Far From the Madding Crowd2015
Far From the Madding Crowd (2015)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Far from the Madding Crowd invites tough comparisons to Thomas Hardy's classic novel -- and its previous adaptation -- but stands on its own thanks to strong direction and a talented cast.
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Movie Info
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Cast
as Bathsheba Everdene
as Frank Troy
as Gabriel Oak
as William Boldwood
as Fanny Robin
as Liddy
as Jacob Smallbury
as Boldwood's Butler
as Joseph Poorgrass
as Laban Tall
as Village Girl & Ballroom Girl
as Lizzy
as Billy Smallbury
as Susan Tall
as Constable
as Workhouse Gatekeeper
as Everdean Farmhand
as Dancer
as Upper class party guest
as Party Guest
as Party Guest
as Party Guest
as Workhouse Official
as Everdene Farm Worker
as Everdene Farm Worker
as Everdene Farm Worker
as Everdene Farm Worker
as Everdene Farmer
as Everdene Farmer
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Critic Reviews for Far From the Madding Crowd
All Critics (179) | Top Critics (44) | Fresh (153) | Rotten (26)
The movie places the swoonier love story aspects of Far From the Madding Crowd in the forefront, but it also, more interestingly, surfaces its coming-of-age qualities.
Moviegoers often say, "Forget about the book, even if it's a 'classic.' How does the film work on its own terms?" But that's the point: On its own terms, it's bewildering.
A good, solid version of this novel, guided by Mulligan, is still an achievement.
Vinterberg's classical, pastoral aesthetic recalls the heyday of the Merchant Ivory films, without the corny sentimentality of their lesser imitators.
It's beautifully old and atmospheric without feeling dated.
Carey Mulligan is an inspired choice to play Bathsheba... She's cool and confident; we come to respect her strength and appreciate that she doesn't need a man to be complete.
Audience Reviews for Far From the Madding Crowd
Vinterberg tones down the melodrama of Hardy's pastoral novel to make a more sober adaptation but misses the intensity of the protagonist's misery - which is not only a fault of his off-putting direction but also because Carey Mulligan is clearly miscast in the role.
Super Reviewer
Bathsheba Everdene attempts to run an estate without the social benefits of marriage in this Thomas Hardy adaptation. Director Thomas Vinterberg may have been well aware that late nineteenth century feminism may seem passe to a modern audience, so he spends the majority of this adaptation focusing solely on character development, particularly that of Bathsheba and Gabriel. As a result, the novel's criticisms of late Victorian society take a back seat to the rather pedestrian romance, which unfolds predictably. Carey Mulligan is lovely and strong, but there's too much modern independence in her performance; we don't doubt for a moment that she has the capability of running the estate, yet for the original Bathsheba, this may have been a matter of some suspense. Matthias Schoenaerts is dreamy, and that's about all that can be said for his performance. Overall, Far from the Madding Crowd is a competent adaptation of one of a great author's lesser novels.
Super Reviewer
Beautiful looking film is missing the lyricism of the '67 version. The loss of almost an hour's running time hurts the story. As for the performances Carey Mulligan is a more somber Bathsheba than Julie Christie was, that's not bad just different and Matthias Schoenaerts is very good as Gabriel Oak. Michael Sheen is the main sufferer, along with Juno Temple as Fanny Robin, from the editing of the story losing a great deal of character depth in Boldwood but he does what he can. Sturridge however is a disaster as Sgt. Troy, a blank slate who does things with no real rhyme nor reason. It's the actor not the role because Terence Stamp made him electric in the earlier version.
Super Reviewer
Far From the Madding Crowd Quotes
| Bathsheba Everdene: | Please don't desert me, Gabriel! |
| Bathsheba Everdene: | I'm too independent for you. If I ever were to marry, I'd want somebody to tame me and you'd never be able to do it. You'd grow to despise me. |
| William Boldwood: | I want... very much to protect you. For the rest of your life. |
| Frank Troy: | You've never seen you through a man's eyes. It's like not being able to think. |