Tess 1979

     Adapted from a novel by Thomas Hardy and set in the British Victorian period.  John Durbeyfield is a poor and simple farmer until a local clergyman tells him he is descended from the d’Urberville family. Tess, the eldest daughter is sent to check on a family with the same name living in a manor house a short distance away.  Tess learns this family purchased the name and coat of arms.  Alec d'Urberville is very attracted to Tess, he gives her strawberries and roses.

     The only kind of luck Tess has is bad luck.  Instead of sharing some of his wealth with the poor relations, Alec treats Tess shabbily.  She has no choice to but take rough manual labor for low pay.  The photography is beautiful but is actually of France.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

186 min, Drama directed by Roman Polanski with Nastassja Kinski, Peter Firth, Leigh Lawson, John Collin, John Bett, Tom Chadbon, Rosemary Martin.

Note:  Imdb 7.3 of 10, 82% critic 77% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 4*.  Special Note:  I wanted to treat several of the males in this film extremely shabbily both mentally and physically!!