Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Anyone care to comment on episode 2?  I liked it a little better, I think, but DH fell asleep in the middle of it.

It was ok but I am slightly bemused by the inclusion of some events that simply just didn't happen in the book.  Like Angel meeting Alec at his house.  Bwuh?

We're still watching and we like it.  My husband is probably enjoying it a little more than me because he has neither read the book nor seen any other film/TV version.  Also not having read Hardy books, he doesn't have the same sense of impending doom.

That was a good film. I remember watching the BBC version with Robert Powell way back in school and wanting to take my own life.... Having said that, I've read most Hardy because I like the dark stuff.

Understandable.  I shouldn't have worded my post so close-mindedly, as I do know Hardy is classic, and I just might appreciate the writing, and the story... even though I don't normally like dark, sad endings.

just saw part 3   :\\\'( :\\\'(  any comments on her hair?? 

I like her hair! 

Ugh. I've given up on it. I loved the book, but can't get into this production at all.

Watched the final episode last night.  It wasn't moving to me, and I was trying to figure out why.  Either because I was anticipating the end all along, or because it wasn't acted well enough to feel real?  Now I want to rent the Nastassja Kinski version, to see if it's as good as I remember it.  Haven't seen it since it came out in the theater...when? 20 years ago?

It was a lonnnnng time ago, because I was still in high school when it came out!    (omg, that's nearly 30 years ago when it came out!  )

I was ok with this TV production in the end - it wasn't great, just ok.  I'm smitten with the actor who played Angel - just his looks. 

I feel they played the whole last part totally wrong.  Tess isn't supposed to be hysterical in the end, she's supposed to be a total space cadet who wasn't really aware of her actions.  The characterisation was wrong too, Alec is supposed to have at least reformed a little but they played him up to be 100% villain.  They also removed the whole Stoke/D'urberville revelation which I always took to be the catalyst for the stabbing. 

Also they missed out some of the (imho) important dialogue.  The ITV adaptation from a few years back was much better.  Not a particular fan of the Nastassja Kinski version, it's just too dreary for me.

Oh, I haven't seen the ITV version!  Maybe I can rent that on Lovefilm too.  Somehow I don't think I'm going to be able to get my husband to sit through three different Tess versions though  so I guess I'll be on my own there!

Oh, I haven't seen the ITV version!  Maybe I can rent that on Lovefilm too.  Somehow I don't think I'm going to be able to get my husband to sit through three different Tess versions though  so I guess I'll be on my own there!

Try watch it if you can!  Angel is goooooooooooorgeous in it.  Almost too good looking though because you actually start to feel sorry for him.    

I'm smitten with the actor who played Angel - just his looks. 

Angel is goooooooooooorgeous in it.  Almost too good looking though because you actually start to feel sorry for him.    

Secret crushes!    Add them to the thread!

I agree with Mrs. Robinson on this most recent Angel, haven't seen the ITV Angel, and can't remember the Kinski version Angel.  I'll have to do a "compare and contrast" after I've viewed them all! 

Secret crushes!    Add them to the thread!

I agree with Mrs. Robinson on this most recent Angel, haven't seen the ITV Angel, and can't remember the Kinski version Angel.  I'll have to do a "compare and contrast" after I've viewed them all! 

Kinski Angel was the closest to the book version because he wasn't spectacularly good looking or anything.  He just looked kinda normal.  ITV Angel is divine, BBC Angel was too male modely for me but I guess he was ok looking too. 

I thought BBC Tess was a bit too good looking too, she's supposed to be relatively pretty but not as pretty as BBC Tess was.  ITV Tess is more homely looking but also pretty, I thought she was a better Tess overall, in looks and acting.  However BBC Tess definitely wins the hair wars.  Don't know about anyone else but I can't get my long brown hair to look like that!!

Can anyone tell i've loved this story for years haha.

Guess I'm going to have to read it...

Tess is my most favourite book of all time. 

I actually really loved the BBC adaptation of it. I really hated the Natasha Kinski version. I hate it when they make Tess a real weakling whiney girl. The BBC Tess was nearly like that but not enough for me to not like it. In my mind, Tess was innocent but a very strong woman (she had to be for all the crap she went through).

There is another version that I own, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0126100/ It's not so bad.

But I've recorded the BBC adaptation and keeping it. I did like how they kind of added a bit to the story and made it fuller without actually straying from the story.

And the only other Hardy book I've read is the Mayor of Casterbridge, which I liked.