The first time I saw this film, I was very disappointed. It was the first rendition of a Thomas Hardy novel I had seen; and I expected a great deal more than the film delivered. "The Return of the Native" is my favorite Hardy novel, though Clym Yeobright, the main character, is not my favorite Hardy character. In fact, very few of Hardy's characters - especially his male characters - are truly admirable. But then, Hardy is more an anti-Victorian author in that he is attempting to depict real people, not larger-than-life cardboard heroes and heroines. It goes without saying, of course, than Clym's eventual blindness simply mirrors his blindness to those around him - his "tragic flaw." Even so, I found Ray Stevenson's portrayal of Clym convincing in that Stevenson seemed to personify Clym's obtuseness. I did not, however, care for Catherine Zeta-Jones' Eustacia Vye. It wasn't her performance, which was nuanced and accurately captured Eustacia's character. Somehow, she just didn't look the part - though I have to say, it was Eustacia as I envisioned her reading the novel, not necessarily Eustacia as Hardy intended her to look; and certainly not Eustacia as others might visualize her. It's just that Eustacia is such a powerful presence in the novel that it's difficult to imagine someone as innocently beautiful as Catherine Zeta-Jones evoking so much emotional reaction in others. There was an Audrey Hepburn kind of almost childlike innocence about her when there ought to have been more of a Merle Oberon (a la "Wuthering Heights") coldness. I can't picture anyone not liking Catherine Zeta-Jones' Eustacia Vye.

At any rate, though I still found Catherine Zeta-Jones too innocent-looking for Eustacia Vye, when I watched the film a second time, I loved it. The reason is simply that I had no expectations of liking it, so there was no possibility of disappointment. Consequently, everything beautiful about the film came through clearly this time; and everything that might be "wrong" about the film completely vanished. Once again proving that one's perspective has more to do with their enjoyment of a film than anything else.

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Gayvette Bruce

Not my kind of Movie

Revisado en los Estados Unidos el 12 de enero de 2023

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I am a BBC Movie Dvd collector. And I am in Love with Hallmark movies. But some reason this movie DVD did not impress me at all. I appreciate the idea of it. But it seems I have seen this movie before. Thank you seller for having this movie for entertainment. But it is just not for me. I am going to donate this movie to favorite organization who collect items for others. And make sure it goes to someone who will like it. Thanks again Amazon.com your Delivery service is Powerful as usual.

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Hikari

Love & Tragedy & All That Jazz. . .

Revisado en los Estados Unidos el 29 de noviembre de 2003

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This early vehicle for a young Catherine Zeta-Jones does justice to the complex Hardy novel despite the constraints of the television movie format. 'La Zeta' is perfectly cast as Eustacia Vye, a mysterious beauty with 'black hair and pagan eyes' who captivates the young men of the vicinity while the older country people regard her with suspicion as a witch who is not to be trusted. Eustacia has a reputation as a loose woman in the neighborhood--she dallies with another woman's fiance out of sheer boredom, even though she is tired of him. When dashing Clym Yeobright returns home after many years abroad in Paris, Eustacia sets her cap for him, with tragic results.
Fans who have followed Zeta-Jones' high-profile career in movies such as 'Entrapment', 'Traffic' & 'Chicago' will be interested to see her here, long before Michael Douglas and Oscar came calling, in her debut role outside of her native UK. She displays all the beauty and cool self-possession of the star she would later become. She's had her teeth capped since, and been otherwise glammed up, Hollywood-style, but all the fundamentals are there. The setting is breathtaking (shot on location in Northern England), and the simple yet vivid costumes Eustacia wears add to her characterization. Eustacia/Catherine is dressed simply but vividly in tones of scarlet, yellow and turquoise blue, setting her in sharp relief to the browns and grays of the landscape, and the dull clothes worn by the other characters.
The entire cast does a superb job, but this is really Zeta-Jones' show. Whether you're a Zeta fan, or a student of Thomas Hardy, this production should be on your shelf.

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Paulina S

a definite keeper

Revisado en los Estados Unidos el 19 de febrero de 2013

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I stumbled on this DVD at my local library and was hooked from the first. This is a lush and intelligent adapation of Hardy's classic, with wonderful actors, absolutely stunning scenery, and a fabulous, haunting score by Carl Davis.

The protagonist, Eustacia Vye, is rather Scarlett O'Hara-esque: willful, restless, and reckless, she uses her looks and charm to manipulate those around her. Catherine Zeta-Jones brings necessary vulnerability, as well as passion, to the role, and she has both the cool confidence and smoldering beauty to make it inevitable that every man she meets is bewitched by her.

Several of Britain's finest "tried and trues" make up the supporting cast: Joan Plowright as a loving and leery mother, Claire Skinner as her tenderhearted niece, and Steven Mackintosh--in a radical departure from his uber-evil character "The Street" from "Prime Suspect"--is the wise and long-suffering Diggory Venn. Celia Imrie appears as a superstitious neighbor, and a bearded Cive Owen oozes heat and a hungry tigerishness as Damon Wildeve, Eustacia's frustrated suitor.

Ray Stevenson doesn't fare as well in the role of Clym Yeobright, the idealistic hero who comes back to his native village. Stevenson has become an extraordinary actor, but he is rather meh here. He's by no means awful, but is a bit one-dimensional and colorless compared to the other vivid characters. It doesn't help that he's saddled with the only weak dialogue in the film. I'm not sure there's anyone who could convincingly say some of his lines.

Overall, though, this is a first-rate and rewarding production. Unusual for TV historical dramas of its time, it offers an authentic look at rural life in the mid-1800's--I loved the details of the farmers painting the sheep with reddle, and the accurate costuming, and all the folk songs sung at various events. It really is like being transported to Hardy's world--except, happily, we don't have to stay there.

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Return of the Native [USA] [DVD]

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