Tess (Classic Masterpiece Book & DVD Set) |  | Director: Roman Polanski
Actors: Nastassja Kinski, Peter Firth, Leigh Lawson, John Collin, Tony Church
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
Buy New: $34.95
as of 7/30/2010 08:00 CDT details
New (3) from $34.95
Seller: GarCorp
Rating:  53 reviews
Sales Rank: 113302
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Limited Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Unknown), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 99
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Running Time: 190 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.5 x 1.4
ISBN: 1404965483
UPC: 043396079052
EAN: 9781404965485
ASIN: B0002O7Y8K
Theatrical Release Date: December 12, 1980
Release Date: September 28, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential video
Roman Polanski adapted Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles and came up with this moody, haunting film starring Nastassia Kinski as the farm girl who is misused by the aristocrat for whom she works and who is then caught in a marriage where her initial happiness soon turns to grief. Fans of the novel may feel unpersuaded by Polanski's effort to marry Hardy's Dorset vision with his own fascination with psychosexual impulses toward survival, but the film is an often stunning thing to see, and Kinski's sensitive, intelligent performance lingers in the memory. --Tom Keogh
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 53
 Note: my 5 star rating is based on theatrical release, not on DVD transfer April 11, 2010
Jean Reece (Rochester, NY United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I haven't seen this movie since 1979 when it was first released, but it made quite an impact. The film was so gorgeous that some scenes are indelibly etched in my memory. Polanski is arguably one the the greatest living directors, and already had a resume of critically acclaimed work (Rosemary's Baby, Repulsion, The Tenant, Chinatown) by 1979. Tess represented a departure from his usual rather spare cinematic style and the arty psychological horror genre - it's a dreamy sumptuous feast for the eyes. The landscapes he creates are almost surreal in their beauty. And Nasstasja Kinski in the lead role is well cast - she just oozes innocent sensuality and seduces the camera. Yes, she was not even legal when filming began, and yes, she became sexually involved with the much older Polanski during filming, but lets put all that and other Polanski scandals aside for now. It was a different time - those kinds of affairs were not nearly as taboo. Remember Woody Allen's Manhattan? This movie, and we film lovers, deserve a high-quality DVD or blu-ray transfer of this masterpiece. C. Porter's 2004 review of the poor SE DVD transfer has made me decide not to purchase it. The reviewer also laments that we will probably not get a better transfer for another 10 years, which means we have another 4 years to wait. I have done a thorough web search and there is no mention at all about a new release. How sad!
 rotten movie February 6, 2010
J. Kim (southern california)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
HOW can Polanski justify making this movie! was it all to push kiddie porn?!! for underaged sex!!! I mean geez, everybody who watched this whole movie from beginning to end, deserves KUDOs cuz I couldn't do it, even if it's free!!! STay true to the author and history of the milking cows by DURBEY-FIELD and ALEC. And no justice to the best part in the WHOLE BOOK-- that one spot in the ceiling getting bigger and bigger as he continues to talk to Tess, then soon drips blood. OH! That best!!! The movie pandered too much for what the director and producers wanted to push for their own selfish ends by making this movie, and therefore, their true intent comes straight through, doing no justice to the key elements in the book, the cows eating GARLIC, and her always milking a bit profane with her puckered lips on the cow, and giving people the spooks, definitely off the mark in this movie! period. It needs a major remake by someone who understands the historic value of the classicism of this novel, played by actors who also understand Alec and the priests who followed Tess around at all times, including ANGEL, and her final exit through STONE-HEDGE. If everyone understood the key elements, I wouldn't say it's ROTTEN!
 POLANSKI film: 1980 September 21, 2009
Dr. Feelgood (USA)
Even though this film was well made, cinematography, and structure, adapted from the novel, along with fine acting, I still found it to be somewhat dull and slow-moving. Some might appreciate it more than I did.
Tess with a Polish accent May 22, 2009
R. Bagula (Lakeside, Ca United States)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Dishonored by her ersatz cousin , Tess has a child who dies. After some time she finds love while milking cows with an "Angel", but their marriage is spoiled by Tess telling the truth about her past.
Bad comes to worse when her father dies and the family loses their tenant
status on the farm.
Comes to marry her rich cousin to keep a roof over her Mom and siblings,
but when Angle returns sick from Brazil and searches out Tess,
the end is not a happy one.
I thought that although the staging, costuming and most of the acting
was well done, the lead was played believably.
A Masterpiece, truly a cinematic journey not to be missed! February 20, 2009
Adrian Cumming (Dallas, Texas)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
"Tess" is that rare film that transcends into an emotional journey that defines a masterpiece. This film is studied in film schools around the world because it's many artistic elements all come together...great acting, beautifully photographed scenes, music score and actress Nastassja Kinski in the title role! Don't miss it!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 53
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