Far From the Madding Crowd

PG-13

Released May 1, 2015

1 hr. 58 min.

Romance

Drama

List

85%

192 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A headstrong Victorian beauty (Carey Mulligan) has her choice of three different suitors: a sheep farmer (Matthias Schoenaerts), a dashing soldier (Tom Sturridge) and a prosperous, older bachelor (Michael Sheen).

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Critics Consensus

Far from the Madding Crowd invites tough comparisons to Thomas Hardy's classic novel -- and its previous adaptation -- but stands on its own thanks to strong direction and a talented cast.

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Audience Member

Slow moving. Her independence blurs good decision making and makes for a flimsy film instead of a love story. Not good.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/24

Full Review

jen s

Sublime cinematography and soundtrack; a classic period film and story. While not my absolutely favorite of the genre, this adaptation has stayed with me and proven to evoke a lasting impression.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/24

Full Review

Kim H

I was so blown away by this film I had to immediately watch it again. Incredible performances, cinematography, score, a devastatingly romantic and sweeping story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/24/23

Full Review

Logan D

In the late 1800s, an independent Victorian businesswoman is not so savvy when it comes to love. The story is predictable. Maybe it wasn't when it was written? Based on the tale by Thomas Hardy, Mulligan impresses in her portrayal of a character I can't bring myself to respect. She ignores the best guy (Schoernaerts) most of the film, falling instead for a clearly self-centered though dashing soldier (Sturridge). Then accepts a proposal from a dull older bachelor (Sheen) just because it would be proper. The cast as a whole is impressive and the cinematography is lovely. I just wish they'd had a meatier story to work with.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/23/23

Full Review

Grace H

Period pieces contain within them a wistfulness that draws the heart out of its shell

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/04/23

Full Review

Daniel G

I didn't read the novel, though it's a classic, so I had no preconceived notions. At some moments almost too slow, but then speeding up, especially at the end, to get to the final scene of bonding between the 2 who were in love since the beginning. I enjoyed it as a period piece, of course, with attractive English scenery. However, Matthias Schoenerts really doesn't look English - stands out a bit, Gabriel Oak.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/30/22

Full Review

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Thomas Vinterberg

Director

Carey Mulligan

Bathsheba Everdene

Matthias Schoenaerts

Gabriel Oak

Michael Sheen

William Boldwood

Tom Sturridge

Frank Troy

Juno Temple

Fanny Robin

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Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

The Blue Lenses

Vinterberg's confident direction and understanding of the radical potential of Hardy's original material combines with the film's remarkable performances to render this well above the usual 'costume drama' book-to-screen adaptation.

Aug 25, 2018

Full Review

Judy Berman

Flavorwire

... the novel Thomas Hardy actually wrote would have made for a much more thrilling film.

Sep 21, 2017

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

But I will say that the cinematography is lovely. The rest is just extremely forgettable.

Rated: C

Sep 1, 2017

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

There is just a great flow to Vinterberg’s version of the Hardy classic and its easy to fall into the beautiful period setting and the simple charm of the story. It also offers another example of Mulligan’s magic as an actress.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 20, 2022

Full Review

Jason Adams

My New Plaid Pants

At just shy of two hours it stuffs in a miraculous amount of story and flies, simply flies, on a great big beautiful pair of gilded wings

Jan 14, 2022

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

An abbreviated retelling of the story. The last version, from director John Schlesinger and star Julie Christie, was one hour longer but Vinterberg brings a luminous energy and modern feel to an old tale.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 3, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

A headstrong Victorian beauty (Carey Mulligan) has her choice of three different suitors: a sheep farmer (Matthias Schoenaerts), a dashing soldier (Tom Sturridge) and a prosperous, older bachelor (Michael Sheen).

Director: Thomas Vinterberg
Executive Producer: Christine Langan
Screenwriter: David Nicholls, Thomas Hardy
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: DNA Films
Rating: PG-13 (Violence|Some Sexuality)
Genre: Romance, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 1, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 13, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.1M
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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