Far From The Madding Crowd (Overture)

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The overture from the 1967 film version of Thomas Hardy's 1874 novel "Far From The Madding Crowd" with photos and poster art from both the 1967 movie along with the 1998 BBC version, as well as illustrations from the book. After "Tess Of The D'Urbervilles", this is my favorite Hardy novel, with "The Return Of The Native", "The Woodlanders" and the less well-known "A Pair Of Blue Eyes" third, fourth and fifth respectively. The original score was composed by Richard Rodney Bennett (here performed by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra), which was Oscar-nominated. John Schlesinger's production presented Julie Christie as the beautiful, headstrong Bathsheba Everdene, who, in rural 19th century England, inherits a farm and decides to manage it herself, while she is loved by three diverse men. Gabriel Oak (Alan Bates), the shepard who loves her sincerely and remains loyal throughout it all, Farmer Boldwood (Peter Finch), whose infatuation with the willful beauty becomes increasingly obsessive, and rakish Sergant Frank Troy (Terence Stamp), who fascinates and thrills Bathsheba, but he is not what he seems, and this revelation leads to tragic consequences. The BBC film stars Paloma Baeza in the lead, with Nathaniel Parker as Gabriel, Nigel Terry as Boldwood and Jonathan Firth as Troy. Although I enjoyed both presentations, I have a special place for Schlesinger's adaptation, perhaps mainly because I am a huge fan of Christie, Bates and Stamp. Although well-received in Britain, the epic film was dismissed by critics in the US, which may account for its unavailability on region 1 DVD and scant VHS copies, the other version is also hard to find. I really love the chemistry and brilliant cinematography in the earlier picture, so rustically captured by Nicholas Roeg, and Christie and Bates would team together again four years later as the ill-fated Edwardian lovers in Joesph Losey's "The Go-Between". Considered to be the most pastoral of Hardy's novels, set in his fictional Wessex, "Crowd" is filled with many biblical parallels, most obvious being the herione's name and the presentation of Gabriel as a shepard. The novel is indeed a classic, and both films are worth seeing. Enjoy!

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• Far
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• Madding
• Crowd
• Thomas
• Hardy
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• Schlesinger
• Julie
• Christie
• Alan
• Bates
• Terence
• Stamp
• OneTrueMedia

[firelione]

Could you tell me the source of the illustrations?

[Muirmaiden]

Illustrations are from the novel, and I believe that I got them from one of the Thomas Hardy websites.

[Muirmaiden]

Wonderful news, indeed! Thanks for sharing!

[tenterden16]

What a wonderful video you have created. You have given studio canal a run for it's money. For the third time this company has released this beautiful film in the wrong ratio after stating it as being in 2.35:1. I was one of the first to buy this reissue only to find out it's the same old print.I found your video overture haunting, you have captured the film perfectly. When will we see Far from the Madding Crowd as it was ment to be seen (A remastered print in Panavision format).

[Muirmaiden]

I know what you mean regarding ratio format. And it also needs proper release on region 1 DVD. It's such a beautiful film that needs to be shown in its original ratio. It's such an injustice for film companies to release such glorious epics in horrid prints and pan-and-scan. Glad you liked the video, thanks for the great compliment!

[billysscreeningroom]

One of the greatest and most under-rated Julie Christie performances!

[heliotropezzz333]

Whenever I look up, there you shall be and whenever you look up there shall I be (Gabriel Oak to Bathsheba Everdene)

[rockybrazil1]

Magniricent, the music, the film and your video

[Tribsful]

A perfect blend of story,cinematography and beautiful,beautiful music where Richard Rodney Bennett hascaptured the spirit of Dorset.

[flipwiggins]

Watched it on NBC Saturday Night at the Movies back in 71 or so. Always liked the scene where they stabbed the sheep to keep them from bloating! He-he.

[twworrat]

one of my old time best movies on par with ryans daughter,wuthering heights,whistle down the wind,love them all.

[technischesKO]

really beautiful well done.

macmór

[000266617]

@heliotropezzz333 Yes, I belive Madding means something different from Maddening. Still, I will refer to it as "Far From the Maddening Crowd"

[heliotropezzz333]

@000266617 Madding means something different from Maddening I think. It's an older word too. I've never heard anyone use it in my lifetime

[000266617]

I have always called it "Far From the Maddening Crowd" and no matter what anyone says, I will continue to do so.

[zthetha]

What gorgeous music - haven't seen FFTMC for years but the soundtrack immediately brought back the whole story with superb Bates, Christie, Finch, Stamp cast.

[alnamree]

Please Upload the Full movie.