Julie Christie sings in "Far from the Madding Crowd"

[doberman1ism]

Just as beautiful as when I first heard it sung in the movie. Julie Christie is magnificent and so lovely. Beautiful. Gentle but strong. Truly a womans woman. Bravo, Julie. From a life long fan of yours. Bonnie Lee

[therag123456]

A level syllabus my fecking arse! See it for what it is a cracking piece of cinematography! Plus if I was a gypsy I'd have burnt my caravan for Bethseba!!!

[TheCatJoker]

I saw this movie when I was a teenager and it was my favorite for years. I had the movie program, the record album, and the paperback book.

[SirBounder]

This is not even very good literature to be honest. 'Far from the madding crowd' is a very trite story about life and its offerings. If it were a film today, it would be considered a weak offering even for tea-time TV. The book is not well written and needs replacing.

[heliotropezzz333]

@SirBounder Thomas Hardy is a brilliant writer. He is lyrical,with a deep sympathy for the countryside and its characters, the time, and in creating atmosphere. It's a story about the complications of love and the decisions people make in their lives and the consequences but there's so much more to enjoy in every detail of it, the scenery, and all the characters. I suppose shallow sensibilites attuned to heavily plotted action thrillers wouldn't appreciate it, but there are stil plenty who do.

[technischesKO]

Sir Bounder: "IT'S NOT RELEVANT ANYMORE WORLD". Sir Bounder I was abou t toogive you a considered reply but then I thought perhaps he's just being provocative, are you being provocative SIR?

Mac Mór

[SirBounder]

Isn't it about time we changed some of this crap now? I studied this for 'A' level in 1980 and thirty years later it's still being used. That's not because it's classic, it's laziness from our educators. Let's get rid of Shakespeare too - IT'S NOT RELEVANT ANYMORE WORLD!

[heliotropezzz333]

@SirBounder It's still some of the best literature. If we were only exposed to things we think we would like ,it would be a narrow education. We can discover things by being exposed to them through education and it stretches people. We can learn to appreciate and like new things - though it does not work for everyone.

[pix042]

@SirBounder things may or may not change in the curriculum: to be or not to be, that is the question

[cupabara]

@SirBounder And while we're at it why don't we set fire to the Mona Lisa? She's just taking up space and people don't live like she did anymore. But I do appreciate an unusual opinion.

[Jemzybbz]

I'm doing this at A level, I love it :)

[pix042]

I don't know if Julie is really singing this but her demeanour suggests she is just trying to get through this for duty in the film. Perhasp someone else sings this. Great words, nonetheless.

[alnamree]

I Implore you to Upload the full Movie.

[AllusCats]

This was a great portrayal of Hardy's WESSEX. The Beatles had a strong hold over everyone in 1968 and we all were ready to go there (England) in our minds. Julie is singing here in the film not, Isla Cameron. All so very romantic stuff.

[technischesKO]

Bates is palying an Irish transverse flute which you can still see people plaiyng in Ireland today in pub-sessions etc. When her uncle plays it my daughter calls it "the bicycle-pump"

brosnaboy

[Tregeare]

Sadly Richard Rodnet Bennett's wonderful sound track is not available on CD - Amazon adverttises some second hand versions at £40+. I'd happily buy a new release - marketing opportunity !!

[AllusCats]

@Tregeare I have the entire sountrack on a 33 RPM vinyl record from the original release of the film in 1968 which, I saw three or four times in Provo, Utah in '68. I think this film is better than Polanski's TESS. I would make one and give it away (to avoid any legal troubles) if, you're really longing for it...might have a "crackle" or two but, ala in all it's a good record, still.

[ianchippyone]

The singer was Isla Cameron,

Julie Christie was miming

[AllusCats]

@ianchippyone No...not, in the film - that was Julie. I have the original soundtrack on vinyl and that was when Isla Cameron sang it.

[heliotropezzz333]

@AllusCats Surely the"original soundtrack" means the soundtrack from the film (as in the film), and so it was Isla Cameron's voice, as also stated in the IMDb film site.

[AllusCats]

@heliotropezzz333 Yes, it was Julie Christy singing in the film. Isla Cameron was brought into the studio to record the song on the soundtrack album on MGM records...so, was another male singer to sing "Seeds Of Love" on the soundtrack album, to replace the actor John Barrett (who played the Joesph Poorgrass role & sang it in the film). Soundtrack albums don't always mirror image a film's every detail. The music here is verbatim off of the filmtrack but, the songs & vocals are not.

[heliotropezzz333]

@AllusCats If that was the case the soundtrack with Isla Cameron could not be marketed as "the original soundtrack". What evidence do you have that Julie Christie was the singer in the film?

[AllusCats]

@heliotropezzz333 I have no "evidence" other than my musician's ear. The voice in the film is Julie's. John Barrett sings "Seeds of Love" in the film but, not on the soundtrack album. The same is true of Julie/Isla. Use your extrapolation logic.

