Tess

Name: Tess
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: 1979-10-06
Duration: 2 h 52 min
Rating: 7.1
Cast: Nastassja Kinski, Peter Firth, Leigh Lawson, John Collin, Rosemary Martin

1979·Movie·PG·172 min·★ 7.1(379)

Drama Romance More English titles

“She was born into a world where they called it seduction, not rape. What she did would shatter that world forever.”

A strong-willed peasant girl is sent by her father to the estate of some local aristocrats to capitalize on a rumour that their families are from the same line. This fateful visit commences an epic narrative of sex, class, betrayal, and revenge.

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Where to watch Tess in United States

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Click a service to open Tess there. Availability last verified on June 20, 2026.

Where is Tess streaming around the world?

Country	Streaming on	Rent / Buy
United States	Criterion Channel	Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Canada	Criterion Channel	Apple TV Store
Germany	Amazon Arthaus Channel, Arthaus+ Apple TV channel, Arthaus+	Amazon Video
France	Molotov TV, INA madelen Amazon Channel	Apple TV Store, Canal VOD, Orange VOD
Spain	Acontra Plus, Acontra Plus Amazon Channel, Tivify	Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video
Brazil	—	Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
South Korea	wavve, Watcha, TVING	—

About Tess

Tess is a 1979 English-language drama and romance film directed by Roman Polanski. The cast is led by Nastassja Kinski, Peter Firth, Leigh Lawson. It has a runtime of 2h 52m. Viewers rate it 7.1/10 across 400 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

Tess was produced by Renn Productions and Timothy Burrill Productions and made in France and United Kingdom. It was released on October 6, 1979, and carries a PG certification. Made on a budget of about $12 million, it went on to gross $20 million worldwide.

Director: Roman Polanski
Writers: Gérard Brach, Roman Polanski, John Brownjohn
Release date: October 6, 1979
Original language: English
Age rating: PG
Status: Released
Country: France, United Kingdom
Budget: $12 million
Box office: $20 million
Production: Renn Productions, Timothy Burrill Productions

#rape#based on novel or book#peasant#marriage#love#revenge#murder#mansion#family#farmer#nobility#social climbing#aristocratic#strong

Tess cast & crew

Tess was directed by Roman Polanski and written by Gérard Brach, Roman Polanski, and John Brownjohn.

The cast features Nastassja Kinski as Tess Durbeyfield, Peter Firth as Angel Clare, Leigh Lawson as Alec d'Urberville, John Collin as John Durbeyfield, Rosemary Martin as Mrs. Durbeyfield, and Carolyn Pickles as Marian.

Behind the camera, the score was composed by Philippe Sarde, cinematography is by Geoffrey Unsworth, and it was produced by Claude Berri and Pierre Grunstein.

Is Tess worth watching?

Tess holds an audience score of 7.1/10 from 379 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed drama films.

At 2h 52m, it's a full-evening commitment.

If you enjoy drama and romance, Tess is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch Tess

In United States, you can stream Tess on Criterion Channel, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Click any service above to open it directly.

Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.