"This is a beautifully shot film with a superb, leading performance from Mulligan"

The last time Far From The Madding Crowd was in cinema’s was in 1967 (starring Julie Christle), and it was hit. Now fast forward 48 years and director Thomas Viterberg brings the story back to the big-screen aiming it at The Hunger Games generation.

Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) is an independent, headstrong woman in Victorian England who attracts three different suitors: Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schonaerts), a sheep farmer; Frank Troy (Tom Sturridge), a handsome yet reckless Sergent; and William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), a mature bachelor.

Mulligan is terrific as Bathsheba as she lights up the screen and you engage with her throughout the film whilst having a great mix of young prettiness and wise intelligence. As well as being head strong, she’s also a bit soft and at her best when Bathsheba is irresponsible. However, half way through she does seem to lose more of her independence as she cares what men think and always asks Gabriel what she should do.

Schonaerts does a decent job as the wise, handsome shepherd Gabriel. The Belgian star’s Wessex accent has a strong hint of Antwerp and is softly spoken but all in all there’s no real depth to the character.

Compare Sturridge and Sheen, as both men have scron sweethearts, each plays emotionally different roles with Boldwood being hurt so badly he simply doesn’t notice the other sex until Bathsheba sends him an insincere Valentine card.

Whilst Troy uses his looks and charm to get his own way, he meets Bathsheba in “the hollow of the ferns”, the solider seduces her with swordplay and the whole sense brings out the mystery and eroticism.

All three men have very impressive facial hair; from Sheen’s thick beard, to Schonaerts’ neat, trim; then there’s Sturridge who pulls off an impressive tash that any man would be proud of.

The film is beautifully shot and you can feel the bright colours of green, yellow and blue you also feel like the sun is hitting your eyes, and altogether Charlotte Bruus Christenson does a superb job as Director of Photography.

This is a beautifully shot film with a superb, leading performance from Mulligan. Recommended.