Therese Raquin [DVD] [2015] [Region 1] [NTSC]

I saw this drama when it was first broadcast on BBC television back in 1980. It is a gripping tale of Therese's loveless marriage to Camille and living with her domineering mother-in-law, which leads to her having an affair with Laurent and subsequently a harrowing sequence of events including lust, lies, murder, denial, prostitution, violence and eventually, mutual suicide by both Therese and Laurent. Constant flashbacks to Camille's murder hamper the two lover's amorous feelings and actions and neither of them can put them out of their respective minds. The guilt, resentment, bitterness and eventual hate all take their toll. The set is appropriately drab in places. There is some nudity, especially in the morgue scenes, but nothing really graphic. Superb performances by Kate Nelligan, Brian Cox, Mona Washbourne et al make this a drama not to be missed. Recommended.

This DVD will not play on my system. A message comes up saying it is not compatible with my area code. If the seller sees this I would be grateful for any comments on this. I have bought the French version 1953 with subtitles . Hope it will work. All my other DVDs work. I need it as I am a member of a French literature Group and I am taking the session in June on Teresa raquin. I have read the book but like to watch a film interpretation as well.

We have been looking for this series for a number of years so were delighted to find it and have watched and enjoyed it.

Just bought this DVD and can't play it. Something about regional areas? Why does amazon not alert you to this. Just wasted my money. Thanks amazon!

We purchased this a few years ago. It is a brilliant well constructed film. We would like to purchase further DVD's of this as presents to the family but it keeps rising in price. It is an addictive film.

Thérèse Raquin tells the dark story of a young woman (in the title role, Oscar-nominated Kate Nelligan, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, THE PRINCE OF TIDES), bored with her restricted, mundane life and trapped in a marriage with her perennially ill, feebleminded and apparently impotent first cousin, Camille (Kenneth Cranham, MALEFICENT). The BBC three part television serial originally debuted in 1981; in the United States, it was shown on Masterpiece Theatre. A historical costume drama, it is based on the classic 1867 scandalous novel and play by famous French author Émile Zola: it was shot on gritty Parisian streets and in the idyllic countryside. In it, Camille brings home their childhood friend, Laurent (Brian Cox, THE BOURNE SUPREMACY, BRAVEHEART). (The three young people had shared an achingly free childhood on the river).Once remet, the romantic chemistry between Thérèse and Laurent is instantaneous: they begin an affair. The strong ensemble cast garnered wide acclaim for their performances, with Nelligan hailed as “electrifying” and Cox as “superb” (Daily Express, UK), in this BAFTA Award-winning miniseries also starring Alan Rickman (SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, DIE HARD, Harry Potter films) and Mona Washbourne (MY FAIR LADY). This classic, star-studded tale, made in the days when the BBC really knew how to make historic costume dramas, has been released to coincide with a new Broadway adaptation of the play starring Keira Knightley and Judith Light. The Canadian-born Nelligan had been tipped to be a major star, which never happened, but she’s superb here, carrying the production with extraordinary power and sensuality. And her performance does shoot sparks in a production that cannot be called cheerful. (Personally, I am surprised that no grand opera was ever made based on this material; it has all the ingredients.) Direction was by the noted Simon Langton. Photography is evocative, though, perhaps too evocative for some, as the streets of Paris, the city of light, have never looked more drab and gray. The riverside scenes, however, are simply dreamy. Of course, costuming, interiors and dialog are appropriate to the age: this is a BBC production, after all. Unfortunately, the age of the original material means that it could not always be updated perfectly for this release. I received this as a review copy. The box set contains one DVD on which are all three episodes, totaling approximately 166 minutes. With subtitles, thank goodness. This dark, rather slow-moving tale of forbidden love will not be everyone’s cup of tea – and how the French do drink tea in this production. Nevertheless, it has grandeur, and is powerful, with some hot-blooded sex scenes. I loved it.

Can't play it -- wrong network -- my fault. -- waste of money - not Pal - but for Area 1 - North America!

This DVD was unplayable and I have no address to return the item

Very low quality of the picture, like it was done 100 years ago.

As the title character, Nelligan expertly displays a range of human emotion and behavior like very few other actresses ever have. Sulking bored housewife, lusty whore, conniving adulteress, scheming killer, cheerful liar, and petulant sinner. I saw bits and pieces of this miniseries when it first aired on Masterpiece Theater which was before home video was widely available. I saw A LOT of other stuff since, but I never forgot this miniseries. Now after all these years I have the DVD and it does not disappoint.

terrible, depressing, dark, nothing like the cover suggests.

A little disappointing...but my fault for not realizing that this was a very old film with poor playback. I am sure it was considered very good when first released and had a couple of surprises with a very young Alan Rickman in a small role. All the actors are well known to those who love English film and all played excellent parts. I also did not realize that I have seen the newest version of this film, "In Secret" with Jessica Lange as the mother, a much superior adaptation. I only gave this three stars due to the poor quality of the playback.

An interesting story with a surprise ending. This was an older movie. The acting could have been better, and the film suffered from poor editing, which made the film boring in parts. Still, all in all, this movie is worth watching. It could be great if remade.