Far From The Madding Crowd on DVD (1967)

Excellent

A customer from Buckinghamshire , 11/01/2005

It is a long time since I saw this film and had forgotten how good it is. Not too much has dated [apart from the dodgy hair styles and wigs] and remains a powerful story.

The casting of Julie Christie as Bathsheba is a tad far fetched as she must be at least 10 years older than her characture, but the other parts played by Terence Stamp, Peter Finch and Alan Bates are brilliant.

The film captures Hardys love of the area and shows farming in all its wet and windy reality - no wonder Troy was so attractive ... anything to get away from all that mud!

4 generations of family all really enjoyed this film over Christmas; no wonder - it has a strong story, wonderful photography, some weepy romance, men behaving very badly and a satisfactory conclusion. It's a classic.

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Reasonable interpretation of the book

Big Ad from Deepest Worcestershire [Highly rated reviewer] , 06/07/2006

The acting is poor in view of the cast and the bizarre pronouciation of 'Bathsheba'. It's not a bad film though and certainly better than any modern BBC interpretation could be! The cinematography is beautiful - shot in Wiltshire & Dorset - Hardy Country! Well worth watching whether you've read the book or not. It's a tale of how bad both men and women can be. The ending for Bathsheba is, perhaps better than she deserves, though I won't spoil it for you. Her pain, though, she brings upon herself and others suffer from her actions. She in turn suffers from making a very bad choice. Watch this!

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Outstanding

Ken Hill from Birmingham , 13/02/2005

This movie immerses you in a world very different from ours, the life of rural England before technology had connected it with urban sophistication. If you want nonstop action and at least three 'funny' quips per minute, pass it by. If you have the patience to let a timeless story unfold at its own pace, however, you will find this one rewarding. 10 - 10

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Awful Memories

jonnyboy88 from New Malden , 26/09/2008

I had to study FFMC for GCSE, frankly I found the book so dull it put me off ever reading Thomas Hardy again. The film was just as bad, although the two debonair's for Bathsheba heart with their 'sword' fight was amusing. Especially when our english teacher pointed out it referred to a part of their anatomy.

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Reasonable interpretation of the book

Big Ad from Deepest Worcestershire [Highly rated reviewer] , 06/07/2006

The acting is poor in view of the cast and the bizarre pronouciation of 'Bathsheba'. It's not a bad film though and certainly better than any modern BBC interpretation could be! The cinematography is beautiful - shot in Wiltshire & Dorset - Hardy Country! Well worth watching whether you've read the book or not. It's a tale of how bad both men and women can be. The ending for Bathsheba is, perhaps better than she deserves, though I won't spoil it for you. Her pain, though, she brings upon herself and others suffer from her actions. She in turn suffers from making a very bad choice. Watch this!

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Annoying

Dogdays from Saltburn-by-the-Sea , 12/06/2008

Now i cant say that ive ever read the book, so i dont know if the lead female character was meant to be so annoying? If she is then the role is played to perfection. She is arrogant , self-righteous and totally self obsessed. The movie does depict somewhat truthfully that its the bad lad that a woman will love, whilst its the good guys who get hurt. Felt sympathy towards every other character, including the rogue sergeant, except for Bathsheba.

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