FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
UK, 1967, 167 minutes, Colour.
Julie Christie, Terence Stamp, Peter Finch, Alan Bates, Prunella Ransome, Fiona Walker.
Directed by John Schlesinger.
Far From the Madding Crowd takes us to Sussex, Hardy country. Thomas Hardy's story of Bathsheba Everdene, her farm, her work, her neighbours and the three men in her life is brought to the screen in a beautiful visualisation which some critics say does not give full impact to Hardy's brooding pessimism and the strange ways of fate and destiny for men and women In nineteenth century southern England.
However, the ingredients are all there and are worth reflection. John Schlesinger has a change of pace from his previous films, A Kind of Loving (with Alan Bates), Billy Liar and Darling (both of which featured Julie Christie). His next films were to be Midnight Cowboy and Sunday, Bloody Sunday (with Peter Finch). No one can quarrel with the beautiful use of the country setting, so well done that it is as alive as the people who inhabit it - the farms, village, corn exchange, churches, seaside, carnivals and so on. Acting is good, Julie Christie reminding one of her Lara in Doctor Zhivago. Terence Stamp does his best with what is essentially a nineteenth century melodramatic role. Peter Finch brings an impassioned intensity to his role as Mr Boldwood. An excellent picture of the times.
1. Hardy 'a Wessex was set far from the ignoble strife of the madding crowd. How did this film impress as a picture of country life and of people whose roots were in the land?
2. How did the location photography enhance the story and understanding of the characters?
3. What kind of a woman was Bathsheba Everdene? Hard, self-centred, even callous?
4. Why did she not marry Gabriel Oak? Why could she not love Mr Boldwood?
5. What was it in Sergeant Troy that drew out her love? How did the sword-play sequence communicate in a few minutes the change in Bathsheba? Why did their marriage not succeed? Why had Troy married her?
6. Was Bathsheba Everdene ahead of her times as an independent woman? How did the neighbours and her household see her - the fire, the interviews, the work in the fields, the sheep, the outside dinner?
7. Where did Bathsheba show herself as most feminine? was she impulsive and contradictory? - sacking Gabriel then sending for him for the sheep, her marriage (and the visit to the seaside), her sending the valentine to Mr Boldwood?
8. What role did Gabriel Oak play in the film? - genuine, hardworking, punished by fate, diligent (at the fire, the bloated sheep, the ricks in the storm) and devoted?
9. What role did Mr Boldwood play? - the squire (yet sowing the grain with his men), the romantic bachelor, the possibility of security for Bathsheba?
10. Why did Boldwood become obsessed with Bathsheba? How did Peter Finch convey the obsessions of Boldwood in his acting? Why did Boldwood shoot Troy? What impression did the short scene of Boldwood's face in prison make? feeling for Boldwood?
11. What role did Sergeant Troy play? How did knowledge of hie dealings with Fanny (was he too harsh with her when his pride was hurt at the wedding?) affect attitudes towards him when he married Bathsheba?
12. How did his behaviour at the wedding feast and his irresponsibility towards the farm reveal his character?
13. Surprise when Troy showed that he really loved Fanny - her return in the stable, Bathsheba's jealousy at looking in the coffin, Troy's grief for Fanny?
14. Why did Troy disappear?
15. Why did he return? What did his Dick Turpin act show of his character? Why did he re-appear at Mr Boldwood's party?
16. Why was fate or destiny shown to play such an important part in these people's lives - the mad dog with the sheep, the valentine sent out of vanity, Fanny mistaking the church?
17. Comment on this film as showing people affected by their environment, struggling with nature.
