Jude [Blu-ray]

In this 1996 adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel, Jude the Obscure, a sad, archetypal story plays itself out across the rainy English landscape, helped along by brilliant acting and directing alike.Though the film is admittedly incredibly bleak, and the ending sad beyond words, it is all-told a brilliant, classic film.After a short opening sequence introducing us to the young Jude, the viewer is quickly drawn into the parameters of Jude's adult world. Almost at once, we begin to feel his pain, his longing, his hope, and his persistence. We understand well what is driving him in his journey through life. This is a novel brought to life, a story in motion.As a die-hard fan of Kate Winslet, I have to say that this film one of my Winslet favorites. In my view, 1997's blockbuster Titanic was not only a success as a box office triumph or well-loved film in its own right, but also because it opened the world's eyes to the talent of this young British actress, whose consistently fine performances and willingness to break through barriers as an actress have brought the world great joy on the silver screen, and will surely continue to do so well into the new millenium. In Jude, Winslet is charismatic and beautiful (as usual), and plays Sue Brideheard to a tee. Introduced to her in a small, well-loved photograph, we soon come to understand what Jude sees in her. Her beauty, her intelligence, her promise of a better life. Her laughter still echoes in my head, like the flashbacks in the film. She is youth, she is carefree, she is unattainable, she is a vision, a memory, love.Eccleston is perfect for the role of the ever-yearning Jude, his face a landscape of green hills, rain, cobblestone streets and stone carvings, and green hills yet again. There are shadows in his eyes, in his face. The depth of his feelings is well-conveyed. His tall frame is so strong and able in one way, so thin and aching in another. We walk with him, cry with him, and love him as we must love ourselves when fate comes crashing down upon us.P.S. This was my introduction to British actress Rachel Griffiths, who went on to star in Hilary and Jackie, and is currently starring in Me, Myself, and I. Although her role is smaller than Eccleston's and Winslet's, and her character perhaps less likable, she also does a fine job.

Hardy was the most popular novelist of English letters in the 1870's and 1880's. (Think of "Far From the Madding Crowd" and "The Mayor of Casterbridge".) Then in the early 1890's he wrote "Tess", and his proper English readership was scandalized to the core: How could he send the rural, virginal Tess to live with the city-bred crass new usurper of the ancient "d'Urbevilles" family estate (who rapes her and then discards her), and then have her true love, the proper seminarian "Angel", reject her and her daughter when he finds out the truth? This was just too much for his Victorian readership to accept.This, and the moral quandaries poses by his next novel "Jude the Obscure" (faithfully dramatized with Kate Winslet as Sue Bridehead in the stunning film version "Jude" directed by Peter Winterbottom), caused his public standing to plummet. Hardy was just too far ahead of his time (how dare he create a feminist New Woman heroine?) All Hardy could do was revert to writing poetry, and foreswear his novelist activity.The great novelist shows us our most ingrained prejudices, and, blaming the writer, we recoil. Instead, we should embrace the criticism, and as a culture grow more tolerant.

Put the movie in and it stopped working after 20 minutes of viewing, disc was no good.

This period piece dealing with the life of Jude (Christopher Eccleston)and his 2 women.The first was (Rachel Griffiths)a local tease that they share a child.Sue (Kate Winslet)his cousin,meet in the city and develope their steamy relationship.I didn`t like the tragic ending that destroyed the relationship,however if you are a Winslet and Griffith`s fan as I am,the movie gives the scenes you want.The ending cost the 5th star rating.

My reaction is the complete opposite of the Tom Keogh editorial review on this page. This film captured a poignant, fatalistic, bleakly powerful tone better than most films I've seen, especially one that's an adaptation of a literary classic. The film truncated the novel's end, which is ultimately fatal, but left one at an emotional crossroads that seemed the perfect cinematic end to me. What a heartbreaking, emotional sledgehammer of a film! The acting by Christopher Eccleston and Kate Winslet was impeccable. Although the BBC adaptation with Robert Powell is technically more faithful to the novel, it lacks the power of this film. Acting, cinematography, music, editing all coalesce into one of the most affecting literary adaptations I've ever seen. I am baffled (and extremely frustrated) that this film never received the acclaim it got and I wish it were available on DVD in the US. For now, I have to be content with a used VHS for which I paid a high price. What a neglected masterpiece!

La película muy buena, mala calidad en la imágen.

No point movie, sad all the way, great fantasy of people years ago, good costumes, but for what? Not being married...Silly.

Good acting and good story.