Tess of the D'Urbervilles tonight. Excited??

[wintera]

Really looking forward to this new bbc adaptation. The reviews I've seen up to now have been very complimentary. Cast also looks good.

[binkythebullet]

I loved it (well, if it's possible to love such a depressing story). Much better so far than the Andrew Davies Beeb adaptation of Sense & Sensibility last year.

[jezzemx]

Yes. that's it. Dr Zhivago. Now if he had of got his kit off I would have recognised him. He was brilliant in that

[wintera]

Here is the imdb page for Hans Matheson -

www.imdb.com/name/nm0558548/

[Tinker]

He was born in a caravan ELEVEN years after me.

Love teh way all the women love the bad guy.

[findtheriver]

I thought Gemma whatsit was way better than Nastaja Kinski. Kinski was all big pout and big eyes, whereas this Tess had a bit more spark and personality I thought.

[Snaf]

I thought he was revolting and the whole programme really, really dull.

I can't stand Hardy in general, though.

[janeite]

I didn't watch it as I forgot it was on but Angel IS a drip in the book as well, isn't he?!

[wintera]

Does anyone remember the ITV adaptation a few years ago? In that version it wasn't rape I don't think. She was half asleep and was sort of into it, in a dreamlike kind of way.

This one was definitely filmed as rape though. I am interested in people's views on this as the book itself is kind of ambiguous about it if I remember correctly.

[blithedance]

Lovely adaptation even if they did take a few liberties. Agree Angel did come over a bit drippy, but he IS drippy, that's his downfall.

Kept wishing Tess would tie up her hair. "out of your eyes, dear!"

[wintera]

You are kind of right about Angel actually! He's a hypocritical bastard if memory serves!

[blithedance]

x-posts! IIRC Tess was seduced rather than raped and was AD'U 's mistress for some time?

[janeite]

yes, the book is deffo ambiguous re: is it rape or not. It is a seduction, which could be read either way I suppose.

[Twinklemegan]

I must re-read the novel now, as I didn't remember it being rape as such. But then TH wouldn't have been overt about that I guess.

[DoubleBluff]

I found the book dull, but really enjoyed this adaptaion.
Gorgeous scenery.

[Twinklemegan]

Isn't she his mistress later on though blithedance?

[Twinklemegan]

I remember wanting to grab Angel by the balls shoulders and shake him hard when I read the book. An infuriating character.

[wintera]

I've just found my copy of the novel so am gonna have a re-read I think.

Agree with other posts about Natassja Kinski. She was lovely looking but all wrong for Tess. Isn't she German? Weird choice if you ask me but then she is iconic in that role and everyone remembers her.

I thought Gemma Arterton was very good indeed. Just the right mix.

[blithedance]

Twinkle you are right I was mixed up. It's the Chardonnay typing, clealry.

Hardy characters are so infuriating, I found myself feeling the same way.

[wintera]

Ha Ha Blithedance, I like your style! We have a bookshelf like that in our house too. Its got all our history books and Shakespeare on it too!

[wintera]

Can't believe I forgot to mention the great Anna Massey as Mrs D'Urberville. Always great to see her in something.

Here is the Newsnight review for it but please be warned it does contain spoilers!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dF__8cfBHM

[OrmIrian]

Ms Kinski was too skeletal for Tess. All cheekbones and eyes - Tess was always going to be curvy and luscious. Prefer the new actress. I like Tess. Some of Hardy's women are just freaks. Tess was lovely but much put upon bless her.

[ruthosaurus]

I dunno, I wanted to shake all of them, especially Tess's parents. Poor girl. I ended up shouting "No, Tess, don't get on the horse" at the TV...

That's the problem with Thomas Hardy - things just gets worse and worse until everyone DIES.

[braveandcrazy]

Hey let's not spoil the storyline for those who are watching the telly and haven't read the book!

I like TH dramatisations as they simplify the plot without all the pages and pages of narrative which I know is supposed to add to your enjoyment but didn't when I was 18! I even got my dh to watch Jude because Kate Winslet was in it. I remember being absolutely gobsmacked by when I read the horrible scene I read it on a train and just wanted to tell everyone what had just happened in my book.

I loved the scenery too and thought Tess and Alec were done very well, and also agree that Angel is meant to be a drip. Looking forward to more next week!

[ipanemagirl]

Alec - too short and too young but good actor, should loom over her at the very least. He should be BIG surely?

Tess - lovely and looks the part but her arms are longer than anyone I have ever seen in my life, potential for distraction there.

The rape scene was very well done imo and her response to it too.

Anna Massey - she is always fab

Filmed beautifully and fairly close to text my mother (Hardy buff) says.

Mother good actress but in danger of reminding viewer of Dawn French doing comedy west country characters.

[ipanemagirl]

Sorry, Angel Clare NOT beautiful enough, do you remember peter firth? sigh he was so lovely