Tess is a 1980 British drama film directed by Roman Polanski and based on Thomas Hardy's 1891 novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It stars Nastassja Kinski as Tess, a young woman who is sent to stay with distant relatives in an attempt to improve her social standing. The film follows Tess as she struggles to make her way in a world that is hostile to her and ultimately leads to tragedy.