Directed by John Schlesinger
Written by Frederic Raphael from the novel by Thomas Hardy
1967/UK
IMDb link
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Bathsheba Everdene: [to her workers] Don’t anyone suppose that because I’m a woman, I don’t understand the difference between bad goings-on and good. I shall be up before you’re awake, I shall be afield before you’re up, and I shall have breakfasted before you’re afield. In short, I shall astonish you all.[/box]
The complete package for a great literary adaptation.
Bathsheba Everdene (Julie Christie) lives a simple existence in the English countryside. She loves to flirt and sheep farmer Gabriel Oak (Alan Gates) asks her to marry him. She refuses the proposal. A freak accident causes Gabriel to lose his flock and he must seek employment.
Bathsheba unexpectedly inherits a large farm. Defying society’s expectations, she intends to manage it herself and does a smashing job of it. She hires Gabriel as her shepherd. She also flirts with a middle-aged prosperous neighbor, William Boldwood (Peter Finch). Finally, the handsome, but reckless and hard-drinking, Sergeant Francis Troy (Terence Stamp) tries for her hand.
I live for finding new-to-me movies to love. Put it off because of its length and because I remember Hardy’s novels as grim. I was immersed in the great story and acting the entire time. The visuals and soundtrack are very beautiful. Recommend to fans of this kind of thing.
Far from the Madding Crowd was nominated by the Academy for Best Music, Original Score.
Absolutely love this underrated film. Perfect cast and amazing atmosphere. Julie Christie has never been better as have Bates, Finch and Stamp. Wonderful score by Richard Rodney Bennet. Superb cinematography by Nicolas Roeg. An all round winner!
I had no expectations at all. Didn’t even know the story. And it was so good!
Many thanks for encouraging us to watch FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD. It is indeed beautiful, thanks to the cinematography of the very talented Nicolas Roeg, who will direct Julie Christie in DON’T LOOK NOW (1973). Richard Rodney Bennett’s score is also wonderful. I especially enjoyed Peter Finch’s performance, as well as Alan Bates. Two favorite actor going in. Some sequences reminded me of Terrence Malick’s DAYS OF HEAVEN (1978). So evocative of rural life. Audiences in 1967 certainly got an eyeful, immersed for hours in another world.
You capture the experience perfectly. I don’t know why this wasn’t an Oscar nominee or at least better known. I thought about it and Terence Stamp is excellent as well. He has to be both unpleasant and believably attractive at the same time. Loved all the acting though.