Thomas Hardy's classic 19th century novel Tess of the d'Ubervilles was expansively adapted to television in this two-part British miniseries.
Justine Waddell stars as Tess D'Urbeyfield, the poor relation to the prosperous D'Ubervilles, a rural family. Sent to work on the farm of her distant relatives, Tess stirs up an intense romantic rivalry between her cousin Alec D'Uberville (
Jason Flemyng) and handsome "local" Angel Clare (Oliver Milburn). Tragedy ensues when the rapacious Alec "has his way" with Tess, inaugurating a chain of events that will ultimately find the heroine on trial for her life. A production of ITV's London Weekend Television, Tess of the d'Ubervilles was originally presented in one two-hour and one 90-minute installment beginning March 8, 1998. The program debuted in America on September 13 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide