JUDE

UK, 1996, 123 minutes, Colour.
Christopher Eccleston, Kate Winslett, Rachel Griffiths, Liam Cunningham, June Whitfield.
Directed by Michael Winterbottom.

Thomas Hardey's Wessex stories are grim but profound stories and studies of human nature.

Film versions so far have been Far from the Madding Crowd and Tess. Now comes a very sombre, wintry version of Jude the Obscure, directed by Michael Winterbottom (Butterfly Kiss, Go Now). The screenplay follows the chapters of the novel, showing us the different locations, landscapes and cityscapes, where Jude, the ambitious young man of study but also of poverty, dreams, has his dreams shattered, and tries to survive. Christoper Eccleston makes a credible and ultimately sympathetic Jude. Kate Winslett is a complex Susan and Rachel Griffiths is excellent both as a flirtatious village girl and as an embittered older woman.

Here we are given a perspective on England of the 1880s, people trapped in their times and by their mistakes. Not a popular show, but impressive version of a serious classic.

1. Audience interest in Thomas Hardy? His novels, influence on British literature? The re-creation of the period? Themes, moods?

2. Michael Winterbottom and this film early in his prolific career? His later making The Mayor of Casterbridge as The Claim, set in North America?


3. The title, the omission of ‘obscure’? Jude as a 19th century Englishman? From the country, poor, encouraged to higher things, education, his attempts, disappointment, work, marriage, marriage failure, child, relationships? His final decision? Cruel fate?

4. Hardy's Wessex, the scenes of the farm, the town, city, the university, the church and stone masonry, travel, being in the city? The feel of English towns in the 1880s?

5. The 1880s, industrial revolution, agriculture, education, change?

6. The prologue, black and white photography, the young Jude, the farm, the scarecrow, the landscapes of the land? His uncle and his control? The help of aunt Drusilla?

7. Phillotson and his place in the church, encouraging Jude to read? His influence? Jude as being adept and his reading and studies, his age, transition to adulthood, reading, knowing Latin and the classics?

8. Arabella and the girls, the washing, throwing things at Jude? His attention? Walking out, talking, Jude and sexuality, the relationship with Arabella? His marriage, the celebration of the wedding? And her excitement, things changing? His hard life, Arabella going out, not in love with him, leaving for Australia?

9. Jude and his decision to go to the city, his hopes, finding lodgings? His cousin, Sue, and her work? Meeting Phillotson again, in the church, his teaching, his help?

10. Jude and Sue, the time together, the attraction, Sue and her liberal attitudes? A free spirit, no faith, yet her devotion to Phillotson, her decision to marry him?

11. Phillotson and his work of the church, lowering his ambitions, teaching, Jude and his memories? The marriage to Sue, his love for her, her joining the school?

12. Jude, his work, as a mason, in the church?

13. Jude and Sue, the time together, talking, meals, living together, moving further away from his dreams?

14. Arabella, her return from Australia, the letter, his son, giving the boy to Jude and Sue? The taking him in? Love for him? His being part of the family?
Sue pregnant, the graphic birth scenes, love for their daughter? For the children?

15. Arabella, prospering, at the fair, meeting them, with her boy?

16. Their settling down, Jude, Sue and the family? Happiness?

17. The boy, morose, his questions, asking about and happiness, his killing the children, himself?

18. The effect on Jude, on Sue, on Arabella? The funeral and the little coffins? Jude accepting reality, fate? Sue, the deeper fate, guilt, leaving Jude, attitudes towards God? Punishment, going to the church, praying, talking to Jude and separating from him?

19. Thomas Hardy's world, view of God, harshness, fate as cruel? Possibilities for survival?