Tess (1979 film)

Tess (1979 film) is a drama film directed by Roman Polanski, based on the novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. The film stars Nastassja Kinski as Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman living in Wessex, England, in the late 19th century, and features Peter Firth as Angel Clare, a parson's son who falls in love with her. The film was produced by Claude Berri and Timothy Burrill, and features a screenplay by Gérard Brach, John Brownjohn, and Roman Polanski. The film premiered at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d'Or.

Plot

The film tells the story of Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman living in Wessex, England, in the late 19th century, who is forced to navigate a complex web of relationships and social expectations. The film follows Tess Durbeyfield as she meets Alec d'Urberville, a wealthy and charismatic man who becomes infatuated with her, and Angel Clare, a parson's son who falls in love with her. The film explores themes of love, class, and social status, and features a range of characters, including Joan Durbeyfield, John Durbeyfield, and Rev. James Clare. The film is set in a range of locations, including Marlott, Talbothays Dairy, and Stonehenge, and features a range of cultural references, including Wessex, Dorset, and Somerset.

Production

The film was produced by Claude Berri and Timothy Burrill, and features a screenplay by Gérard Brach, John Brownjohn, and Roman Polanski. The film was shot on location in England and France, and features a range of cinematographic techniques, including landscape photography and portrait photography. The film's score was composed by Philippe Sarde, and features a range of musical instruments, including the piano and the violin. The film's editing was handled by Alastair McIntyre and Tom Priestley, and features a range of editing techniques, including cross-cutting and dissolve. The film was distributed by Columbia Pictures, and premiered at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d'Or.

Cast

The film features a range of actors, including Nastassja Kinski as Tess Durbeyfield, Peter Firth as Angel Clare, and Leigh Lawson as Alec d'Urberville. The film also features a range of supporting actors, including Ariel Besse as Marian, Caroline Embling as Retrograde, and Patsy Rowlands as Mrs. Durbeyfield. The film's cast includes a range of British actors, including John Bett and Tony Church, as well as a range of French actors, including Brigitte Bardot and Catherine Deneuve. The film's cast has been praised for their performances, with Nastassja Kinski receiving particular acclaim for her portrayal of Tess Durbeyfield.

Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising its cinematography, direction, and performances. The film holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 83%, based on 23 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The film has been praised by a range of critics, including Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times, who gave the film 4 out of 4 stars, and Vincent Canby of The New York Times, who praised the film's cinematography and direction. The film has also been praised by a range of organizations, including the National Board of Review, which named it one of the top 10 films of 1979, and the American Film Institute, which named it one of the greatest films of all time.

Awards and nominations

The film received a range of awards and nominations, including six Academy Award nominations, including Best Director for Roman Polanski and Best Actress for Nastassja Kinski. The film won three César Awards, including Best Film and Best Director for Roman Polanski. The film also received a range of other awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Film. The film has been recognized by a range of organizations, including the Library of Congress, which selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry, and the British Film Institute, which named it one of the greatest films of all time. Category:1979 films