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Synopsis
Nicholas Renton's Far From The Madding Crowd [1998] is an adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel of the same name. It is a rollicking tale of love, betrayal and the triumph of goodness, blended together to create an extremely entertaining film.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Far From The Madding Crowd is an evocative and sumptuous adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic novel set in the 19th Century. The arrival of Bathsheba Everdene (Paloma Baeza) as mistress of Weatherbury Farm causes quite a stir in the all-male environment of the Corn Exchange. A beautiful and proud youg woman with a fiercely independent spirit, she soon ensnares and almost destroys the lives of the three men who love her - local shepherd Gabriel Oak (Nathaniel Parker), gentleman famer Mr Boldwood (Nigel Terry) and the womanising Sergeant Frank Troy (Jonathan Firth). SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...Far from the Madding Crowd (1998)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
146 of 148 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have watched this so many times that my original VHS-format is falling to pieces! One of Hardy's most accessible novels, this story quite daringly (for its time) deals with such issues as love, patience and the -- often devastating -- effects of human sexuality. It is all done, though, with great humanity and even the villain has some redeeming features. There's little black-and-white in Hardy's portraits of the three men all humming around Bathsheba like bees. Nor is she herself a simplistic character.
As with the best of British television costume dramas, this 1998 version features some very well-known and -loved actors, although I believe that Paloma Baeza may not have been so well-known when she was cast as the female lead. Nathaniel Parker is simply stunning -- and irresistible -- as the superb Gabriel Oak (a more appropriate name for his character could not have been devised), and Jonathan Firth is very fine indeed as Sergeant Troy -- this may be his best role yet on the small screen.
The music is charming; the settings and costumes are perfect... Sit back for a few hours, and simply bask in the the warmth of this production. I can't recommend it highly enough.
As with the best of British television costume dramas, this 1998 version features some very well-known and -loved actors, although I believe that Paloma Baeza may not have been so well-known when she was cast as the female lead. Nathaniel Parker is simply stunning -- and irresistible -- as the superb Gabriel Oak (a more appropriate name for his character could not have been devised), and Jonathan Firth is very fine indeed as Sergeant Troy -- this may be his best role yet on the small screen.
The music is charming; the settings and costumes are perfect... Sit back for a few hours, and simply bask in the the warmth of this production. I can't recommend it highly enough.
42 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I thoroughly enjoyed this production - it is closer to Hardy's novel than the earlier version starring Julie Christie. Baeza's reading of Bathsheba Everdine is excellent, totally in character. She skillfully combines Bathsheba's independent spirit with both her youth and naivety. She is at all times consistent and convincing. In the Julie Christie version, Christie overplayed the role, moving away from Hardy's intention, and came close at times to trivialising the character. Also, she did not consistently capture the youthfulness and innocence of Bathsheba. The Everdine/Troy sword scene was also overplayed in the Christie version, including sequences that were not in the novel and which, quite honestly, reduced the emotional impact of this (very important) scene. In the Baeza version, this better captures the emotion of the meeting and adds to the superiority of this version.
The supporting cast (particularly the other key roles) and production is excellent, as it was in the Christie version, although the Christie version veered away from the novel in some points that seemed unnecessary and a bit confusing.
For me, however, Baeza's grasp of Bathsheba was perfect, showing her for the talented young actress she is, and it is this that rates this version, for me, well above the Christie version.
I would recommend this version to any one.
The supporting cast (particularly the other key roles) and production is excellent, as it was in the Christie version, although the Christie version veered away from the novel in some points that seemed unnecessary and a bit confusing.
For me, however, Baeza's grasp of Bathsheba was perfect, showing her for the talented young actress she is, and it is this that rates this version, for me, well above the Christie version.
I would recommend this version to any one.
66 of 69 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is really a great adaptation of the novel - true to not only the plot but as often as possible to Hardy's very conversations. The actors are uniformly excellent, assisted by the subtle, well-paced script, gorgeous scenery and involving plot. I don't think a better version of FFTMC will ever be made and absolutely recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Hardy - or of just sitting in front of an absorbing, fascinating, passionate and sexy costume drama for a few hours!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
the heart of a woman
a little slow at first but soon becomes captivating a story of the true determination of both the sexes . Read more
Published 1 month ago by jeangina
Frustration
It played for exactly 32 minutes and then jammed my DVD player. I was enjoying it up til then! Two weeks later I've made the journey to the nearest town and collected both DVD... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Val
TH would have approved...
Almost perfect adaptation of this great novel,the period 'feel' is spot on.However I have 2 concerns. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. Paul Dorey
Bathsheba does not convince; Gabriel Oak does
This is the first adaptation I have ever seen of "Far from ..."; I have not read the novel. Like others, I do not see the sex appeal of Bathsheba and therefore the whole thing... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Kati K.
Superior to the Theatrical Release
The 1967 film seemed quite good when it first came out, but this 1998 television realisation is much better in all respects -- except, I think, the female character, Bathsheba... Read more
Published 11 months ago by richievee
Faithful and technically perfect
This adaptation is faithful to the novel and technically perfect, the actors are great (you will fall in love with Gabriel-Nathaniel Hawthorne), I spent a full afternoon watching... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Jo
Good in parts
Settings are certainly English however I would say more Devon than Dorset (I could be wrong.) A fairly faithful adaptation of the story and the characters are for the most part... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Gianfranco
a story with depth yet light...a well production TV program
It's a long film to watch but since the story is a life time of a person...it's a lot of them you can learn from the stories of these characters... Read more
Published 23 months ago by C. Lin
far from the madding crowd
an excellent all round film. Shows nathanial parker is more than just toff cop Lynley. The scenery and often brooding menace comes across well.
Published on 19 Jan 2010 by M. Stone
Fantastic adaptation
It's been a long time since I read this book, but I was impressed with the way the rural setting and characters are brought to life in this adaptation. Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2010 by Jenny Wren
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