Compare & contrast the two videos (1967, 1998) of 'Far from the Madding'.

In the first and second video I feel that Troy is very similar and both stay close to the book. I also feel that farmer Oak is better in better in the 1998 film. This because his appearance is closer to the image I had in my mind from the book. I think that he is also a better actor than the actor from the 1967 video.

Overall I think that in the 1967 video the actors have the looks, voices and appearance that suits the times of the book setting but in the 1998 film some of the actors are better in the acting point of view.

The Setting

When the 1967 video was made, they had a huge advantage over the video makers, making the 1998 video. This is because Dorset was rustic, very beautiful and unspoilt, which adds to the many comments that I have about the 1967 video. Don't get me wrong, the 1998 video has lovely backgrounds and scenery. It just did not seem rural enough. The farm and Boldwood's house looks more traditional in the 1967 film to the setting of the book. Also, the equipment and props in the 1967 film is more classical. In the 1967 film, even though technology wasn't great, there were some exceptionally good panoramic views with the cameras.

The scene at Bathsheba's house with the food feast is once again, more traditional in the 1967 film with food, cutlery and dress sense, more authentic to the 1800's. One other scene I want to pick up on in the 1967 film is the circus scene. It's much more realistic and rural to those times than the 1998 film.

Music

There is not much difference between the music, so before I talk about the differences I want to pick up the similarities. For example, for the scene at the church with Fanny's grave, I think that the music is very dramatic and symbolic towards the loss of Troy's loves one. The rain symbolises his feelings along with the music. Overall I feel that in the 1967 video the music and sound effects fit better and the instruments that were used are more authentic and are probably the same instruments used in the 1800's.

The Book & Video

There is one main thing I want to pick up on for this title. That is the picture in my mind. When I started reading the book I got a picture in my mind of the setting, characters and scenery. This image in my head completely changed when I watched the video because some bits were the similar to my image and some weren't. I also feel that it is good to compare your own imagery to that of the two films to see the differences and similarities.