Get set for some serious period drama action in Far From The Madding Crowd (2015), which brought the suitor saturated susurrations of Thomas Hardy’s 1874 classic to life on the big screen for the first time in forty eight years. Where the 1967 adaptation had the piercing gaze of Julie Christie in the lead role of the brilliantly named Bathsheba Everdene, with a little extra character from the legendary Terence Stamp (General Zod from Superman 2), the 2015 iteration opted for the winsome features of Carey Mulligan (Inside Llewyn Davis).
Release date
The film made its way to the big screen on the 1st May 2015 in the UK and you can watch the first of the movie’s trailers below to get a glimpse of what to expect from the new adaptation. Though it is a long way away from being a big 3D blockbuster with advanced special effects there’s clearly been an attempt to make the cinematography as eye catching as possible to make it more of a cinematic outing. The film went on to be released on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download on the 24th August 2015.
Storyline
For anyone that has previously read the Thomas Hardy’s Far From The Madding Crowd, you’ll already be pretty familiar with the plot, but for the non-readers out there it’s a tale of love and passion in the Victorian English countryside. It traces the drama of a willful and self-possessed farm land owner called Bathsheba as she toils with the ups and downs of having three suitors vie for her affections.
Cast
In addition to Carrie Mulligan, Far From The Madding Crowd (2015) also stars Matthias Schoenaerts (The Drop) as the first of her admirers, sheep farmer Gabriel Oak; Michael Sheen (Midnight In Paris) as the second in wealthy land owner, William Boldwood; and Tom Sturridge (On The Road) as the third, Sergeant Frank Troy. Juno Temple (Greenberg) has also been cast in the movie as Bathsheba’s servant Fanny Robin.
Production
The new adaptation of Hardy’s drama has been directed by Thomas Vinterberg, who will have the uphill struggle of being compared to the 1967, John Schlesinger directed masterpiece, which has recently been re-released with the digitally restored DVD, Blu-ray and digital download arriving on the 1st June 2015. It has been produced by Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich, with the screenplay written by novelist David Nicholls (One Day, Us). The production is the work of BBC Films and DNA Productions with Fox Searchlight taking care of the movie’s distribution.
First impressions
You’ve only got to see the likes of Carey Mulligan’s past successes – Shame, The Great Gatsby, Inside Llewyn Davis – to see the potential she brings to Far From The Madding Crowd. Stack that against Hardy’s classic storyline, David Nicholls’ screenplay, and some very stylish cinematography that uses bold colour to add vibrancy to the movie and you’ve got the making of something impressive. However, it also looks like there’s scope for it to fall short, but if you’re a period drama fan it’s probably going to be one of the year’s must see movies.
 release date, trailer and movie details from the film section of Tuppence Magazine, including information about the plot and cast.){kind=link}