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.