Tess (1979)

[Scottie]

Tess Blu-ray

This multiple-Oscar-winning film by Roman Polanski is an exquisite, richly layered adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles. A strong-willed peasant girl (Nastassja Kinski, in a gorgeous breakthrough) is sent by her father to the estate of some local aristocrats to capitalize on a rumor that their families are from the same line. This fateful visit commences an epic narrative of sex, class, betrayal, and revenge, which Polanski unfolds with deliberation and finesse. With its earthy visual textures, achieved by two world-class cinematographers—Geoffrey Unsworth and Ghislain Cloquet—Tess is a work of great pastoral beauty as well as vivid storytelling.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED EDITION:

New 4K digital restoration, supervised by director Roman Polanski, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray
Once Upon a Time . . . “Tess,” a 2006 documentary on the film
Three programs on the making of the film—From Novel to Screen, Filming “Tess,” and “Tess”: The Experience—featuring interviews with Polanski, actors Nastassja Kinski and Leigh Lawson, producer Claude Berri, costume designer Anthony Powell, composer Philippe Sarde, and others
Interview with Polanski from a 1979 episode of The South Bank Show
Forty-five-minute documentary shot on location for French television during the making of the film
Trailer
One Blu-ray and two DVDs, with all content available in both formats
PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Colin MacCabe

[Captain Kirk]

This is an "about time" title for me. It is now on my wish list.

[benbess]

Saw it first run. Beautiful film. Haunting and sad. That ending!

[jah13]

Great film. Already picked up the previously-released BFI disc.

[a clockwork orange]

Awesome news! Hopefully The Tenant will get the criterion treatment.

[James Luckard]

Yessssss!!!!!!!!!! Finally! This restoration was released on BD throughout Europe months ago and I had almost given up hope of getting it here.

I came SO close to clicking the button on amazon.co.uk and buying the BFI edition. So glad I waited, can't wait to see this all spiffied up in HD.

I was just reading, at lunch, the new Robert Harris novel "An Officer and a Spy", about the Dreyfus Affair, which Polanski will soon be filming. Kismet

This includes the three featurettes on the UK BD, which were Laurent Bouzereau docs recycled from the old US DVD, plus three new-to-BD videos that sound amazing.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Yessssss!!!!!!!!!! Finally! This restoration was released on BD throughout Europe months ago and I had almost given up hope of getting it here.

I came SO close to clicking the button on amazon.co.uk and buying the BFI edition. So glad I waited, can't wait to see this all spiffied up in HD.

I was just reading, at lunch, the new Robert Harris novel "An Officer and a Spy", about the Dreyfus Affair, which Polanski will soon be filming. Kismet

Heh, I was just coming here to note that between this and Rififi and Tokyo Story they've been kind of tearing through my Amazon.uk wishlist.

[James Luckard]

Now I just hope we get an upgrade of Knife In The Water with Polanski's film school short films, and of course The Tenant. And maybe with Sony's new deal with Criterion, Macbeth is not too much to hope for as well.

[SilentDawn]

Never seen this, but Polanski is Polanski and I can't wait to pick this up.

[spf781]

Originally Posted by SilentxStatik24

Never seen this, but Polanski is Polanski and I can't wait to pick this up.

It's a great film and I am sure the Criterion edition will make for a great first viewing!

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by spf781

It's a great film and I am sure the Criterion edition will make for a great first viewing!

That's why I love Criterion, it makes the first viewings of classic films always enjoyable!

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by SilentxStatik24

Never seen this, but Polanski is Polanski and I can't wait to pick this up.

It's one of the most gorgeous films you can imagine. When I was at film school, the cinematography professors always spoke of this and Days of Heaven as being the most beautifully photographed films ever.

Interestingly they're both late 70s films about tragic love triangles set in the late 1800s/early 1900s with extensive portions set in huge rolling fields at twilight

[spanky87]

The UK blu is perfect so this will be just as good since it's the same 4K master. I will be picking this up despite owning the UK set already since it's freaking Criterion, it's region one, and I dig the new artwork. The original one sheet is still the best though.

This blu is really the only way to truly see the beauty of this film (Kinski and the cinematography), unless you're lucky to see the 4K restoration at a revival cinema. Nastassja Kinski should have at least been nominated for an Academy Award for her performance. I don't know how to order them since they are all masterpieces, but to me this is one of the three best Polanski films next to Rosemary's Baby and Chinatown.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by spanky87

I will be picking this up despite owning the UK set already since it's freaking Criterion, it's region one, and I dig the new artwork. The original one sheet is still the best though.

Even if I owned the BFI, I'd sell it and buy this for the two new docs and the 1979 Polanski South Bank Show

[erlinmeyer]

First day for me...will be able to retire another Laserdisc. Great Movie.

[dallywhitty]

I saw this a few months ago for the first time (having bought the BFI Blu-ray) and I thought it was fantastic. I'd highly recommend it to anybody who hasn't seen it yet.

[Castor18]

Another Polanski masterpiece from Criterion!! ... after releasing Rosemary's Baby last year. Also was about to get the UK version, ... glad there will be a US release.

[onetet]

I saw the 4K restoration within TIFF 2012, and it was stunning. My first time viewing the film, which I loved--but some of this was surely due to an ideal viewing experience. This was a pivotal screening in softening what had previously been my film-purist stance when it comes to the theatrical experience. Watching this was like seeing a just-struck, absolutely perfect film print (without cue marks).

[Jbug]

I'm surprised no mention of the great soundtrack. Very nice indeed.

[Jbug]

Is the German region free version worth getting? It can be had at a cheaper price.