Without a unifying sense of accusation, we, instead of a powerful polemic, are left with only the tale of an unfortunate. The problem, dramatically speaking, is that the second tragedy appears smaller than the first, thus the end of the film serves as an anti-climax. A terrible tragedy eventually occurs and, because of what has happened in the past, a second, avoidable, tragedy then follows. One senses this, but in the movie this theme is played down, so the story seems merely to tell of the ups and downs of Jude's life, presented as fairly accidental happenings. I haven't read the book, but one senses from the film that it may represent a fierce attack on then-contemporary values, particularly those involving marriage, values which drive the characters to their ultimate misfortune. Add to this strong direction and casting (Christopher Ecclestone is excellent in the title role, and a young Kate Winslett fetchingly appealing as Sue), and the result is a good film but it lacks something of a dramatic punch. Finally, he is working with a script that is neither archaic and stiff nor laced with modern anachronisms. Secondly, he sets out to explore that normality, instead of simply judging the past by present values. Firstly, he creates a picture of a livable past, not some shallow collage of country houses and Dickensian squalor but a world in which a normality, of sorts, might reign. There are three common errors made by directors of historical films that Michael Winterbottom neatly avoids in 'Jude', his adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel. Reviewed by paul2001sw-1 7 / 10 Our friends in the west Though they must endure social and financial hardship, the two finally find happiness together, until tragedy strikes. The two have children and live together as an unmarried couple. Soon an illicit romance begins between them until Sue's husband steps aside finally allowing Jude and Sue to be together openly. Some time later, at the funeral for their common aunt, Sue reveals to Jude that she's desperately unhappy. Broke and denied entrance to the university, he returns to his hometown. Though the two realize their destinies are intertwined, when he reveals his previous marriage, she is deeply hurt and in a perverse act of retaliation, marries another man. Toward this goal, when his wife Arabella leaves him, he moves to Christminster where he meets and falls recklessly in love with Sue, his beautiful and intelligent cousin.

Late 19th century England Jude, an intelligent but unworldly stonemason, looks to escape rural poverty by gaining a university education.

Jude 1996.BluRay