Jude (film)

Jude is a 1996 English film, based on the novel Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy and directed by Michael Winterbottom, who also directed The Claim, another Hardy-based movie, in 2000. It tells the story of a stonemason pursuing the cousin he loves even though both are married. The screenplay is written by Hossein Amini. The original music score is composed by Adrian Johnston. The film gained notoriety for a scene in which Kate Winslet's character is shown giving birth in graphic detail.

Plot summary

In the Victorian period, Jude Fawley (Eccleston) is a young man with dreams of receiving a scholarly university education. Circumstances conspire against him, however, forcing him into a job as a stonemason and an unsatisfactory marriage to a country girl, Arabella (Griffiths). He remains true to his dream, however, and months later, after his wife's sudden departure, heads for the city, where he thinks education lies for any man who is willing to work hard. There he encounters his beautiful cousin, Sue Bridehead (Winslet), who shares his intelligence and appeals his disdain for convention, and the two develop a romantic relationship. These unlikely lovers must struggle to keep their relationship from a disapproving world, however, or else face the tragic consequences of public scandal.

Main cast

Other actors approached to portray the role of Jude Fawley included Ewan McGregor, who declined it in favour of Trainspotting instead, and Colin Farrell.

Marketing

Taglines used to advertise the film include:

• "His world could never change... until she became his world."
• "A time without pity. A society with mercy. A love without equal."
• "It is a difficult question to answer... Whether to follow your dreams... Or to let life lead you where it will."
• "It's a difficult question for any man to answer... Whether to follow his dreams no matter what... Or to give in slowly and let life lead you where it will."

Trivia

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Christopher Eccleston as Jude Fawley

• Director Michael Winterbottom insisted that Kate Winslet watch the film Love Story (1970) to prepare her for the child-death scene.
• Eccleston shares a brief scene in the film with David Tennant. Nine years later, Tennant succeeded Eccleston in the lead role in Doctor Who. Jude remains the only time that the two have appeared together on screen.
• The majority of the film was shot in Edinburgh in late 1994.

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Jude

• Jude at the Internet Movie Database
• Jude at All Movie Guide
• Jude at Rotten Tomatoes