[heliotropezzz333]

@AllusCats Can you tell the difference between Isla Cameron's voice and Julie Christie's? Isla may have been chosen because of the similarity of the voices. I can't see the point of having a different person for the album only, who is less well know and less likely to sell the album. I would think the only sure way of knowing is to read the film credits.

[AllusCats]

@heliotropezzz333 Yes, I can tell the difference between Julie and Isla. And remember also, "Seeds of Love" was sung by different people, with respect to the film and the album. Do some investigating and reply back...I bet you'll find that I'm right on this. If not, I'll admit it.

[heliotropezzz333]

@AllusCats I've got a video of the film somewhere, so I'll try and find the relevant bit of the film credits when I get time, and get back on this.

[AllusCats]

@heliotropezzz333 I checked on wikipedia and they say that Julie is mimming. I disagree because, the singing voice is such a close match to Julie's speaking voice - thin and sweet. Isla's is deeper and thicker. I hear these things from a long history of music and sound sensitivity. I think wiki is mistaken. Trevor Lucas sang the John Barrett song on the record..."Seeds of Love".

[PadrethePio]

1:17 they're all thinking what I'm thinking!

[dandreboy]

First watched and heard this in the summer of 1973,although I was just a mere child it captivated me.Have watched it over and over again and have never grown tired of the gorgeous Julie Christie.

[VTMCompany]

what is alan bates playing?

[heliotropezzz333]

@VTMCompany Bushes and Briars, on the flute.

[Nicklas4500]

Her singing voice reminds me more of Nico than Sandy Denny. Either way, I'm in love.

[heliotropezzz333]

I'm afraid it's not Julie Christie's voice. I looked it up on the IMDB film site, but I can't now remember the singer's name. It seems a perfect match for her though.

[Wecknachricht]

an extraordinary graceful woman

[ausendundeinenacht]

@Wecknachricht EXACTLY

[coolcattzzzz]

i wish i could find this song to download

[epopti]

OMG, you said exactly what this causes: "This brings a tear to the eye in the same way that bagpipes send a tingle down the spine."

Thank you very much for posting this exquisite clip!

[annettemarie1969]

Its really lovely hearing this again...thanks for posting it.

[SumnerMurrayRedstone]

Gorgeous. As is the woman herself. The more one learns about the secretive Christie the more one respects her. Amazing person.

[ramron333]

did swarb appear in this film?

[mutherh]

I love this film so thanks for posting. And it does remind me of Sandy Denny

[KroovyMonsoon]

Very lovely. Julie's delivery of the song reminds me of Sandy Denny a bit.

[mutherh]

I've been listening to Sandy Denny this afternoon and I must agree Julie Christie's singing reminds me of her.

[funex1]

I love the two country faces at 1min 22. Interesting most of the women sit away from the table.

Who wouldn't fall for Julie Christie/Bathsheba?!

[julia59]

Thank you for posting! I love this movie so much!

[barryrhill]

This is one of my favourite films. It is all so well done. Thank you for putting this on the net.

[Sibelius92]

Thro bushes and thro briars

I've lately took my way

All for to hear the small birds sing

And the lambs to skip and play

All for....REPEAT

I overhead my own truelove

his voice did sound so clear

Long time I have been waiting for

The coming of my dear

Long time....REPEAT

[ausendundeinenacht]

@Sibelius92 sooo beautyfull

sooo trminiscent of old almost forgotten times

[heliotropezzz333]

@Sibelius92 If you listen, I think it's " I lately took my way"

not "(I've lately took my way", which means "I have lately took" - and is not grammatical)

[Sibelius92]

Sometimes I am uneasy

And troubled in my mind

Sometimes I think I'll go to my love

And tell to him my mind.

But if I should go to my love

My love he will say nay

If I showed to him my boldness

He'd ne'er love me again

If I showed...REPEAT

[FischerFan]

This is one of my favourite scenes of this movie. Thanks so much for posting! I absolutely loved Julie's singing.

Somehow, I remember her voice being a little softer; but that was probably from watching a grainy, poorer-quality VHS copy on television.

Gotta love those traditional Old British/Celtic songs and how this movie literally reincarnates Victorian-era Wessex.

[chrisart7]

Good news for American audiences: this film will be released on DVD in January, 2009, as per Amazon.

[julia59]

Thank you!

[coolcattzzzz]

I swear ive watched this scene on the computer at least 100 times lol

[cricketpaulcricket]

This is my 2nd favourite film of all time.[Butch Cassidy is No 1] Just perfect in every way. Alan Bates was just breathtaking. fabulous scenery & beautifully filmed

[KellyGreen5555]

One of my favourite films...so beautiful & haunting. Thank you for posting.