Overview
A young woman's struggle for love and acceptance unfolds against the backdrop of societal expectations.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- lyrical
- melancholic
- intimate
- quiet evening
- classic film night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a reverent, visually sumptuous adaptation of Thomas Hardy that pairs painterly cinematography and unhurried pacing with a powerful portrait of perseverance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film emphasizes fields, harvests, estates, and changing seasons through highly composed cinematography.
Tess's past is judged within Victorian Christian and patriarchal mores while male behavior receives greater latitude.
Tess's peasant origins, supposed aristocratic ancestry, and relationships with Alec and Angel determine her opportunities.
Tess repeatedly withstands family pressure, exploitation, stigma, and emotional loss.
Films like Tess, and why
The Age of Innocence
lush historical romance, social constraint, and tragic emotional intensity
A Room with a View
literary period romance shaped by class divisions, repression, and forbidden desire
Doctor Zhivago
epic romantic melodrama with painterly period cinematography and doomed lovers
Far from the Madding Crowd
pastoral historical romance centered on female vulnerability and rigid social codes
Movie Details
- Director
- Roman Polanski
- Release Date
- 1979-10-06
- Runtime
- 172 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (394)
Cast
- Nastassja Kinski
- Peter Firth
- Leigh Lawson
- John Collin
- Rosemary Martin
- Carolyn Pickles
- Richard Pearson
- David Markham
- Pascale de Boysson
- Suzanna Hamilton
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Criterion Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Tess about?
- A peasant woman’s hopes for love and dignity collide with Victorian class privilege, sexual exploitation, and unforgiving moral codes.
- What is Tess like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Tess as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Tess violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Tess as moderate.
- What did critics think of Tess?
- Critics broadly regard it as a reverent, visually sumptuous adaptation of Thomas Hardy that pairs painterly cinematography and unhurried pacing with a powerful portrait of perseverance.
- Which films are like Tess?
- Films with a similar feel include The Age of Innocence, A Room with a View, Doctor Zhivago, and Far from the Madding Crowd.
- How long is Tess?
- Tess runs 172 minutes.
- Where can I watch Tess?
- In United States, Tess streams on Criterion Channel.
