Thomas Hardy’s novel has already been made into one terrific film, back in 1967, with Julie Christie, Alan Bates, Peter Finch and Terence Stamp. Now director Thomas Vinterberg has fashioned another. The 2015 version is shorter, more compact, and somewhat less passionate — yet Hardy’s slant on feminism and overcoming tragedy in Victorian England remains intact and emotionally powerful.
Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) is both strong-willed and independent, two characteristics that cause her notoriety and disdain in rural England. She inherits a run-down farm estate and determines to make it profitable while trying to avoid marriage to three distinguished men: shepherd Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), landowner William Boldwood (Michael Sheen) and soldier Sergeant Francis Troy (Tom Sturridge). Hardy’s story emphasizes how difficult it is for Bathsheba to maintain any semblance of independence in this environment, let alone find happiness with men who all have different notions of marriage and commitment.
Thomas Vinterberg’s film is beautifully classical, elegantly photographed by Charlotte Bruus Christensen and scored by Craig Armstrong. The only technical issue I had is that it sometimes seems brusquely edited, with a lack of smooth transitions. Other than that, this film is a gorgeous testament to the world that Hardy transcribed, now long past.
What really makes the film work are the performances. Carey Mulligan’s take is somewhat different than Julie Christie’s, but no less worthy. Mulligan makes a fine, rather contemporary heroine, especially in the early scenes on the farm. Matthias Schoenaerts is perfect as Mr. Oak, whom she comes to rely on more than she ever realizes. But the finest performance is by Michael Sheen as Mr. Boldwood, whose feelings for Bathsheba transform everything about his life. I found him to be simply great in the role. Tom Sturridge is serviceable as Sergeant Troy, but his character is the most difficult, and the script doesn’t capture it very well, in my opinion.
Other than the soldier, the script develops these characters and their relationships quite eruditely, considering the formality and sparseness of the dialogue. Because it highlights the struggles of a woman to succeed in a society that merely wants her to conform, this story is more profound than others of its ilk. Hardy is a great writer, Far from the Madding Crowd is a wonderful book, and now there is a second movie version which does it complete justice. ☆ ☆ ☆ 1/2. 20 May 2015.