Tess Durbeyfield learns she is descended from the aristocratic D'Urbervilles; Tess falls in love with an idealistic farmer.

Tess finds work on a dairy farm where she meets the handsome Angel Clare.

Tess agrees to marry Angel, to his great joy. When he confesses to a dishonorable event in his past, Tess feels that she can at last tell him about her relationship with Alec D'Urberville and its consequences.

Angel has gone to Brazil, leaving Tess to endure a harsh winter on a swede farm. While being relentlessly pursued by Alec, she has written to Angel, pleading with him to return before it is too late. Unfortunately, Angel has been struck down by a dangerous fever, and when Tess's sister arrives with bad news about their father it sparks a chain of misfortunes. Will Tess ever see Angel again and find happiness?