He had been forgetting himself, he had to join his companions. As he fell out of the dance his eyes lighted on Tess Durbyfield, whose own large orbs wore, to tell the truth, the faintest aspect of reproach that he had not chosen her. 

Eddie Redmayne, Donmar Warehouse, 2009 | ph Simon Annand

I was there. I saw the great void in your soul, and you saw mine.

- Sebastian Faulks, Birdsong

So, can I just say, Birdsong was brilliant? Harrowing and heartbreaking, but brilliant. It seemed to me that they captured the essence of the book, and I’m so glad they included the line:

This isn’t a war. This is an exploration of how far men can be degraded.

That is what it’s all about.

The actors were sublime, particularly Eddie Redmayne and Joseph Mawle. Having just watched Brideshead Revisited (again) I was slightly disoriented by how old/hateful Anthony Andrews’ character was, but of course he was superb.

ladychauffeurs:

It couldn’t have lasted, Angel. Too much happiness.

Oh Tess. Oh Angel. Oh, my heart.

serenelyembrace:

Tess of the D’Urbervilles (2008)

This movie was so lovely and tragic.

Agreed.