Tess (1980)


John Collin             John Durbeyfield
Tony Church             Parson Tringham
Nastassja Kinski        Tess
Brigid Erin Bates       Meadow Girl
Jeanne Biras            Meadow Girl
Peter Firth             Angel Clare
John Bett (II)          Felix Clare
Tom Chadbon (II)        Cuthbert Clare
Rosemary Martin (II)    Mrs Durbeyfield
Geraldine Arzul         Child
Stephane Treille        Child
Elodie Warnod           Child
Ben Reeks               Child
Jack Stephens           Man in Tavern
Leigh Lawson            Alec D'Urberville
Lesley Dunlop           Girl in Henhouse
Maryline Even           Girl in Henhouse
Jean-Jacques Daubin     Bailiff
Sylvia Coleridge        Mrs D'Urberville
Jacob Weisbluth         Yokel at Barn-dance
Peter Benson (II)       Religious Fanatic

Directed by:            Roman Polanski, Hercules Bellville
Produced by:            Pierre Grunstein, Claude Berri, Timothy Burrill


Peasant girl Tess Durbeyfield is sent to live with the wealthy d'Urbervilles by her father 
after he learns that they are distantly related. However, the d'Urbervilles are not relatives, 
they're just a family that bought the noble line's name.

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A rural clergyman in 19th century England tells Durbeyfield, a simple farmer, that he is 
descended from the illustrious d'Urberville family -- now extinct. Or maybe not. Durbeyfield 
sends his daughter Tess to check on a family named d'Uberville living in a manor house less 
than a day's carriage ride away. Alec d'Urberville is delighted to meet his beautiful "cousin" 
and seduces her with strawberries and roses. Actually Alec has gotten his illustrious name and 
coat of arms by purchasing them. Tess too takes up the game of illusion when she finds, loses 
and finds again her true love Angel.