Post a comment below by Friday, March 13th. Stop back by and respond to one other student for a full ten points extra credit!
- What did you think of the movie version of Tess
- How did it compare to the book? Where there differences in their characterization of any of the characters that really bothered you, or do you think they did a good job of connecting back to the book?
- What would you say to those who have not seen the film? Recommend it, or no?
- (Optional): Did anything stand out to you as poignant, or anything that you really liked?
I felt that the movie version of Tess was an excellent interpretation of the book. Especially well done were the sets, which allowed the viewer to feel as if they were in the Victorian era.
ReplyDeleteAlec was the character which was portrayed the best, as evidenced by the "Oh, gosh"-type sounds elicited from the audience whenever he showed up. Tess and Angel were portrayed adequately.
Probably the most annoying thing in the movie was the sound made when two people stopped kissing, much like a suction cup releasing from a wall covered in honey. I was also pretty sick of that recurring musical theme played on the violin by the end of the movie.
Overall, it accomplished very well its two goals(at least what I perceive to be the film's goals). It sucked the viewer into the Victorian era and made the viewer angry at the injustice. I would recommend it.
-Joseph Meyers, B2
I thought the movie version of Tess was very well done, I just didn't like that all of the frustrating parts that were kind of spread out in the book were jammed together to make this a rather miserable movie, where the book at least spent a while on the "happy" part of Tess' life.
ReplyDeleteI think that the movie followed very closely to the book. At least it followed much better than other movies made from books. The characterization followed the book very well. The only thing that really bothered me was that actor who played Angel looked way too young. And I think the movie portrayed Alec as even more loathsome than I had thought he was.
Yeah, I would recommend it to people who haven't seen it before or even read the book.
The movie for me was realy enjoyable to watch and for a movie based off a book. BBC got very close to the text without adding or removing charaters or scenes.
ReplyDeleteThe charaters in the film were well done from Tess' simple yet beatiful looks to the wealthy evilness of Alec. The only thing I can think of is the lack of Angel sleep walking on their honeymoon, oh well too bad.
I had fun with this movie becuase they did have some humor in it. However, the reaction from the audience made it that much more fun even more so from the one who dont know what is coming.
All in all very well done, and long.
There should be another movie night.
sorry forgot to sign...
ReplyDelete- Bryan Gardner A4
I loved the movie, but hated it at the same time. I loved it because I felt like I got to know the characters better through the film, but hated it for the same reason. I discovered that I really like Angel(even though he did look too young for the part). I think the characterizations in the movie were mostly right on. I liked the fact that they portrayed Alec even if they make him seem more wicked than Hardy did in the book.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit this flat out: this movie made me cry. (I never cry in movies). It is very depressing and I don't know if I would recommend something like this to someone who hasn't read the book. I know I'm probably not going to watch it again. It was too much of an emotional roller coaster. The closing scene, with Angel sitting on the hillside when Tess is executed, really stood out to me. As the black flag flew over the prison and Angel broke down in sobs, I realized that he is the one who loves her the most. I think this scene had the most affect on me.
I don't know if I will ever be the same again after watching the movie and reading the book. And not in a bad way.
Katie Foster A4
I love your comments so far! You all are so thoughtful in your responses. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMs. R
I thought that movie version of Tess was interesting. I liked that the movie and the book were so similar. I could connect with what was going to happen next while I was watching.
ReplyDeleteI would like to say off the record(but obviously on) that this movie was probably the first that I could really connect with the characters. I felt strongly about the abuses and injustices that were felt during it. So bravo on the movie choice(even though it was 3 1/2 hrs long)
Like I said, there was a very good connection and similarity between the book and the movie.
I would recommend it to those who have read the books and can relate to the movie.
Kyle Pontius B4
The audience makes half the show. I thought it was fun to watch this movie with a lot of other people who had read the book. (And people who hadn't).
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bryan, we should have another movie night!
Katie Foster A4
Where can I even begin on Tess of the D'Urbervilles? I have such a love/hate relationship with that book that talking about it is difficult. I have never felt so impassioned about a book. It is strange really, it makes me think and it makes me angry and it makes me happy. Thomas Hardy knew exactly what he was doing when he wrote Tess, of that much I am sure.
