SnoopyStyle It's Victorian England. Poor country girl Tess Durbeyfield (Gemma Arterton) is told that she is descended from the noble D'Urberville house. She is torn between two men. Angel Clare (Eddie Redmayne) is a well-meaning gentleman from a religious family of its time. Alec D'Urberville (Hans Matheson) is the cruel supposed-cousin. Tess' father is a loving failure. As she struggles in the unforgiving world, she is befriended by the other milkmaids Izz Huett (Jodie Whittaker), Retty, and Marian.This is competently made for a TV mini-series. Arterton has the alluring beauty and the defiant sadness. There may be other colors that she fails to fill in the eyes of some Thomas Hardy fans but she's perfectly good to me. Redmayne has a fragile goodness nature which is very helpful. This is a female suffering melodrama along the Lifetime mode but with more costumes, more British, and more depth. This is a four-part mini-series. The fourth part does struggle to wrap everything up. The melodrama climax gets a bit cringy. It may not satisfy everybody but it has enough worthwhile.

sanjin_9632 I read Thomas Hardy's TODU when i was 18 for the first and last time. I have to admit I forgot most of it, but as I was watching this series, it all gradually came back to me. I remembered why I loved the novel so much back then. Yes, it is dramatic and yes, it may not be anyone's cup of tea, but if you're into classics, this might be right up your alley. Once again, the BBC did a fine job adapting Tess for the small screen, but I'm not going to get into details as much, because one should experience this series for oneself.One thing I'd like to mention is the lovely performance by Gemma Arterton, not dismissing the wonderful performances by the whole cast. I may be biased because, to me, she's one of the most beautiful and talented actresses the UK has produced in the recent past. I've got to admit I'm not a big fan of Eddie Redmayne, but nonetheless a fitting choice for the role of the gentle young man from a wealthy aristocratic family, and Tess' love interest, Mr. Clare.All in all, a great job. An absolute delight. 8.1/10

cnycitylady BBC has done it again, and has out done any and every other book to film translation they have ever done. With their Tess of the D'Urbervilles mini series they elegantly translate the book and all of its intricate characters beautifully on screen. Gemma Arterton was perhaps the only person in the world who could capture the beauty, innocence and tenderness that is Tess Durbyfield and Eddie Redmayne was the manifestation of Angel Claire himself. The chemistry between the two actors could not be found or duplicated anywhere else. They were so true to the portrayals of the characters that you would think that they were actually in love with each other if you were to meet them in the street. BBC usually stays true to the book changing very little and only if they have to, but here for Tess of the D'Urbervilles they change almost nothing and if such changes were implicated it would literally take an expert on the book to point them out. The character Alec D'Urberville was brilliantly splashed on screen by Hans Matheson; He captured the unctuous character in his entirety, with his "smooth" and "charming" persona which is really just slimy and abusive. The scenery was almost an exact replica of what was described in the book and all of the supporting characters were spot on in their performances. I especially loved the love scene between the two lead actors, it was flawlessly filmed and directed and never will you see a more tender love moment in a movie. Overall the mini series Tess of the D'Urbervilles was...well...perfect! I loved the book, it is one of my favorites (despite the poor abuse Tess goes through and the sheer unfairly harsh life she has) and I usually say the book is better than the film, (as most readers say) but in this case I say that I don't know which is better. So if you have to read this book for class, or for whatever reason and you really don't want to, just watch this series. You will get all of the information, you will get all of the suffering, love, longing, desire, hate and forgiveness just as well as if you actually sat down to read it. BBC never disappoints, but after watching this I feel as if my expectations for all other book to film translations will have skyrocketed, leaving me forever disappointed. And I thank BBC for giving me a glimpse of perfection.

Sarah C If you--like me--saw a review for this film/miniseries calling it "terrible" and giving it one star, IGNORE IT. This film was absolutely stunning (there's a reason it was nominated for Best Lighting, Photography & Camera) and filled with much emotion and intensity by excellent actors. Gemma Arterton is superb as the lead role and all major and minor characters play their part with dedication and are a joy to watch. Based on the Thomas Hardy Novel, Tess of the d'Urbervilles follows the life of young, beautiful, innocent Tess and the misfortune she faces. With unforgettable characters such as the young heroine, Alec and Angel, visually appealing landscapes and emotional intensity to soften even the toughest of critics, this film is a must-see and something you are unlikely to ever forget!