Far From The Madding Crowd [DVD] [1967]

In many ways the film has not stood the test of time ( Alan Bates in a shepherds smock pretending to play the flute ) but in many other ways , this version of the film is so infinitely superior to the 2015 remake ....the script is far superior , the character of Bathsheba much more believable , and Terence Stamp is just the utter embodiment of Francis Troy .I love the remake too ..the music and the romance and the golden light ...I have seen both versions a number of times as FFTMC is one of my obsessions ( aspergers ) but really you need to see this version to appreciate Thomas Hardys genius . Enjoy !

Absolutely Brilliant Film. In my top ten. Full of passion, tragedy, humour, cruelty and redemption. I'm not sure about different versions of this original version of the film with Julie Christie etc but the film itself is superlative. Just started watching (again) the re-make with Carey Mulligan and it is a sad and hopeless shadow of the original. Casting is all wrong!Watch the original!!!!!!

I've been going through a bit of a Thomas Hardy binge and decided to watch the 2015 remake. After about half an hour I gave up and re-watched this. I don't suppose there's anything wrong with Tom Sturridge , Matthias Schoenaets or Carey Mulligan but they're absolutely no match for Terence Stamp, Alan Bates and Julie Christie. I had such a crush on Terence Stamp in my teens (despite the fact that I was only two years old when this was made) and in this he is utterly devilish and devastating. It's so obvious that Bathesebas will end up with Gabriel but that doesn't matter, it's the journey that counts and with such beautiful scenery it's a journey I will happily take again and again

This review is for the VHS version.I first saw this in the 60s at the cinema and loved it. I had done 'the mayor of casterbridge' at school (not the best introduction to Hardy for a 14 ytr old) and would never have read Hardy again if I hadnt seen this. The three male leads played by Terence Stamp,Peter Finch and Alan Bates are excellent and perfectly portray the three characters in the book. julie Christie was not the right colouring,Bathsheba had very dark hair which contrasted with Fannys fair yellow hair in the book. In the film Christies hair was a sort of light brownish colour and fannys hair was red. However this is the only fault, Julie Christie played the part really well and I cannot think of any other actors of the time who could have done it so well as Bathsheba had to be exceptionally attractive.For some reason this film is rarely shown on TV and last time it was it had a really awful review by a Male reviewer who obviously had not read the book.It would be lovely to see it at the cinema again,Because this is an old video and I am using an ancient video player hooked up to a digital tv I was not expecting it to be top quality. I improved the picture a lot by altering the colour settings temporarily on the Tv as it looked very faded using my normal settings.

This American Release is Region Free. Having seen the remake a couple of weeks ago it was interesting to re-watch the original. For a change the remake received critical approval and my wife and I enjoyed seeing Cari Mulligan in the lead role, whom we thought was better cast as Julie Christie was a bit too glamorous. The two versions follow the same basic plot, though their are subtle differences and the remake is shorter than the original and has changed or omitted some of the key scenes. My wife who read the book many years ago says the original is more faithful to the book. This release has excellent picture and sound. The two extras are a short on location documentary made at the time showing the Dorset locations used plus the trailer. Thoroughly enjoyed re watching this excellent release and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good period drama. Whilst watching it, it was interesting to compare the two versions and it was hard to say which was best.

One of my favourite films.Great flute songs,beautiful landscapes and interesting and realistic portrayals of relationship entanglements and historical working class hardship and prejudices between classes.Desire is the main theme though.Good acting throughout.Lots of sheep and horses!

A beautiful film - cannot - and has never been - beaten. Terence Stamp, Julie Christie and Dorset were never lovelier!

This is a review of the US import, Region 1, NTSC 2009 issue from Warner Home Video.I was guided to order this version having read the review by "Shropshire Lad" and I heartily concur that if you have fond memories of this film then be sure to order this import, which is presented in full widescreen.I own a multi region dvd player capable of playing Region 1 discs but in fact my copy (which is endorsed on the packaging "disc made in Mexico") does not require this, playing happily on several other machines. It arrived from the USA in a matter of days.If memory serves, some critics at the time thought that Julie Christie was a little too "1960's" to be entirely convincing as Bathsheba and I would tend to agree, hence my 4 star rating. I'm looking forward to seeing Carey Mulligan in this role in 2014 as I personally think she is a superior actress and better cast, but I cannot quibble about the rest of the cast here, who are superb and unlikely to be matched, let alone surpassed.