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Far From the Madding Crowd | Year: 1967 Directed: - John Schlesinger Actors/Actresses: - Julie Christie - Peter Finch - Alan Bates A beautiful film adaptation of my favourite book "Far from the Madding Crowd" has been, since childhood, my favourite novel. I can't recall how many times I've read it! And this film adaptation is one of the finest I've ever seen. I've loved it, in it's own right, since I was a child too - it's a "piece of perfection" in my opinion. The "Hardy Country" atmosphere is so evocatively represented by Nicholas Roeg's beautiful camera work and the main character's emotional states so finely played by the leads. Julie Christie portrays Bathsheba's pride and wilfullness perfectly, and equally well conveys her desperation and humiliation at the hands of Frank Troy. And what a performance from Terence Stamp! He conveys Troy's raffish charm and hidden vulnerability expertly. Who could forget that scene where he spurns Bathsheba over the dead body of his true love, Fanny? It must be one of the most powerful scenes in literature or film. When he says to Bathsheba: "She is more to me now, dead as she is, than you ever were, or are, or could be!" My god, fancy having something like that said to you!! How devastating! Then we have the intense and tortured Farmer Boldwood - Peter Finch in one of his finest roles. And, lastly, the gorgeous Alan Bates - the absolute personification of Gabriel Oak, leapt from Hardy's page into life! I agree with most of the comments from other lovers of this film - it is a truly underrated masterpiece. A MAGNIFICENT PERIOD FILM... This is a beautifully filmed, well directed film adaptation of the Thomas Hardy novel of the same name. With a luminous, pouty lipped Julie Christie in the lead role of Bathsheba Everdene, and with Alan Bates, Terence Stamp, and Peter Finch, as the men in her life, how could the movie be anything but superb? Bathsheba Everdene (Julie Christie) inherits a large country estate. There, she proceeds to act as few women in her day would. She insists on managing the estate herself, relying on her own god given talents. Smart, hardworking, and strong willed, she captures the attention of three would be suitors. Gabriel Oak (Alan Bates), the handsome, strapping shepherd, with a penchant for animal husbandry and farming, is the one most suited for her. William Boldwood (Peter Finch), an older, wealthy, neighboring landowner, adores her and obsesses over making her his wife. Sgt. Frank Troy (Terrence Stamp), a hunky, rakish grenadier, knows opportunity when he sees it and sets about charming her, despite the fact that his heart belongs to another. Now, why would author Thomas Hardy name the leading female character Bathsheba? Well, in Biblical times, Bathsheba made the married King David, the shepherd who slew Goliath, her love slave. So much did David desire her that he arranged to have Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, a soldier in his army, slain in battle. Ultimately, Bathsheba ended up with neither Uriah nor King David. The film parallels that Bible story in some ways and is somewhat prophetic for Bathsheba Everdene. What happens to her, as well as to each of the three men in her life, makes for an absorbing film experience. First class production values and wonderful performances by the entire cast, make this a film to remember. Terence Stamp is perfectly cast as the charming and rakish Frank Troy, who would steal Bathsheba's heart, while his still belonged to that of another woman, Fanny Robin (Prunella Ransome). Peter Finch plays the role of William Boldwood with such rock solid intensity that the viewer knows that sooner or later something has got to give. Alan Bates is perfect as the ruggedly handsome, stalwart and steadfast Gabriel Oak. Prunella Ransome gives a heartbreaking performance as the tender and bereft Fanny Robin. Julie Christie is well cast as the independent and outspoken Bathsheba, giving a luminous performance that engages the viewer. English folk songs pepper the film, adding to its period ambiance. Nearly two hours and forty minutes long, this film is a visual feast and highly entertaining. It is one that those who love period pieces will certainly enjoy. Like a fine wine I first saw this movie as a boy not long after it was released. Needless to say, it barely made an impression and I remembered nothing but the scene with Bathsheba and the coffin. But when I rented the movie 20 years later, it floored me. Gorgeous photography, one of the best scores of all time, and some very fine acting--what more could you ask for? I honestly couldn't understand how this movie remained so underrated for so long until I read the liner notes on the music CD. It seems that audiences who saw Madding Crowd were expecting a big story on a big screen. What they got was an intimate story on a big screen, so they were disappointed. It is this intimacy that makes the movie work so well on video, which is a more intimate medium than film. Although Julie Christie, with her blonde hair and frosted lipstick, looks more 1960s than 1860s, her character still works. As the soldier, the almost unbelievably handsome Terrence Stamp makes it easy to understand how our heroine could fall for such a rogue. Peter Finch gives us a Boldwood who is dignified and truly pathetic. And Alan Bates is as amazing as always (which reminds me--if you love movies of this high caliber, then you must rent or buy Women in Love). I watch this beautiful film once every three years or so. It is interesting how my perspective on the characters changes as I age. It is also interesting how this movie would garner a G rating today, yet fairly steams with repressed passion. This movie doesn't need profanity or nudity to make its point, it does that through artistry alone. It is the kind of movie you don't just watch, but savor. Buy Far From The Madding Crowd at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Far From The Madding Crowd Search with the Priority Search Engine on Far From The Madding Crowd This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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