Jude Fawley is a stonemason who loves learning. Inspired by his teacher he longs to go to University. After a brief but unhappy marriage to the daughter of a local pig farmer, he moves to Christminster to be closer to his beloved scholars. There, he meets and falls totally in love with his cousin Sue Bridehead, a thoroughly modern young woman, whose wit and beauty captivate him. The ill-fated lovers join in an illicit union that flouts society's conventions and tragedy ensues.

Director: Michael Winterbottom
Writers: Thomas Hardy (novel), Hossein Amini (screenplay)

Cast:
Kate Winslet ... Sue Bridehead
Christopher Eccleston ... Jude Fawley
Liam Cunningham ... Phillotson
Rachel Griffiths ... Arabella
June Whitfield ... Aunt Drusilla
Ross Colvin Turnbull ... Little Jude

Released on: September 10, 1996 (Toronto Film Festival)

Posters, Promotional Stills, On the Set and Screen Captures

The role of Jude Fawley was offered to Ewan McGregor who passed on it to go do Trainspotting instead.

Colin Farrell was approached to play Jude Fawley.

To prepare Kate Winslet for the child-death scene, director Michael Winterbottom insisted that she watch the movie Love Story.

During a night shoot on the set, Kate Winslet tripped over a tree root while running through a dark forest and fell headlong. " huge crash", director Michael Winterbottom recounts. "And I was like, 'Oh my God, what's happened? Everyone rushed up to her, and she said, 'No problem'. And carried on." It was only after wrapping that Winslet allowed an inspection of her injuries¾and was taken to a hospital.

"...Certainly one of my top ten films of the year." ¾ Daily Mail - Baz Bamingboye

"...A heartrending piece of work... [Winslet is] outstanding..." ¾ Sight and Sound - Geoffrey Macnab

"...[Eccleston gives an] extraordinary performance... A fine atmosphere of dank misery..." -- Rating: B ¾ Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum

"...Kate Winslet adds luster and energy to Jude... The actress is the motor and emotional center of the movie..." ¾ Variety - Derek Elley

"...[A] handsome, uncompromising film... Jude glows with Eccleston's and Winslet's performances..." ¾ Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas

• Original novel ("Jude the Obscure")