Janus Films Debuting New Restoration Of Polanski’s Tess Stateside On November 30, Criterion Release Soon?

Buried within Criterion’s latest Newsletter, along with their latest ‘Wacky Drawing’ proclaiming that (possibly) the Haskell Wexler film Medium Cool is on its way, is a bit of news that may have East Coasters rather excited.

Starting this Friday, November 30, Janus Films is set to bow their brand new restoration of Roman Polanski’s Oscar-winning adaptation of Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Tess, in New York at the Film Forum.

Finding itself fodder for six Oscar nominations (winning three of them but not) including Best Director, Best Music (Original Score) and even Best Picture, this lavishly crafted romantic drama is an adaptation of the beloved Thomas Hardy novel. The Janus restoration does give us room to believe that there is a Criterion Collection release for the film pending, but when? Normally, Janus tours the film for a handful of months, and then a DVD/Blu-ray release is set. A late 2013 (Polanski box set?) or an early 2014 release seems likely. As a fan of the film, I can’t wait to see what this restoration looks like, so hopefully it’s sooner, rather than later.