Far from the Madding Crowd

Gr 9 Up—Paloma Baeza stars as Bathsheba in the adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic 19th-century tale of love and obsession. Bathsheba, an independent and beautiful woman, captures the attention of three men, played by Nathaniel Parker, Jonathan Firth, and Nigel Terry. She takes on the nontraditional role of managing the farm she has inherited, and must prove herself to those working for her. Gabriel Oak, a man from her past, stumbles into her hire and continues to be a faithful friend through years of turmoil and ultimate tragedy. While the movie follows the book closely in action, there are some nuances lost in the portrayal. It is often difficult to understand the inner complexities and motivations of the characters, leaving them a bit one dimensional. Feelings of love and obsession materialize quickly and with little build-up. The period costumes are spot-on and the natural backdrop is breathtaking. This version stands up well against John Schlesinger's 1967 film starring Julie Christie. Purchase where the novel is part of the curriculum.—Rebecca Flannery, Lyman Memorial High School, Lebanon, CT