Prepare to be swept away by the romance and drama of two masterpieces from one of the greatest figures in English literature – Thomas Hardy.
TESS OF THE D’URBERVILLES
Her luminous beauty blazing against the bleak background of rural Victorian England, Tess Durbeyfield is one of literature’s best-loved and most memorable heroines. Violated by one man and forsaken by another, she refuses to remain a victim. But her struggle to endure despite the abandonment of her true love–and her desperate attempt to attain happiness–propel Tess toward a tragic end.
THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE
Destitute and drunken, Michael Henchard is an itinerant farmhand who sells his wife and daughter to a sailor in a moment of alcohol-fueled desperation. So begins THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE, Thomas Hardy’s enduring classic. Ciaran Hinds (Road to Perdition, Jane Eyre) stars as the tragic, tormented Henchard. Decades after his fateful decision, now reformed and respectable, he is offered a chance at redemption when his wife re-appears with her daughter. But the reunion’s promise is soon tarnished by a web of jealousy, deceit and wounded pride.
*DISC ONE* Tess of the D’Urbervilles
DISC TWO* The Mayor of Casterbridge
Thomas Hardy Collection arrives on DVD with a 480i transfer in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. These made for TV miniseries were actually shot on film and considering they were filmed up to 13 years ago they look consistently pretty good. They were inherent signs of print damage but besides that colors came across well, though muted. Contrast was average for this vintage of tv film presentation. 6/10
Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0track. A very pleasing audio presentation with crisp dialogue and a well represented musical score. Stereo separation was good. 6.5/10
Thomas Hardy Biography and Bibliography