Customer Reviews

Far From the Madding Crowd [VHS]

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This latest dramatization of Far From the Madding Crowd (my favorite Thomas Hardy novel) is true to the novel's characters and to its romantic countryside mood. Nathaniel Parker as Gabriel is an example of perfect casting - expressive, gentle and stalwart; and the others are wonderful too. Paloma Baeza seems at first a bit too thoughtful to resemble impetuous Bathsheba but she really acts and looks like a 19th century woman. Jonathan Firth's dashing Troy is the picture of reckless disregard. This version, in my opinion, is MUCH better than the 1960s Julie Christie version, which resembles more a 1960s translation of Hardy than Hardy himself. (And Christie looked nothing like Hardy's dark-haired independent heroine; she was wrong, wrong.) This PBS version is very right, very authentic. A classy, romantic production; I'm glad they filmed it again.

Full of beautiful scenery and colorful characters from the lead actors to the supporting cast. I watched it three times on my local PBS station and fell in love with the movie more each time. Nathaniel Parker as the faithful and patient Gabriel Oak turned me into a fan. If you enjoyed Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility this is your kind of movie.

I have watched this version several times and must commend it for being more faithful to Hardy and to the spirit of the novel. The use of mostly unknown actors adds to the authenticity of the film, as does the sometimes incomprehensible dialect (that's one reason why one viewing may not do it justice).

The 1967 version with big name actors had its merits, but none of the flavor of the English countryside and its cycle of seasons. Nathaniel Parker is the ultimate Gabriel Oak: wise, trustworthy and patient to a fault. Paloma Baeze is perfect as the willful Bathsheba, Nigel Terry is excellent as an aging suitor descending into madness. Lastly, the music is a wonderful blend of English folk songs and haunting melody.

A superb effort and another reason to watch BBC TV,as if you needed one more.

Having read this book more than once (it is my favorite Thomas Hardy book, and one of my favorite books of all time), and having seen both filmed versions, I have to say that the 1967 version (with Alan Bates, Julie Christie and Peter Finch) cannot hold a candle to this Mobil Masterpiece Theatre presentation (with Nathaniel Parker, Paloma Baeza and Nigel Terry).

The 1967 version was a great disappointment to me -- Julie Christie was, as another reviewer pointed out, too old for the part of Bathsheba, did not fit Hardy's description of her at all, and has never impressed me as much of an actress -- a major casting faux pas, in my opinion. Peter Finch, in an admirable performance as Boldwood, did not elicit the strong feeling of empathy from me, as Nigel Terry did in his portrayal of the character. The greatest surprise to me, in regard to the earlier version, was that I also felt the same about Alan Bates' performance as Gabriel Oak -- he just did not convey the emotions and the quality of Oak's character, as described by Hardy in the book, and I found his portrayal to be PAINFULLY bland and boring. Part of the blame would have to be shared by the director of that version -- the actors appeared to be acting, and neither they, nor the director, seemed to have a firm grasp or understanding of the explicit emotions and personalities of the characters, which Hardy had gone to great effort and detail to describe in the book.

Having seen Nathaniel Parker's interpretation of Gabriel Oak, I cannot imagine anyone else playing the part -- it was the first time I had seen Mr. Parker in any performance, and he ripped my heart out with his portrayal of this noble, dignified, aggrieved and tormented soul. Paloma Baeza was perfectly cast as Bathsheba, and she, Nigel Terry (Boldwood), and Jonathan Firth (Sergeant Troy), seemed to have a thorough comprehension of, and sensitivity toward, the characters as they were intended by Thomas Hardy -- they appeared to have walked straight out of the pages of the book! In addition, the sensitive and intuitive direction by Nicholas Renton drew powerful performances from all, including a superior supporting cast. The accurate period costumes, and beautiful sets and cinematography, serve to round out a production of true quality.

I highly recommend to anyone interested in this story, that he or she consider reading the book first. Although this screenplay remains fairly true to the book, some of the detail which enhances understanding and feeling for the characters, the time period, and the plot, was edited due to time constraints, as is common with filmed productions of great pieces of literature.

although i do love the julie christie/alan bates version, this newer version is much more faithful to the book, and includes unforgettable scenes not in the earlier version, such as the scene in which farmer oak witnesses bathsheba's erotic horseback riding when she thinks she's alone. nathaniel parker is THE gabriel oak. the fanny robin in this version is absolutely heartbreaking. paloma baeza is wonderful as bathsheba, and all the other actors are excellent. the farming/sheep tending aspects of this version seem completely authentic, and so many of the actors seem to be right out of hardy's actual landscape. if you only buy one version, buy this one. i hope to see it rereleased on dvd soon.

This film, and the tv version of Pride and Prejudice, are by far the greatest 19th century dramas I've ever seen. The cast here is masterful - Paloma as Bathsheba, and especially Nathaniel Parker, whose spoken and unspoken expressiveness communicates such a depth of both patient and steady loyalty, compassion, love and turbulent, repressed feeling and desire; he is absolutely haunting! This is a film to watch again and again. My only criticisms are that Boldwood is simply too old and unattractive for us to fully believe in his appeal to young women, and that Nathaniel Parker is simply too handsome to be the homely, rejected but kindhearted Gabriel Oak of this very excellent novel. (And by the way, do read some wonderful quotes from the highly recommended Hardy novel and view photos from the movie at my Far from the Madding Crowd site - under the name BathshebaOak Hardy at Readers Vine!)

I loved this Masterpiece Theater's mini series so much that I bought the video; now I can watch it again and again! Bathsheba Everdene, played brilliantly by the stunning Paloma Baeza (who has the most beautiful speaking voice) unwittingly casts her spell upon three very different men. There is the kind and loyal Gabriel Oak who is convincingly played by Nathaniel Parker. He is Bathsheba's dearest friend, her rock, and the overseer of her estate. Gabriel deeply loves Bathsheba from afar but since he tragically lost his fortune, he can no longer pursue her.
Boldwood (Nigel Terry), the strange and psychotic wealthy neighbor, and the dastardly Officer Frank Troy (Jonathan Firth) also have relationships (albeit abnormal) with Bathsheba. This is a period piece with both lovely and stark scenes of the English countryside. Through much drama, Bathsheba finally comes to her senses at the end of this four-hour production and proposes to the long-suffering Oak. I just love a movie where everyone lives happily ever after!

Hardy's Wessex is brought to life in this wonderful adaptation.

Bathsheba Everdine is the beautiful and strong willed mistress of a sheep farm. She raises eyebrows, breaks hearts and makes some bad decisions about love and farming, but has Gabriel Oak to rescue her. Great performances by Paloma Baeza as Bathsheba, Nathaniel Parker as Gabriel and Nigel Terry as Boldwood. There's lots of unconsumated chemistry betw. Baeza and Parker.

Far superior to the 60s Hollywood adaptation.

I am also waiting to buy this DVD when and if it is released for US viewing.

I happened to catch this when it first played on TV.It impressed me so much that I decided that I needed to read the book.Usually,I get more and more disillusioned with a movie after I read the book.On the contrary ,with this one,I was so impressed with what they kept in and how they so respectfully kept the feeling of the book.
The actors were incredible!There was no narration in the movie,but there were seriously moments reading the book that I found that I already knew what a charater was feeling or thinking,only because the actor playing that part had so thoroughly conveyed it with body language or just a look in their eye!
I highly recomend this movie to anyone who has(or hasn't)read the book.It is very well done on all levels and I don't think that you will be disappointed!