Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Far from the Madding Crowd
- Commentary: Yes, I paid attention to the note to myself and scrounged for a copy of this movie. I haven't watched it, yet, I just received it today, but plan on snuggling into it tonight.
This movie is a part of the tidal wave of luxurious English period pieces, more than a few directed by the director of this movie, that appeared in theaters in the late 1960's through the mid 1970's. Not that there aren't many that appeared outside that time frame, there have been (and continue to be). But, during this period there was a peculiar thirst in the (primarily American and British) movie watching public for theatrical stories featuring English actors and English period settings (with complications intact, please). I'm not sure if this movie was the most celebrated one of this group, but it was wildly popular, so popular that, although I wasn't much of a movie attendee during the time it initially hit the theaters (because of where I lived and the island's inavailability of movies and movie theaters), I saw this one during its first run.
Interesting fact about this Thomas Hardy story: It has been made into a movie at least four times (starting in 1915, culminating, so far, in a 2015 version) and the book version, on Amazon, runs to 4+ pages. Its listings may run on for several more pages. I simply continued no further than the fourth.
The book (and story) were so popular when I was in high school (when the movie was released) that we read the book in my Comp Lit class. I vaguely remember enjoying the book, I remember vigorous discussions in class about the differences between the movie and the book, but I also remember imagining the characters, as I read, as each of the gaggle of British movie actors who were featured in the film.
The story has a feminist cast. I remember this being heavily discussed in our Comp Lit class, which shouldn't seem unusual, considering the year we studied it. I also remember, though, being mightily disappointed in the ending of both the movie and the book for this very reason. Although I can't remember if Bathsheba's independence was refuted, in the end, by either presentation, I do remember my disappointment clearly. It crystalized as the knowledge that there was no Alan Bates out there who had, was or would woo me, nor was there a Peter Finch or a Terence Stamp. My independence and feminism, in fact, were considered far from alluring and, at times, abrasive. This issue was not an insignificant part of our classroom discussions.
Anyway, I'll likely write more once I re-watch the movie, so, Dear Reader, stay tuned. I might even be inspired to re-read the book.
Update 1/27/2022: I watched this entire film (it lasts almost three hours) today. Luckily, there were intermissions and entractes (one of each, I think, but I'm not sure) which made for handy make-another-cup-of-coffee breaks. Whew! Very involving, primarily to look at, partially to follow the story. I'd forgotten about that. I'm glad I picked this one up.
Terence Stamp's performance is so enjoyable. I laughed delightedly at his playfully, fiercely erotic sword-play exhibition devised on the spot to woo Bathsheba. I wished his character had been in the film more, even though the story revolved around his involvement with Bathsheba. As I was watching the movie, I made a vow to seek out more of his filmography.
Although all the actors turn in peak performances, in my opinion the four clear standouts are Terence Stamp, Peter Finch, Fiona Walker as Liddy and Freddie Jones, who played Cainy Ball with a zest that provoked a smile from me every time his character appeared. I have no complaints about the other actors. Everyone was in exacting form, whipped into shape, no doubt, by director John Schlesinger, who coaxed outstanding performances from even the minor, minor characters. Yes, I know, Julie Christie and Alan Bates are not mentioned above. The problem, from my perspective, is that all the roles excepting the four I mention in the first sentence of this paragraph, were, well, ho-hum. Even Bathsheba Everdene's independence and "feminism" is, well, very visible, but, frankly, all the female characters had very strong wills. When I realized this, about half way through the movie, another part of me stood and took appreciative notice. I wish I could remember if this female independence was present in the book. I think I may have to go back and reread it, just to satisfy my curiosity about that.
Anyway, I found the film riveting, loads of fun to watch. It made me glad it's a part of my collection. I'll be watching it again. It also whetted my appetite for yet another British movie in the same vein released in the same approximate time period: The Go-Between. Alas, so far, I haven't found a source for the purchase of this one, not Amazon, nor Barnes & Noble, nor anywhere else, unless I want a Region 2 copy that would be of no use to me instead of a Region 1 copy that will actually play on my DVD player. I'm mystified as to why this movie appears not to be available. Ah, well. I'll keep looking.
When I watch a sprawling, well done epic like this one, I realize, once again, how much I love this type of movie and find myself hungering for another, and another ... So, yes I made a short list of epic movies I own that I haven't seen recently: one Dutch, two American and three British. I'll probably be littering tomorrow and my weekend with them. Too bad rain or snow are not in the forecast. My line-up would be perfect for a precipitous weekend+one.
Update 1/28/2022: While pulling a web crawl for The Go-Between to see if I might find a freely available copy to view, I suddenly had a flashback to having watched the movie on Guam when it came out. I'd read the book, not as a class project but because My Florida Sister had become mesmerized by it and I wanted to see what had captured her interest. I enjoyed the book. Then, the movie arrived, I went to see it, and, you know what? Today I remembered my reaction to the film: seething disappointment; which surprised me, at the time. But, now, my memory counsels me, don't look any further, because, again, you won't like what you see. Now, that I'm remembering my initial reaction, I'm wondering if it garnered so much acclaim because it was considered kind of a "Far from the Madding Crowd II" ... only it wasn't. So, that search is over. Thank the movie gods.
BTW, I included far more names in the table below than were necessary because the names of the characters are so fascinating. In many cases (probably most, if not all, I haven't watched the film through that lens, yet) the names are a take on the portrayal of the person. Or vice versa. I'm willing to bet that Thomas Hardy was suggesting both.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Julie Christie Bathsheba Everdene Terence Stamp Frank Troy Peter Finch William Boldwood Alan Bates Gabriel Oak Fiona Walker Liddy Prunella Ransome Fanny Robin Alison Leggatt Mrs. Hurst Paul Dawkins Henry Fray Denise Coffey Soberness John Barrett Joseph Poorgrass Freddie Jones Cainy Ball Peggy Ann Clifford Fat Lady at Circus
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1967
Directed by John Schlesinger.
Labels: dramaE, period6, romance5, spectacle2
