey, professor. I liked your video. It got me thinking of how sexism is everywhere. I think you are right, women are treated like property by these men. It is terrible for everyone when half of humanity is treated like pets or disposable people. It's still happening in some places in the world. All that stuff about Polanski makes want to puke. I don't know if I can watch his movies now. Seems like it would be wrong to pay for a ticket when I know he raped a girl. Do you disagree? Let me know. Great video. Thanks.
thank you. I think I said in the video that great artists can be moral monsters, and yet their art is a separate creature that might still enlighten somehow. The history of the film industry is littered with such creeps. I wouldn't blame you for not paying him or anybody else. These days you can find many or most movies for free -- RU-vid, your local library, the free streaming services that have ads.
is the video viewable for you or not? I realized recently that 28fps is doing this for some reason, and 59fps doesn't. Better do the latter. I am figuring out this camera!
@@LearningaboutMovies The footage is a little bit choppy and I can see that the audio is slightly delayed. It might because you're recording directly to your computer instead of directly to the camera. I recommend you try recording to your camera directly then transfer it to you computer and sync the audio in Premiere. The fps shouldn't matter. 30 fps or 60 fps is pretty standard. I personally prefer 24 fps for a more movie/cinematic look.
This is a beautiful film, but it's not the best adaptation of the novel, IMO. That honor goes to the 1998 A&E miniseries. This movie has the advantage of being a feature film (the two later adaptations were made for television, while the two silent film versions are lost), so the cinematography is superior. The two later TV miniseries also had the benefit of being shot on location in Dorset; while the France countryside is gorgeous, it doesn't really have that "Dorset" stamp on it. By the way, Polanski drugged, raped, and sodomized that 13-year-old girl. She has always said that she did not consent, although she says she has forgiven him. Polanski also claimed to have been "involved" with Nastassja Kinski (the lead actress in this film) while she was underage, although she denies this. This does make the film uncomfortable to watch, but as someone who loves Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, I like to see it being portrayed on the big or small screen.
@@ilovemovies725 Hardy was also an early feminist. Tess fights against Alec's attempts to possess her as long as possible. She tells him that she will never love him and wants nothing to do with him. Yes, Tess is trapped by the standards of the day, but with all the hardships she faces, Tess tries to remain independent, even as she longs for Angel's return. She's doomed, but she's also a fighter at times. That's one of the things that makes her such a compelling character. Kinski, as good as she was in the title role, was lacking that department for the most part.
@@ilovemovies725 Tess was aware that she was being treated unfairly; in her last letter to Angel, she rips him for mistreating her and abandoning her. She also strikes Alec months before she kills him. She fought back when she could. Tess is a multilayered character, which is one of the reasons why all the actresses who have portrayed her were so drawn to the role. Polanski prefers women to be passive (see his marriage to Sharon Tate for emphasis) but that doesn't change the fact that Tess is at times a fighter and sees the injustices that she suffers. Of course, that was Polanski's choice to not incorporate that. I said Hardy was an early feminist, not that Tess was. Given that this story is about a young girl who is raped, I'd say Polanski's "judiciary problems" are very relevant, considering he committed the crime himself prior to making this film. Polanski took some ridiculous liberties in terms of how Alec came back into Tess's life and omits some key scenes. Television is just as important and worthy as film, and artistry can be just as evident. Yes, one can compare film to TV, and yes, TV productions can be superior, include more of the story, etc.
Love and hate the story-movie was well done hate Roman Polanski what a scumbag…proves some of those great hellywood directors sure yeah they are skilled at their job but evil in their life…they will get theirs on the other side….poor Tess’s of the world it’s better to be born plain btw…glad sometimes that I was. Less hardship when you are easily ignored…poor Tess. Hardy probably wrote of people and situations he saw betchya
I had to go to see this in high school, and was traumatised by the lionising of a child rapist director. Now I know I should have declined the school trip.
Even the TV series was better than this never mind other 2 movies much superior than Polinsky,big mouth movie critic,find some decent profesion..Prof.Dr.Nasir Fazal Cambridge