ReplyDeleteThe movie was pretty close to the book, minus all the sleepwalking (as Bryan said). But as good as it was and as much I loved it, I wouldn't recommend it and I would not watch it again. It was such an emotional roller coaster that I don't know if I can go through with Tess's pain again. The movie itself was beautiful just like Hardy's prose in the book. But I looked at characters differently now than when I read the book. For example I hated Angel more in the book but after seeing the movie I can't help but to love him and despise Alec more than I did.
- Kirsten Watkins B4
I really liked the movie. Even though it was very depressing, I loved the emotion everyone was able to feel watching it! I'm glad it followed the book so well, and I agree with Bryan, its one of the best movies done that follows the book so well. I was so excited to be able to know what was coming next and it actually happened. I also loved watching it with everyone else that had also read it. It was so funny to watch those who hadn't read it and the emotion that they felt for the characters. Especially Alec, my friend Molly hated him so much and it was funny to see that she was happy he was murdered.
ReplyDeleteI think all the characters were very well portrayed except for the choice of Angel. He did very well acting out the part, but it would've been 10 times better if he would have been manly and good looking.
I would recommend both the book and the movie only to people I'd know would enjoy it. They'd have to like long classic books, and then they'd have to be someone who likes those types of movies.
I especially loved the scene when Angel carries the girls across the water! That definitely made the movie funny, and made me want to watch it again!
I thought that the movie was actually a lot sadder than the book. Thomas Hardy's writing is kind of hard to follow and therefore you lose some of the characters' emotions in the process. I think I would recommend this movie to only those who have read the book. While the movie is much more affective at gaining the viewers attention, it is only so because of our previous knowledge from reading the book. As we were watching the movie, I paid close attention to those who have never read the book before. By the end they were appalled and complaining about how it was the worst movie they have ever seen. However, I don’t particularly blame them. The movie was easier for us to take because we have taken the book and dissected it and created an awareness of how things were happening and why. Without that previous knowledge I think this movie would have shocked me! =)
ReplyDelete-Colten Strickland A4
I agree with what Kyle said. While I was reading the book a had little sympathy for the characters. It’s one thing to read about the act of rape and it is something completely different to watch the characters go through events such as this visually. However, by the end of the movie, my opinions about the characters remained the same as they did while I was reading the book. I ended up just gaining a closer relation to the characters.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katie. The audience did make the movie just that much suspenseful. I particularly found it interesting sitting next to someone who was very close at throwing her shoe at the screen at a character which I actually like. It was also really interesting to see the other students’ views upon the characters because they most definitely weren’t kept quiet.
-Colten Strickland A4
I really loved the movie! There were a couple of parts where I had to turn around though. That was my biggest complaint. I loved the character choice. I thought that each person played their part perfectly and they portrayed the imotions perfectly. They were very good at evoking my emotions towards them, for example: I hate Alec, and I hate Angel in all the right places, but I love him when I'm supposed to too.
ReplyDeleteFor anyone who hasn't seen it, I would say, "make sure to bring tissues cause you better not be afraid to cry".
-Courtney Tew B4
In response to Angel's comment, I disagree. I think Angel Clair was very manly and handsome. I did like the water scene too, but I was a little frustrated that they left out the part about his dream where he carried Tess in his sleep and laid her in the coffin. It was a somewhat important part in the book. Oh well, I still really liked it.
ReplyDelete-Courtney Tew B4
I thought that the movie was pretty good. I watched it with my little sister and a friend. I thought that Angel was portrayed really well. I liked how nice he was and how heart broken he looked when he had to leave Tess, when she was back with Alec. I also liked how upset he was at the end over Tess's getting taken to prison and her sentance. I thougth it was pretty close to the book. There was one scene in the book that wasn't in the movie and it made me so mad, the scene was after Tess and told Angel of what happened to her and then he sleep walks and shows how much he really does care. I wish that that would have been in there. For those who haven't seen the film I think it was good, and my friend and sister liked it. They just hated how Angel was also sort of a jerk and says we should have ended the movie after they get married. I would reccommend it because it is good and close to the book. One of my favorite parts was where Tess hits Alec, me,my sister,and my friend were all cheering at that part. I also liked how Angel helped Tess escape from the police. Those were just a few of my favorite scenes. All in all I am glad I was able to find a copy of Tess to watch.
ReplyDelete-Karissa Sorenson A4