San Antonio Express-News---Tuesday, Sep 8, 1998

By Jeanne Jakle

If watching hour after hour of glittery stars, until it's pouring out your ears and the same dang show winning statue after statue becomes too tiresome, why not take a break from tonight's ultra-long Emmys and drink in a beautiful literary classic on cable instead?

"Tess of the D'Urbervilles" debuts on the Arts & Entertainment network tonight at 8 and wraps up Monday at the same time. The four-hour masterpiece comes from the producers who served up the highly acclaimed Jane Austen banquet of two years ago, "Pride and Prejudice."

It's a stunningly visual, well-acted and heart-pulling version of Thomas Hardy's 19th Century tale of love, deceit and the shameful inhumanity borne of a brutal era of false values and double standards.

It begins with the head of the poor Durbeyfield family happening upon the information that he indeed comes from aristocracy, one of the oldest and most respected families in England, the D'Urbervilles.

Hoping to benefit from it in some way, the desperate man and his wife, who preside over a clan containing more mouths to feed than there is bread, plead with daughter Tess (Justine Waddell) to offer her services to wealthy folk who bear the name D'Urberville and are believed to be distant relatives.

So, the young maid sets off and immediately attracts the attentions of the eldest son, Alec (Jason Flemyng), who won't rest until he has claimed her -- even if it means forcing himself upon her.

That painful twist of fate, which results in an out-of-wedlock child, leads ultimately to Tess's ruin.

In between, however, she does experience a brief burst of happiness. That happens when she leaves home once again, takes employ as a dairy maid at a picturesque farm and meets Angel Clare (Oliver Milburn).

Clare, a sweet, honorable lad of good family circumstances, finally provides Tess with the loving feeling she has longed for. So they marry.

However, against her mother's wishes, Tess feels obligated to confess to her husband the wrong that had been done to her at the age of 16; after all, hadn't Angel admitted to her a similar indiscretion with an older woman that took place during a sojourn in London?

Sadly, just reasoning of that sort does not greet Tess's unburdening to her husband. And Angel, who's undeserving of the name in this instance, can't bear to be near his wife, whom he says he really didn't know.

So, she returns to her family, feeling ashamed and alone. However, Tess decides to leave once again, but is stuck with the much harder toil of farming.

Just as she's at her lowest -- and has heard nary a word from her husband for over a year -- she comes across the man who was the cause of her woes, Alec. And, in the midst of her despair, is tempted to accept his kindnesses toward her hurting family and herself.

Waddell is a particularly moving Tess; the young actress portrays a steely determination and honesty which makes her complete abandon to her one true love, Angel, all the more heartbreaking.

Also contributing to the strength of the story is the producers' refusal to paint either of the men -- Angel or Alec -- as black or white. Each has his profound weaknesses, particularly the former, whose choice to leave his beloved for so long can't help but make the viewer squirm in frustration and anger.

It's actually a worse feeling than may accompany the disappointment of not seeing your favorite TV show or actor receive the award you know is deserved.

So, make your choice: Four hours of possible Emmy heartbreak, beginning at 6 p.m. on KMOL; or four hours, starting tonight, of lush and lusty Thomas Hardy heartbreak.

© 1998 San Antonio Express-News