When Tess Durbeyfield is sent by her family to seek out her rich relatives, she soon finds herself pursued and violently seduced by the ruthless Alex D`Urberville. The sad event which follows gives Tess the chance to hide her past and move on. Eventually she falls in love and finds happiness with Angel Clare, a clergyman`s son. But Tess`s honest nature means she is doomed to never escape her past as events force her to finally take control of her fate.