Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

GORGEOUSLY DEPICTED WITH SLIGHT RE-ORDER TO THE EVENTS AND THEMES ***QUICK CONTRAST TO HARDY'S NOVEL AND THE 1967 CLASSIC INCLUDED AT BOTTOM OF THIS REVIEW From the dazzlingly rich colors, beautiful countryside, moments of revelry or gripping sadness, not to mention the emotional soundtrack, this adaptation is just stunning in so many ways. The story is reordered from the book in just a few places to save certain revelations till near the end and emphasize romantic situations. The original novel is actually quite short so this is a rare instance where the movie actually has a chance to develop some aspects more than the print. I reread the book and re-watched the 1967 classic at the same time and have left a few impressions at the end of this review. This adaptation emphasizes some themes more for modern audiences while minimizing others. For instance, female strength is emphasized more here while vanity is less prominent (vanity was a very important theme in the original tale). I really liked the fresh take, though some purists have expressed disappointment. My intent is to simply describe and direct according to each individual taste. THE STORY (no spoilers): Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) arrives to live with her aunt Mrs. Hurst on a farm in Wessex (partially fictionalized region in south west England) and befriends a neighbor Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts) who is renting a sheep farm next to them. He has loans, but improving fortunes that will bring him prosperity and his own land someday. Bathsheba is intelligent and beautiful, but has little fortunes of her own. Though Gabriel declares his interest in marriage, Bathsheba is independent and doesn't wish to be tied down. The tide of fortunes will swirl for each of them and Bathsheba inherits a lucrative property of her own. She quickly proves that she is an able and benevolent land holder. Circumstances will bring the two together again, but Bathsheba will attract three potential suitors. A neighboring squire Mr. William Boldwood (Michael Sheen) is the wealthy gentleman to Gabriel's noble-hearted worker class. Both seem a little awkward around women. Contrast that with the third prospect, Sergeant Francis Troy (Tom Sturridge) portrayed as a gallant and ladies' man. Each of them will try to solve the puzzle that is Bathsheba Eberdene. OTHER THOUGHTS: There is a brief homage to the 1967 version when Bathsheba addresses her new employees. The movie presents the scene in much the same way as the 1967 version (this scene and some of the language is in some versions of the much revised novel). The cinematography in this update is rich with color and landscape. The soundtrack is amazing with evocative violin pieces, a little English country dance, and a haunting ballad sung by Carey Mulligan called "Let No Man Steal Your Thyme". The soundtrack can be found here: Far From the Madding Crowd - O.S.T. The 1967 Movie classic can be found here: Far from the Madding Crowd You can click on either DVD or Blu-Ray there. CONTRASTS WITH BOOK AND 1967 CLASSIC VERSION (still no spoilers): Note that my point here is not to say one is better than the other as they are made in different eras with different styles. Both are now favorites of mine for different reasons. In this version I didn't mind the reorder of the "sheep" event and change in themes. I enjoy the original book and its somewhat parable-esque theme of vanity. I do think this 2015 version is very careful in what it changes. The reordered parts are inserted latter to maintain almost all the important scenes from the book. As I said, the book is short, so both the 1967 and 2015 movie versions are able to develop some scenes even more than the book. That is very unusual for film adaptations. The 1967 movie does stick more strictly with Hardy's themes and order of events. However, I also think this adaptation allows for a rich telling with more sympathetic characters. The 2015 version eliminates some (not all) of the conflict between Mr. Boldwood and Sergeant Troy in order to change some of Boldwood's motivations later on. One could say Troy is given a hint more potential in his first couple scenes (first church scene). Mr. Boldwood is a little less emotional and his final actions more appreciable. Vanity has a very important role in the book and explains some of Bathsheba's motivations and actions. The 2015 version makes her perhaps more steady and capable, sharper and even more willing to roll up her sleeves and jump in the muck to work. She is less vain, but still makes her human mistakes. Sacrifice becomes a theme at the end rather than perhaps obsession for a certain character. For a few purists, these may be deal breakers and my intent is to describe that for you also. I do think this version is more adapted for a modern audience and I think even most Hardy fans will be pleased. The emphasis on Bathsheba's strengths, more than her vanity, was no accident I am sure. Most will appreciate that as the driving design behind this version. However, purists should temper their expectations going in.