Watch Tess of the D'Urbervilles

In 1998, the adaptation of Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles by director Ian Sharp hit the big screen. This classic story takes place in England in the late 19th century, and follows the life of Tess, played by Justine Waddell, a young woman who aspires to improve her circumstances and provide for her family. When her father dies, Tess is sent to live with her wealthy relatives, the D'Urbervilles, who promise to provide a better life for her.

Soon enough, Tess becomes the object of desire of Alec, played by Jason Flemyng, the head of the D'Urberville family. Despite her initially rejecting his advances, Tess eventually gives into Alec's charm, which leads to a tragic turn of events that changes her life forever. Even though Tess becomes pregnant, Alec refuses to marry her, and she is left deserted and humiliated. Tess then decides to travel to a neighboring village to work as a dairy maid, where she meets and falls in love with Angel Clare, played by Oliver Milburn.

Angel is of a different social class than Tess, but the couple's love for each other ultimately wins out. They get married and start to build a life together, but later on, Tess makes the decision to reveal her past to Angel, who is driven to leave her in disgust. Devastated by her husband's rejection, Tess is forced to rethink her life and the events that have led her to her current situation.

Throughout the movie, Sharp does a good job of portraying the harsh realities of life in rural England during that time period. The atmosphere is often bleak, and the landscape is barren and unforgiving. The cinematography captures this with beautiful shots of misty moors, rolling hills, and unending fields. The costumes and sets are also impressive, perfectly transporting the viewer back to the late 1800s.

In terms of acting, Waddell does an excellent job of portraying Tess as a complex and multifaceted character. She is both strong and vulnerable, and her internal struggles are palpable throughout the film. Flemyng is also strong in his role as Alec d'Urberville, making him a complex and somewhat sympathetic character, despite his actions. Milburn's performance as Angel is more subdued, which works to his advantage as he plays the character as someone who is reserved and cautious, but still capable of deep love.

One complaint that some viewers may have is the pacing of the movie. At just under three hours, the adaptation can feel long-winded at times, especially given the slow pace of some of the scenes. However, fans of the novel will appreciate that the filmmakers included many of the details and plot points of Hardy's original work, making this a faithful adaptation.

Overall, Sharp's adaptation of Tess of the D'Urbervilles is a beautifully shot, well-acted film that captures the essence of Thomas Hardy's classic novel. The story is both romantic and devastating, leaving its viewers with a sense of melancholy long after the film ends. While it may not be the most action-packed movie out there, it is a solid adaptation that does justice to its source material.

Tess of the D'Urbervilles is a 1998 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 57 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.