Coming to PBS Masterpiece Classic Sunday, January 4 and January 11 at 9 p.m. EST, this 4-hour adaptation of Tess of the d'Urbervilles, the Thomas Hardy classic of a "pure woman faithfully presented" will tug at your heartstrings. Tess Durbeyfield lived in an age when life was repressive for women of her station. Wronged by two men, she manages to survive the best way she knows how, trying to maintain her dignity despite horrific circumstances. Published in 1891, Tess of the D'Urbervilles was so shocking that Hardy had to withold selected chapters during its first appearance in serial form.Laura Linney, Masterpiece Classic's new host, introduces the series in a warm and natural manner that viewers will find pleasing.
Gemma Arterton (Lizzy Bennet in Lost in Austen) plays Tess Durbeyfield.Tess is the eldest daughter of a poor family. In the face of near constant adverse circumstances, she holds onto her pure heart and sensitive soul.
Click here for PBS character description; here for BBC description
Eddy Redmayne (The Other Boleyn Girl) plays Angel Clare, Tess's true love.Angel is an intelligent and kind clergyman's son. Tess first sees him at a Mayday dance but he ignores her. Tess meets him again at a farm where she's working as a milkmaid and they fall deeply in love.
Click here for PBS character description; here for BBC description.
Hans Matheson (The Virgin Queen) plays Alec D'Urbervilles, Tess's obsessed tormentor.
The son of Simon Stoke and Mrs. Stoke d'Urberville, Alec d'Urberville is an heir to a fortune and the nemesis and downfall of Tess. After going to work at The Slopes - Alec's family home - Tess falls into his clutches. He is the "tragic mischief" and she is easily seduced by his apparent charm and generosity. PBS Character Description; BBC Description.
Tess Reviews:
- Vic's review at Jane Austen's World: Nice Girls Do Finish Last
I would love to see this, but we don't "do tv". Or in other words, I simply have no way to see it. I'll have to wait for it to come out on DVD and watch it that way.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nicol.
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful and I think Gemma Aterton is really growing as an actor.
What I also like is the production quality of period dramas are very good these days. I think the Colin Firth P&P really raised the bar for Historic film and TV.
Oh this is going to be good!
ReplyDeleteI watched this last night and read the book years ago..I had forgotten whether I liked it and now realize why..it's heartbreaking! I'm not sure I can watch the rest sigh...it was very well done though!
ReplyDeleteEmi
I watched this Sunday night and they've done a good job at representing the characters and telling the story. I'm loving it and very much look forward to next Sunday :)
ReplyDeleteI think it is such a tragedy that people had such small minds back then. Thankfully, some of us have evolved :)