Customer Reviews
Far From the Madding Crowd - Paloma Baeza - By: , 25 Aug 2005 
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, totallly in character. She skillfully combines Bathsheba's independent spirit with both her youth & naivety. She is at alll times consistent & convincing. In the Julie Christie version, Christie overplayed the role, moving away from Hardy's intention, & came close at times to trivialising the character. Also, she did not consistently capture the youthfulness & innocence of Bathsheba. The Everdine/Troy sword scene was also overplayed in the Christie version, including sequences that were not in the novel & which, quite honestly, reduced the emotional impact of this (very important) scene. In the Baeza version, this better captures the emotion of the meeting & adds to the superiority of this version.
The supporting cast (particularly the other key roles) & 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 & a bit confusing.
For me, however, Baeza's grasp of Bathsheba was perfect, showing her for the talented young actress she is, & it is this that rates this version, for me, well above the Christie version.
I would recommend this version to any one.
Magical... - By: , 19 Nov 2003 
Nice photography & very good actors. Jonathan Firth is perfect as the devilish handsome sergeant Troy, as is Nigel Terry as the ill with love gentleman farmer Boldwood. Bathsheba is the only one that isn't so good. This is only one smalll detail that definitively won't spoil your pleasure in watching this movie. Prepare to see a true tale of love & betrayal with alll the best ingredients : Jealousy, passion, revenge, murder, & more...
Thomas Hardy at its best - By: , 10 Nov 2003 Far from the Madding crowd is a brilliant film & follows closely to the plot of the original novel. Thomas Hardy creates a world of lust, love & devotion ending with dramatic consequences. Nathaniel Parker is the perfect Gabriel Oak even down to his impecable accent. Farmer Boldwood is a brilliant portrayal as well, you truly feel his pain of unrequiented love. The only downside to this film is the character who plays Bathsheba Everdean, though quite close to the original character there is something about her that doesn't quite fit. However, if like me you are a fan of Hardy's novels & like films which are true to the novel then this is for you, it will have you glued to your seat waiting to find out who Bathsheba finallly chooses & the consequences of these actions. An Excellant film alll round.
This Book is both exiting and romantic. - By: , 21 Apr 2001 Far From The Madding Crowd is a wonderful novel by Thomas Hardy. It is easy to relate to the memorable charactures. The main charactures have strong, & powerful roles in this novel of Romance. The storyline is a very well thought one with lots of action. It is the tale of a Farmers never ending love for a young girl who already has admirers. This is a very well written story & I recommend it to alll.
