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.

[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.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by Jbug

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

All existing BDs except the apparently atrocious old Spanish disc are based off the same 4K restoration from the original negative, supervised by Polanski, that premiered at Cannes in 2012.

However the German disc appears to include only the film and the old recycled DVD docs, just like the UK disc. The French disc has a few more docs, but it appears the Criterion disc will include every previously released doc from the various DVDs and BDs, and new material as well.

[Sorgansf]

I was a huge fan of this film every since it was released. In fact, I played hooky from school and paid a dear price when I got home. So, this is a big "want" on my wish list.

I did get a chance to see the restored digital "print" at The Castro in San Francisco last year and it looked gorgeous. Much better than I even remember (I originally saw a 70mm blow up). However, I was a little crushed that Polanski (like Cimino with Heaven's Gate) decided to cut the Intermission from the film. Not that it needs it due to length, but I thought the intermission was always perfectly placed and helped in adding more drama to the film as you waited to see what happened with Tess. Call me crazy, but I see a lot of benefit with adding an intermission to films, especially when a lot of time has narratively passed once the film begins again. It's a great reset for the audience.

I'm not sure if the intermission was ever Polanski's original plan with the film--he may have been required to add it due to the pace--but I do miss its inclusion.

[johnjohnson]

Originally Posted by Jbug

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

And still available. One of my favourite Phillipe Sarde scores.

[Dex Robinson]

Mine is on the UPS truck at this moment. I'm really looking forward to this one.

This is one of those few period pieces where I've read the original novel.TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES was required reading in a high school English class. Like most teenage boys, I managed to avoid reading it until the weekend before the test. So I read the whole thing in two days and, much to my surprise, I loved it.


***Doorbell ringing...UPS delivered it while I'm typing this message!

[Zen_Amako]

I think so. It's a beautiful looking film with a young and gorgeous Nastassja Kinski in the lead. It is kind of a "heavy" drama, though, so it might not be a film you will watch a lot.

[pro-bassoonist]

PHOTOS OF THE UPCOMING TESS RELEASE

Tess Blu-ray REVIEW









Pro-B

[spanky87]

Nice package.

I couldn't wait any longer and just re-watched the UK blu ray. The audio track is so immersive, and combined with the cinematography it transports you to Thomas Hardy's Wessex. Make sure there'll be no distractions for 3 hours and pump up the volume on this blu ray.