Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

ShangLuda Admirable film.

Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

leethomas-11621 Left me detached compared to '67 Christie/Stamp/Finch/Bates film. I gave that 8 stars. A scene that seemed to capture the times so beautifully in that version was the meal Bethsheba shares with her workers. There, she sat inside while her staff sat outside like they were at a picnic! In this version it all takes place very quietly in the dark with little obvious joy. Anyhow, worth seeing but watch the Schlesinger film for a better adaptation.

The_Prodigal_One Having now seen this twice,I feel this adaptation could have been so much more. Let's start with the good points; cinematography is beautiful, the countryside has never looked more stunning, makes me want to visit it more often. The actors are on form - Sheen really delivers,the part of Liddy is also worth noting. The music is also good and doesn't impose.Now the bad, it felt as if the director picked the main bits of the book that he remembered from class and packed them into the film. The atmosphere and build up is definitely missing. I think half an hour more could have added more and given it the payoff that it deserved. In short it ended up being a late Sunday evening affair that should be on a TV screen rather than cinema.

Sandy0095 This film is based on the Thomas Hardy novel by the same name. It follows Bathsheba Everdene through the course of three male suitors in 1870. We start the movie when she's still quite young and impoverished, though incredibly headstrong. Her neighbor Gabriel Oak immediately proposes marriage, but she turns him down.A few years later, Bathsheba inherits her uncle's estate. Gabriel Oak stumbles upon it after losing his own home. Bathsheba hires him as a laborer when both agree there's no more tension between them. However tension ensues when several suitors become interested in Bathsheba's unusual independence. One is the hilariously clueless William Boldwood, who's several years older. The other is bad boy Francis Troy. Despite being headstrong, she falls for Francis' charisma and troubles emerge. A love triangle is formed between herself and the 3 men in her life.Carrie Mulligan does a great job as Bathsheba Everdene. She plays a modern woman stuck in the restrictive 19th century. Throughout the film, she is constantly fighting to prove her own worth. Her independence often attracting the wrong men. My only issue is with their interpretation of Francis Troy. Bathsheba falls for him immediately, despite his over the top, smarmy attitude. I know this comes from the source material, but it happens so suddenly on film. Bathsheba goes from loving Francis, to pining for Gabriel, to toying with William's affection without pause. Despite wonderful performances from the entire cast, more context would've been appreciated. About 20 minutes more screen time, and the film would've been perfect.

scottshak_111 Far from the Madding Crowd is a movie that lets us dig into the extraordinary Thomas Hardy genius that gorgeously scales his unique style of story building. David Nicholls knits a fine screenplay to complement the powerful Hardy plot. Thomas Vinterberg on the other hand helms sheer magic. His direction is subtle, focuses on the call of the hour and displays only the best bits he thinks worth depicting.Born in this era I didn't have the good hap of watching the first one first, so I decided to accept whatever was flung before me. The setup even though modishly shot doesn't even for once gives away the intended timeline. You can't help but compare it to the likes of Gone with the Wind. There are magnificently shot landscapes that will compel you to marvel at innate scenery our planet offers. Lush farms and the tranquility surrounding it will force you to have second thoughts about all the urban choices you made.SPOILERS AHEAD: When we look at the cast, Carey Mulligan was an extraordinary find. The role she plays – Bathsheba Everdene is a girl with education, an independent woman who doesn't want to be tied down by promises of love. She can't be picketed down like someone's property, until she hits an infatuation herself in the form of Sergeant Francis Troy played by Tom Sturridge. She becomes bewitched at once, slave to her emotions and that's when a terrible mistake happens. Like she puts it "between jealousy and distraction" she marries him. It is hard not to feel sorry for her to find the inconsiderate guy that doesn't give two rats about her, and two jilted lovers who only hoped for the best in the backdrop. Carey's character will also peeve you beyond limit when she turns down brilliant advices by Gabriel Oak played by Matthias Schoenaerts. But isn't that how life happens to us all? One moment we think we are right only to tumble and rise again. Bathsheba is quite relatable in that respect, and she gets forgiven as well.The sheep bit in the beginning was one of the gloomiest unfortunate events to have befallen Oak. It was impactful in a way that was capable of flinging you in a sudden gush of emotions. There was nothing Oak could have done to stop that from happening. As the sheep fell all I could remember was being the "The Catcher in the Rye". Really powerful stuff! The thing that miffed me was Gabriel Oak's acting. Even though the script desired him to stay taut like a rock, we don't see him nail any kind of emotion ever. His act is banal and makes you wonder if he was the right choice for the role. William Boldwood played by Michael Sheen, au contraire acted brilliantly and aced his character to perfection. Jilted finds a meaning on his face, as he takes the gun to pass the eventual poetic justice. Also, I couldn't help but notice there was no such gut-wrenching drama to it, presence of which could have possibly made the movie even better. However, in the end every frame was worth it.A very well written, acted and shot flick! Far from the Madding Crowd will impel you to question the choices your reckless head makes.