Tess Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of Roman Polanski's Tess presents a remarkable visual experience, leveraging an outstanding 4K restoration. The film is presented in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC for a 1080p transfer, supervised by Roman Polanski himself. This high-definition transfer emanates from a 4K digital scan of the 35mm original camera negative, performed at Eclair Laboratories in France. The meticulous restoration process, also executed in 4K, effectively eliminates debris, scratches, flecks, stains, and dirt while maintaining a light, natural grain throughout. Clarity and detail are exemplary, enriching the classical compositions and intricate costumes with superb texture and depth.

The color reproduction represents one of the transfer's most substantial improvements over previous releases. The new restoration introduces a very natural and extensive color palette. Daylight footage particularly stands out with spectacular clarity. The film's soft, diffuse style perfectly complements its subject matter, imparting a dreamy, old-fashioned quality to the visuals. Rustic, earthy hues dominate the color scheme, with green, yellow, and brown tones bathing the screen. Magic hour sequences are especially striking, featuring skies painted in pink, purple, and orange hues. While the transfer remains mostly problem-free, minimal issues like occasional grain spikes and faint digital noise are present but rarely detract from the overall experience.

In all, the Blu-ray presentation of Tess is a triumph of faithful restoration. The visual depth during panoramic shots is impressive, rendering an immersive viewing experience. Criterion’s commitment to preserving the cinematic artistry of Tess is evident in this release, ensuring that every viewing is a visually engaging experience devoid of compromise.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Tess" is offered in English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Criterion has retained the lossless 5.1 track from the Pathe release, providing fans with a robust and immersive auditory experience. This DTS-HD MA track, remastered from the original Dolby stereo mix, excels in delivering nuanced dynamics that significantly enhance the period atmosphere of the film. Viewers will find the dialog consistently crisp and clear, devoid of any background hiss or instability.

The soundstage expertly balances natural and man-made effects, offering smooth imaging and directionality across the left, center, and right channels. Ambient sounds such as birds, crickets, thunder, and rain are reproduced with exceptional clarity, while Philippe Sarde's musical score soars through the dynamic range, enriched by solid bass activity. Although surround activity is muted, this approach appears to remain faithful to the film's original sound design.

Overall, this lossless track does justice to the film’s audio demands, immersing viewers in Tess' world and complementing the visuals and narrative effectively. There are no age-related audio issues such as crackling or pops, ensuring a smooth listening experience that enhances the emotional and atmospheric depth of "Tess".

The Blu-ray release of "Tess" provides a rich array of extras that immerse viewers in the film's intricate production and historical context. The collection includes several in-depth documentaries, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage, most presented in 1080p/1080i resolution with Dolby Digital 1.0 or 2.0 audio and optional English subtitles. Key highlights include the 1979 French TV episode "Cine Regards," which offers a raw look at the film's shooting and an archival interview with Roman Polanski. The 2006 documentary "Once Upon a Time... Tess" delves into numerous interviews with cast and crew, providing valuable insights into the film's creation. Additionally, three short documentaries from 2004 explore various aspects of the filmmaking process in great detail. Not to be missed is the 1979 British TV episode from "The South Bank Show," featuring an extensive interview with Polanski.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original trailer for Tess.
• Cine Regards: 1979 French TV episode with behind-the-scenes footage and Polanski interview.
• Once Upon a Time... Tess: 2006 documentary on Tess's making, featuring cast & crew interviews.
• On the Making of Tess:
  • From Novel to Screen: Discussion on adapting Thomas Hardy's novel.
  • Filming Tess: Insights into the shooting process.
  • Tess: The Experience: Reflections on the production experience.
• The South Bank Show: 1979 interview with Roman Polanski, featuring clips from his films.
• Booklet: Illustrated booklet with an essay by Colin MacCabe.

Roman Polanski's Tess (1979) is a cinematic tour de force that meticulously adapts Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles. The film’s power lies in its transcendent visual storytelling and the richly textured performances that navigate the stark social dichotomies of the period. The narrative chronicles the life of Tess (played by Nastassja Kinski) from her naive, disillusioned beginnings to her ultimate tragic end. Kinski's portrayal reflects a mesmerizing blend of vulnerability and resilience, making Tess a deeply compelling character. The film explores the devastating impacts of societal rigidity and personal misfortune, wrapped in lush cinematography by Geoffrey Unsworth and Ghislain Cloquet, whose use of color and composition is both striking and evocative.

The character arcs are particularly compelling. Leigh Lawson as Alec d'Urberville conveys a toxic mix of charm and predation, while Peter Firth’s Angel Clare captures the idealistic yet flawed lover bound by societal rules. Tess's interactions with these characters delve into the thematic discussions of purity, guilt, and redemption. The contrasts between Alec’s exploitative desires and Angel’s conditional affection provide a platform for examining moral codes and double standards. These themes are poignantly rendered through Kinski’s expressive performance, which impeccably conveys Tess's internal struggles and external hardships.

The masterful production design and costume work further enrich the period authenticity. Anthony Powell's award-winning costumes and Philippe Sarde's evocative score complement the melancholic and redemptive undertones. The visual aesthetic, reminiscent of Kubrick's Barry Lyndon and Malick's Days of Heaven, bathes the narrative in an immersive historical milieu, while Polanski’s directorial prowess ensures that each frame contributes to the atmospheric narrative tapestry. Tess is not just a film but an exquisite portrayal of suffering, resolve, and the ceaseless pursuit for identity and love within an unforgiving social landscape.

Fans of Roman Polanski's "Tess" who have been eagerly anticipating the Pathe/Eclair Group and Le Diapason's splendid 4K restoration will be undoubtedly gratified with Criterion's Blu-ray release. The high-definition transfer reflects the meticulous work done to preserve the film’s stunning cinematography, effectively delivering a visually exquisite experience. Criterion has also retained all the supplemental features from Pathe's release while enriching the package with an episode of the British television series "The South Bank Show." This exemplary release is poised to secure a spot on numerous Top 10 lists by the year's end. Very highly recommended.

"Tess" is a sweeping and tragic cinematic romance embellished with exceptional performances and arresting visuals, showcasing Roman Polanski's directorial finesse. The high-definition video transfer and audio mix uphold the integrity of the beautiful cinematography and evocative music, immersing viewers in a vividly detailed and emotionally resonant experience. Criterion's collection of special features is comprehensive, comprising vintage and retrospective interviews along with documentaries that intricately explore various facets of the film's production.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray release is a must-have for aficionados of Polanski's work and cinema enthusiasts alike. The dedicated restoration and enriched special features make it a definitive edition, presenting "Tess" in its most compelling and complete form to date. Highly recommended.