

In late 19th-century England, Jude aspires to be an academic, but is hobbled by his blue-collar background. Instead, he works as a stonemason and is trapped in an unloving marriage to a farmer's daughter named Arabella. But when his wife leaves him, Jude sees an opportunity to improve himself. He moves to the city and begins an affair with his married cousin, Sue, courting tragedy every step of the way.
Acting
Winslet's Sue shimmers with defiant fragility.
Cinematography
Bleak English light as emotional prison.
Writing
Hardy's rage intact, Winterbottom unflinching.

Director
Michael Winterbottom
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The pig scene used a real carcass; Eccleston nearly quit. Method acting or trauma? You decide.
Released same year as Winslet's Titanic—Hollywood made her a star while Winterbottom showed her range. Jude vanished; Jack Dawson lived forever. There's the tragedy.